Charleston Downs

A Troublesome Soiree

The Rowley's summer party was conspicuously extravagant. Strings of little orange lamps hovered above us, an afire pearl necklace. The air was heavy with the hum of mingling, and the clatter of glasses, while a quartet band filled the air with a sweet symphony. The centrepiece, as I was slowly discovering everything the Rowley's did had one, was a slate-walled fire pit. It was low, wide and cylindrical, shrouding the party in a golden, hellish orange glow. I stood, affixed to Molly's arm, on show. All the while I was painfully aware that every time I made eye contact with Charlie it was instantly lost, he looked away. It had been like this all night, since the kiss. His cold shoulder was Arctic, a blizzard of silence. Unfortunately, I needed to talk.

"Finn, you've hardly said a word to me since we arrived. Are you not enjoying yourself?" Molly queried, her deep red lips pursing and her big brown eyes gazing up at me quizzically.

"Of course I am sweet, I'm just distracted I'm sorry." I brushed her ebony hair behind her ear and placed a peck on her cheek.

"Is it something Charlie said to you, that boy is forever causing mischief and he was with you for a very long time. I only sent him for a quick message."

"No, no. Don't you fret. It's family business, I promise. Now enjoy your party." I soothed.

"Ok, good. By the way I don't condone you giving him alcohol to drink, he's still young. I shall have to tell you off properly later."

"I look forward to it." I grinned.

"Mr Sutcliffe, don't think you can charm me." She smiled back, her finger tracing my collar buttons.

"Ms Rowley, I rely on the fact." I winked, Molly laughed, but our exchange was cut short by the unexpected greetings from a familiar stranger.

"Wonderful party Molly. Hello Finn." Hailey approached us, dressed in a summery, floral, sun dress. She was flanked by a tall man, with slicked back blond hair. "This is James, James this is Mr Sutcliffe who I moved in to the Heatherfield's summer house."

"It's nice to meet you." I cooed, politely shaking his hand. "I don't believe Hailey mentioned you before."

"Of course I did." Hailey snapped, before breezily adding, "I'm sure you've simply forgotten." We all wore our smiles a little tighter, and they floated away to greet other party-goers. Molly eyed me from my side.

"Shall I ask you what that was about later?" She eventually muttered.

Charlie was unsuccessful in his mission to avoid me the entire night, Molly pulled him over at quarter to twelve.

"Charlie dear, mother needs me briefly will you keep Mr Sutcliffe company while I'm gone? He still hardly knows anybody and I won't have him standing like a lemon the whole time." He swallowed his protest and quietly nodded. We looked aimlessly away from each others gaze until he waved a hand at my empty glass, asking if I wanted another, I said yes. We meandered to the bar my glass was swiftly refilled, in Molly's words 'the best parties are well lubricated'.

"I don't want things to be awkward." The words spilled out after I mustered the courage to speak. Charlie kept his eyes focussed on a fascinating area on the ground.

"I'm not..." His voice was a timid whisper, "I'm not... I'm -". I rested an unwelcome hand on his shoulder, he shrugged it off.

"You're seeing my sister." He hissed, exasperated. "I'm not that way."

"Ok. Charlie, no one is saying you're anything." I held up my hands, one bearing the glass, I surrender, I mean no harm.

"You plied me with drink and then made a move on me, an impressionable young boy." He said it more to himself than to me, like he was rehearsing.

"That's not what happened." My voice was much sterner, colder, than I thought was possible. My hand was on his arm again, this time is wasn't to soothe.

"Yes, it is." His deep green eyes finally met mine, those dangerous orbs.

"No Charlie, you were the one who took an interest in me."

"I'm not interested... in you ...or any men." His eye were tearing up, his quiet voice quivered. The knuckles of his balled up fists were turning white. I knew it would upset him but I couldn't have him start telling lies.

"Your sketchbook tells a different story." His big eyes widened even more, he gasped, shook his head, stepped away from me and raised a single accusatory finger.

"You went through my stuff?"

Meanwhile, Allison slammed her hand down onto the polished oak counter-top.

"I have said my piece Molly, this is not a discussion!" She swiped up the glass tumbler, drinking the remaining trickle of gin. Molly leaned against the far wall of the kitchen, aghast and wiped a lonely tear from her sodden cheek.

"I can't believe you're doing this now Mother, in the middle of the party of all times." Molly rubbed her red eyes, and pulled out pocket mirror to assess the damage.

"I don't like him, I don't want you to have anything more to do with him. He is trouble I can tell." Allison persevered, planting the empty glass down hard.

"I can't do this now Mother, I have a party to host, and a date to host the party with." Molly closed the pocket mirror, dropped it into her bag and marched out.

"After this party I want to see no more of Finn Sutcliffe, do you understand?" Allison called after her.

Charlie glared at me, "You looked in my sketchbook?" However, I didn't get a chance to respond because Molly bounded over.

"Are my two favourite boys getting on famously?" She smiled, though I wondered for a moment if she had been crying.

"Splendidly." Charlie retorted and strode off.

The party ended shortly after that, as people grew tired of their masks, tired of pretending to have fun. I stayed till the very end, being a good helper for Molly. After I bid her goodnight, with a kiss from my busy lips. I took a lonely stroll down to the marina. It was a scene from a noir film, the lonesome moon illuminating the glitter ripples of the sea. I slide my mobile phone out of my blazer's inside pocket, the bright screen dazzling my night-ready eyes. I tapped in my code, and opened my contacts list, scrolling till I found my target. I clicked at the keyboard, composing my plea and sent it. My phone bleeping to let me know the act was done.

"Hi Uncle Davey. Sorry it's been a while, I need to see you asap. Tomorrow if possible, please. I'm having problems again and really would like your advice. Lots of love, Finn."

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