Summer Job

A secret to us

22/09/1992

there was no wedding on this weekend, and instead, all staff were invited to a staff party at the main venue. the invitation was pretty vague however: staff party this saturday. starts at 7 finishes midnight. main venue. 1 plus one per person. see you all there. Maggie x

do i bring my own alcohol? that much wasn't clear, and that's arguably the most important aspect of a party invitation. me being me, however, i don't particularly bother with booze. I'm more into the quicker, simpler way of becoming intoxicated; cocaine.

——

jamie pulled up outside my house for the first time in a while - i was dreading it. picking up my purse, my oversized brown corduroy jacket and the infamous goody bag, i skipped out of the door of the now empty house.

avoiding any confrontation (i didn't want to be in a shitty mood before the party) i began with a positive tone as i stepped into the car: 'hey'.

'hey. you look nice' he commented.

'thanks'. he wasn't wrong, i did look nice. i had my burgundy doc martens on, a low-cut white corset beneath my corduroy jacket, a black pencil skirt and finishing the outfit off with some fishnets.

he pulled up to the overly decorated exterior of the venue house, wishing me a nice evening as i left the car.

and there he was, waiting for me, as if to take me to prom. he was leant against the wall beside the entrance, wearing a black fred perry polo shirt, dark denim jeans and white adidas gazelles; a cigarette perched between his lips to finish off the look. so effortlessly attractive.

'hello darlin' he greeted with a flirtatious intonation, pushing himself away from the wall and flicking his cigarette away.

'hello you' i responded, raising my eyebrows.

his hands slipped into his pockets as he approached me 'you look lovely', he slightly leant back in order to gain full view of my outfit.

'would say the same about you but you look as if you've just come from watching a chelsea reserve game'

'how did you know?' he teased, a wide smile forming on his lips. 'come on then, love' he nudged his head in the direction of the door, taking one hand from his pocket and holding his arm out, gesturing for me to walk past him 'ladies first'.

'thank you' i said with a grateful expression, heading towards the door.

we entered the house only to be met by the booming sounds from a tragic disco dj set in the hallway, partnered with unnecessarily colourful and headache-inducing flashing lights. there were only about a dozen people sat sporadically at different tables set up in the dining room.

'want a drink?' damon asked as he gazed down on me.

'yeah go on then'

'what do you like?'

'surprise me' i said, subtly darting my tongue out of my mouth to wet my lips.

he scoffed. 'alright then', walking off in the direction of the bar.

i made my way over to the tables in the dining room where i noticed alice was sat alone sipping on some water.

'not drinking tonight?' i questioned as i perched myself opposite the dainty blonde.

she shuffled awkwardly in her seat 'i don't drink' followed by a gentle smile.

'oh, my bad' an awkward silence filled our corner of the room. 'how long have you been here for?'