The Party

The Party
“Here we are,” said the taxi driver, “that’ll be £4.80.” I paid him and we picked up our bottles and headed for the front door. The house was set away from the pavement and we could hear the beat of music and see red and green lights flashing in the window. This was the party house, and Jon, Sue and I were invited.
Most of the people were in the kitchen, drinking Asti Spumante. I opened a beer and said ‘hello’ to the hosts, Kevin and Jane. I tapped an old friend, Geoff, on the shoulder and he smiled.
“Long time, no see!” he exclaimed.
“Yes, ‘fraid so, but I’ve been busy,” I replied.
I mingled among the crowd, taking a long slurp of beer. I was fired up for a good time.
Jackie came up to me. We used to know each other at school. She now had two children and a husband, Joe. Her dress was cut quite low. It sparkled and set off her ample bosom. She kissed my cheek and then playfully wiped lipstick from my face.
“You look good tonight,” I said, admiring her features.
“Thanks Pete. It’s good to see you too.”
We reminisced about school days, laughing and joking. She kept pulling at my arm, as if to steady herself. I poured her some more wine and she kissed my cheek again. Her husband, Joe, came over, and our conversation ended. I decided it was time for some music so I headed for the lounge.
‘Ride on Time’, a 1980s favourite was playing. It was loud. Lucky the house stood alone; detatched, with a double garage. I sat on the sofa and took another slug of beer. Sophie, recently separated from her partner, pulled at my arm and shouted “Dancing?” at me. I shook my head as it was too early. But she persisted so I got up and, holding her hands, we danced.
‘Fox on the Run’ by Sweet played. I liked this one and continued to jump around and dance with Sophie. Alison joined us. She had high heels on and I could see the carpet getting scuffed by her movements.
‘No Woman, No Cry’, Bob Marley’s masterpiece added a different vibe. I went to the kitchen for another beer.
Talking to my friends, Jon and Sue, I pulled the ring on a can and quickly emptied the beer into my glass. It frothed up and over the top of the rim, spilling onto the kitchen tiles.
“You two coming to dance?” I asked them.
“Nar!” Jon shrugged. Sue shook her head as if to agree with him.
Beverley appeared. I had known her at school too. She used to go out with my best friend, Kevin, the host of the party. She looked stunning, dressed in a party dress and smelling of violets. She had had her hair cut into a bob since I saw her last. It looked terrific and set off her face beautifully. I felt her warm, moist lips as she kissed my left cheek. I hugged her.
“So good to see you, Bev!” I cried.
She smiled and started chatting.
The party was going well. The kitchen was packed and so was the lounge. People danced and talked and drank.
I danced with Soph again as she was always willing. As midnight approached Kevin turned down the music and we all sang Happy Birthday. A champagne cork popped along with several party poppers. It was Jane’s birthday. That was now official. I could see Kevin kissing her.
‘Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday…’ played. Little Claire Grogan’s voice was joined by the party chorus.
Now it was two o’ clock and a lot of people had left. I sat on the sofa worse for wear and Jane sat down beside me. The music had stopped. I whispered in her ear: “Happy Birfday!” She squeezed my arm.
“Pete?” she said, “I don’t like birthdays.”
She smiled at me and I smiled back. It was a moment before I noticed a tear running down her face. I got up and walked to the kitchen. It was time to leave, I guessed.
Another year older, but still young at heart. Jane was radiant, the life and soul of the party. A great, great host. I said ‘goodbye’ and headed down the moonlit street and home to my own bed.
We always enjoyed Kev and Jane’s parties, they were somehow the highlight of the year. Every year. Friends together, growing older was part of the game. I thought about what Jane had said, but there was nothing any of us could do about it.
“Forty is no age,” I thought, “No age at all. No, no age at all.”
I curled up in bed, put out the light, and before long fell into a deep, peaceful sleep.