Page 37 of Perfect

Tom had called and I rang him back, standing in that special corner of my room to ensure my phone didn’t cut out. I asked him about the party and he instantly offered to take me. Irrespective of my desire to mess with Connor, I suddenly really fancied going; it pulled me away from the house for a few hours. I could actually start to feel that farm smell on my skin and not just my clothes. Something seriously had to give.

Tom said that he’d pick me up at six and I spent the next hour contemplating what to wear, feeling like an evil genius.

Seven

Dad seemed fine when I told him about the call from Tom, he even said what a great lad he was and how he was ‘going places.’ I had decided to take this as a father’s seal of approval. I’d left out the bit about the party of course.

I made the finishing touches to my make-up and grabbed my bag. I’d shed the jeans I seemed to have lived in since my arrival and went for fresh and feminine in a purple strapless maxi dress with a denim jacket. I’d left my hair loose and after some careful coercion, it fell in a sculptured wave over one shoulder.

Glancing in the mirror one last time, I felt very much like the old me.

As I headed for the stairs, part of me hoped I’d bump into Connor, so that he could see me at my best. As usual, he was nowhere to be seen. He only ever seemed to appear when I looked like shit and was totally unprepared. To be honest, it was probably for the best. If he saw me dressed up, my decision to go to the party would be exposed.

I stood on the steps of the house, wondering whether to go back inside. I didn’t want to appear too keen but as I turned, Tom’s car pulled into the yard. It was a Volvo which was typical I thought, reliable and straightforward and the total opposite of Connor’s beat-up piece of crap.

Waving, I scooted forward towards the passenger door but Tom burst from the vehicle and skipped around to open it for me. I grinned. It was a bit on the cringe side but I appreciated the gentleman-like gesture nonetheless.

“You look amazing,” he puffed, as he joined me in the front and turned on the ignition.

I smiled my thanks and commenced with the usual small talk; feeling relaxed and back on my throne again, for the time being anyway.

I had found life on the farm so far to be unpredictable and things could change in a split second, especially if Connor Barratt had anything to do with it.

As Tom steered the car, we spoke about my mum and more about Uni. The conversation flowed naturally and I felt relaxed in his company. I wasn’t throbbing with pleasure or anything, but at least the exchange wasn’t strained or dramatic.

I didn’t mention Connor or ask about the troubles he’d mentioned from past parties. I’d see when we arrived there, so why be nosy and spoil the surprise?

I wondered whether to question Tom about Ella, but didn’t want to sound like a gossip. She was his sister after all.

Tom changed the CD to one of my favourite Cold Play albums which ticked another box, at least he had good taste in music. Connor seemed to prefer Radio Head or music by shit aggressive rock bands.

As Tom pulled the car in through the gates of what had to be Nathan’s house, I felt a strange pulling in my chest and a jet of adrenalin darted into me. I wasn’t sure if it was excitement or worry.

Everything inside me suddenly screamed ‘don’t do it’! Don’t cause yourself unnecessary grief!Thisis the party your overbearing stepbrother has barred you from attending and he’ll probably grass you up the first chance he gets!

Tom parked the car, switched off the engine, and turned toward me with a puzzled look.

“Second thoughts?”

I could feel my heart pumping in my chest. “No, not really. I was just thinking.”

He grinned, understanding slowly wiping away each curious wrinkle on his face.

“If you’re nervous don’t be. We can just drop by for a couple. I’m not sure if Connor said anything but Nate’s parties can get a bit wild. We can just show our faces. Do you drink much?”

His question phased me momentarily as I didn’t drink that much really due to what I saw the stuff do to my mother. The occasional glass at Christmas and that was it.

“Not really. I don’t mind a couple though as you said.” Two would be fine surely. I didn’t want to look like a total prude.

“I don’t drink much either to be honest and especially not at Nate’s dos. Need to keep a level head, plus I’m driving. I’m also working in the morning. Why he holds this party every year mid-week is beyond me.”

His cautionary words and the way he said ‘Nate’s dos’, made my stomach sink further. Would the party be wild with people making out everywhere like at Mathew Mason’s place? That would make Connor right. Anything like that totally wasn’t my scene.

He checked his watch before replying. “It’s early. At this time, it will be fairly mellow. It starts to get messy in the later hours and we’ll be long gone by then.

Don’t worry, I won’t leave you alone at any point,” Tom said reassuringly. “We did think last year would be the last one as the place got trashed. Nate’s parents were away as usual. I wasn’t there but a sight almost broke out, Nathan was going through something and was behaving like a proper dick,” Tom replied with a hitch in his voice.

“I take it Nate’s parents are away again?”

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