She knew she had to leave. Quickly. She should never have come. She should have politely declined the invitation. She didn’t belong here. This all felt so wrong.
Scanning the room, she searched for an escape route. One door led to the kitchen and judging from the laughter coming from there, it was full of guests. The only other door was the one to the hallway. If she could get to the hallway, she could slip out of the front door unnoticed with a bit of luck.
Between her and the door though was her host. He was chatting animatedly, beer in hand, with several guys that she didn’t know. He kept glancing over though as if to check that she was still there. Looking round, she realised that she didn’t know anyone. How had she been talked into this party? She hated house parties. Too many ghosts from her past where she’d been left trying to make polite conversations with wives she didn’t know and had little in common with.
If she left too soon though he’d be offended and that was the last thing she wanted to do. He was the only reason she’s agreed to come.
She had taken great care with her appearance. Now though she felt stupid. He wasn’t going to care about how she looked while he was surrounded by all his friends.
Eventually she saw him excuse himself and head into the kitchen, presumably for another beer. Seizing her chance, she slipped from the room into the hall then out the door.
The cool night air soothed her as it caressed her bare arms. Fortunately, her car hadn’t been blocked in. As she started the engine, she saw light spilling from the open front door.
His gaze followed her as she drove away.
Coral McCallum 