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August 2022, Charley’s home, New Town, Edinburgh
Charley walks around the sitting room to the console table opening one of the bottles chilling in the antlered silver champagne bowl. A passing smile at the decadent pop flutters in the bevelled mirror as she picks up a glass. She holds it up unfilled, distracted by its fineness: the long stem balancing the shape of the flute perfectly. Everything was ready for her friends arriving soon. I need a drink.
Sucking in the overspill as she pours the fizz, its froth playful and persistent, she downs the rest of the glass in one, closing her eyes to feel the burn in her throat before pouring another. Bringing her glass to the sofa, she picks up Mrs Dalloway, left open, pages face-down on the coffee table, God, how James would hate me leaving a book like that, and flicks through without looking. Closing it quickly she drinks more champagne, puts the book down carefully and retrieves her phone. She clicks on the Sonos App, selects Adele and looks back on her notes from her morning walk. Friday, the cat, jumps up, as if on mute, to knead the faux fur throw by her side, his slow hypnotic two-toned purr fast-tracking the effects of champagne on an empty stomach towards a temporary meditative lull. Her notes, Friday and champagne, as ever, focus her mind as she edits her observations from the coffee shop:
Adele was belting out the chorus of Rolling in the Deep at full blast when Jenny arrived. The music a perfect container for Charley’s latent angst. Angst wrapping itself easily around the dramatic rhythm and riff of Adele’s soulful voice; the melody teasing and cavorting with heartfelt lyrics. Charley wallowing in its persistent beat.
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The scars of your love remind me of us. They keep me thinking that we almost had it all. My God, bloody dark in here, Charley! New bulb maybe? The scars of your love they leave me breathless… Let’s have a drink and turn the volume down a bit shall we. Am I the first? I can't help feeling. We could've had it all (you're gonna wish you) So glad to see you, Jenny. I was beginning to think no-one was coming… Wow! And flowers too! Thank you! (Never had met me)… They’re stunning, so colourful, wild! Rolling in the deep (tears are gonna fall) They bloody well should be. Narcissus’ finest! (Rolling in the deep)…they are gorgeous though, aren’t they, couldn’t resist. You need some wild Charley, some old-fashioned cheering up. Put those down and come here. You need a hug. You ok? You had my heart inside (you're gonna wish you)…Oh my, your room looks lovely, as ever…shall I help myself? Could do with a glass of…oh lovely, lovely! Ruinart, Blanc de Blancs, my favourite... Of your hands (never had met me. And you played it (tears are gonna fall) To the beat (rolling in the deep)… Chin chin. See you’ve already started! Looks like we both need it. Can we switch Adele off for now, do you think? Something more cheery tonight, yeah? Is that your hot chilli salmon pâté on those blinis? And, oh, my giddy aunt…your sweet chilli jam too! My favourite. You do know how to spoil an old friend…
Laughing, they settle on the sofa, bringing the platter.
Oh God, that’s better, need some space in my head to think. Sorry to spoil the navel-gazing Adele vibes, Charley. Been a long day at the office. So much shit going on. Brought in a great deal today, only for my boss to claim it herself, ta-daa! Just as I was about to take the client for lunch. Can you believe she joined us. Bloody cheek! Anyway, sorry Charley, what have you been up to? – Sounds rubbish Jenny. Least you closed the deal. Not easy right now. Nothing much going on at my end. You know, just the usual: up early, off on my wanders, reading some Emily Dickinson poems. Just loving – Why on earth do you always wander around in the wee hours of the morning? Can’t you sleep? You need some meds girl! You’ll get picked up, and not by the man of your dreams either! Oh, sorry Charley, I mean…I know you don’t want to talk about relationship stuff tonight. Although I really think we should. Anyway… what’s the point of all this wandering about, this naval-gazing vibe anyway? Hormones need a reset? I’ve got a great doc for that. For everything, actually… You need to get it off your chest - keep a journal, write a book! Who the Dickens is Dickinson anyway? – Yeaahright, Jenny…le’me get the door. Must be Flora…
Just saying to Charley, with all her reading and morning wanderings, she should write a book! Jenny yells from the sitting room as she hears the front door opening.
What a brilliant idea, Flora said walking into the sitting room, bottle of wine in hand, looking around, Julia not here yet? Thought I was late!
I’m here, I’m here! Just arrived, shouts Julia, shutting the door behind her, late getting back from tennis - sorry. Get me one of those quick - I sooo need a glass of THAT! Had to pop into M&S to get dinner for the kids too. Just not organised, as ever. Can’t let them starve while I’m out partying with the girls, can I. They’re driving me crazy just now, she laughs. Thanks Jenny, perfectly chilled too. Chin chin. Here’s to a great night!
They’ll be gone soonenough and you’ll want them backagain, Charley said taking another slug of champagne. Jus’ like me. On ma lonesome most o’thetime. Chinchingirls!
Oh God, Charley...sorry. What’s the latest on James? On everything? Have you heard from the kids? Are you ok Charley? Come and sit down, said Flora, looking up at Jenny.
She doesn’t want to dwell on it tonight, let’s just leave it, the girl just wants to have fun, Jenny said before launching into song, hands swaying in the air: but girls they wanna have fun. Oh, girls just wanna have fun…
Friday jumps from the sofa as Charley sits down, knocking back the remaining champagne in her glass as if to share the sentiment. Suddenly, she folds, sobbing, her face finding refuge in the faux fur throw.