Watch, Wait, Take

Chapter 19. The guests

The party was now in full swing, guests where mingling and drinks where flowing, the horderves where going down well, they tasted amazing! So simple, but so flavourful. A symphony of flavour popped around in your mouth.

Soft music played in the background, the kind that usually is played in posh restaurants or elevators or when you are on hold on the phone with a customer service line. The party was classy but casual and the guests where all lovely and welcoming. I was still suspicious of everyone, I don’t trust anyone until I have a reason not to like most people, I can’t afford to, I have to have the opposite mind set, don’t trust until you have a reason to. Unfortunate, yes. Sad, very. Unfair, maybe. Safe, definitely!

Laughter filled the room from privet convocations happening all around me, I was sipping on coke and wasn’t mixing very well with the other guests. I was introduced to them all as they arrived and we had a brief concoction, polite but just small talk, I didn’t really connect with anyone and to be honest, I’m not looking to. I can’t.

“Emma! Hey Emma. I would like to introduce you to two more people that arrived” called Lauren as she made her way over to me.

“This is Leah” she said gesturing to a slim, tall, pretty brunette girl on her right. “And this is Arabella” she gestured to a petite, slim, beautiful girl on her left. “These are the other two girls who I have hired as beauty therapists for my salon. Girls this is Emma, you will be working together in the salon” she smiled at us. The girls had kind faces and where very welcoming. We chatted a little before Lauren went to the kitchen to check on the food, the smells coming from the kitchen where sensational!

I got on well with both Leah and Arabella, but Emmy guard was still up and I was very conscious of our conversation and what I said, I would have to remember it later.

Lauren entered the room again and asked if anyone needed another drink, a few got another one when the bell rang and Lauren went to answer the door, suddenly there was a loud, high pitched shriek from the front door which made the whole room fall silent. I heard my breath, frozen in place, my heart was beating rapidly, my adrenaline kicked in and I was looking for a way out, my legs went week and shaky and I couldn’t move or think, I was trapped!

Laughter came from the front door next, the guests went back to talking again, my heart still hammering, I felt a little relief but my adrenaline was high and I was still shaking. I exhaled a huge sigh of relief and Leah and Arabella looked at each other, my hand went to my chest while I gulped the air drinking the oxygen trying to slow my heart beat.

“Sorry, I’m no nervous to meet all these new people, I thought something was wrong when she squealed” I said to the girls taking a sip of my coke.

“That’s ok, no need to apologise. I understand it’s a bit daunting moving to a new place where you know no one and coming to a party with a load of people and not knowing any of them” Arabella smiled kindly.

“Have you met everyone?” Leah asked

I relaxed a little, “I met everyone as they arrived but I only knew Joe really, and Lauren of course. Everyone has been so nice and welcoming” I said looking round the room.

“Good, everyone is nice, if you ever need help anyone in this town would be more than happy to help” she smiled “especially us” she added gesturing to herself and Arabella.

“Thank you, that means a lot. I’m finding my feet still at the moment, but I will bare that in mind” I smiled at both girls and took a sip of my coke.

Lauren entered the room again, and headed over to where we where standing. “Emma, this is Chad, Chad this is Emma” I glanced over her shoulder to see Chad the taxi driver standing behind her, I smiled brightly at him, and was about to say we have met before, but Chad got there first, “it’s a pleasure to meet you Emma! Welcome to the neighbourhood!” He winked at me. “Thank you Chad. Everyone here is very nice” I smiled back.

“Ok everyone, if you would like to take your seats, dinner will be served! I have put names on places for ease but please feel free to shuffle around if you wish.” She breezed back into the kitchen as we all made our way to the table to find our seats.

“Emma! Over here!” Yelled Chad, “you’re next to me and Lauren”