Arriving at work on Friday morning, I opened my email, and the first message that caught my eye was an invitation to the firm's annual summer party, which would be taking place the following week. I replied immediately, accepting the invitation, and went on with my work.
A few minutes later I glanced up to see Jenny walking past, and I caught a hint of her familiar perfume.
"Hi, Jenny," I called.
She smiled. "Hi, Tim. You OK?"
"Great, thanks. Are you going to the party next week?"
She shook her head. "Busy that night."
I tried to conceal my disappointment. "OK."
She continued to her desk and sat down, her back to me, and I watched her working for a moment, then turned back to my own screen.
I heard the beep of the swipe card reader, and glanced up to see the familiar figure of my boss coming through the door. She was wearing her usual tailored suit, her blonde hair immaculately brushed and caught back in a gold clasp.
"Morning, Tim," she said, starting to unpack her laptop.
"Hi, Helen," I replied, turning my chair to face her. "What have we got on today?"
We spent a few minutes talking about work, then as casually as I could, I asked, "Are you planning to go to the party next week?"
She smiled. "Sorry – something else I have to do that evening."
I looked glum, and said with a mock-dramatic flourish, "Oh no! Who am I going to talk to?"
I moved back to my desk and started on the work Helen had assigned me. The rest of the day passed quickly, and at the end of the afternoon I made my way home.
The next day – Saturday – I went down into town and looked around the various charity shops. The party was on a beach theme, and I thought I'd find the loudest shorts and shirt I could. My search was soon rewarded, and I returned home with my purchases.
The day of the party came, and I went home from work to shower and change, pulling on the shorts and t-shirt and putting on a pair of sandals. I walked down to the party venue – a club with a bit of a reputation for wildness.
When I arrived at the club, I went to the bar and got a drink, sitting down on a stool at the bar while I waited for other people from the department to arrive.
After a few minutes, the door opened and a couple of the younger girls from the office arrived. Beth wore a short summer dress, while Jo had chosen a sleeveless T-shirt and shorts combination that left little to the imagination.
They waved at me, and came over to the bar to get drinks. "Hi, Tim," said Beth. "You on your own?"
I nodded. "Mind if I tag along with you two for a while?"
"Great," she said. We took our drinks and headed up the stairs to the main area, where the floor was already filling up with people dancing.
We stood at the edge of the room for a while, sipping our cocktails, then Jo drained her glass and said, "Come on, you two. I want to dance."
I finished my drink and followed her, Beth behind me.
We found a space, and I watched with appreciation as the girls danced enthusiastically.
After a few minutes, I said, "Another drink, you two?"
Beth nodded. "Breezers would be great."
I threaded my way through the dancers, and went down the stairs to the bar. When I returned with the drinks, Beth and Jo were sitting at a table at the side of the dance floor. I took the empty seat between them, and put the drinks down on the table.
Beth took a long pull at her bottle, then handed it to Jo. Jo drank, then offered it to me.
I grinned, and finished the bottle. As I put it down, I felt a hand rest gently on my thigh under the table. I glanced up at Jo, and she grinned at the surprise on my face as Beth put her hand on my other leg.
"You can't fool us," she said. "Beth and I see the way you look at Jenny."
