MADE IN ESSEX

‘Are you okay, Chloe?’ Adele butted in; making sure the dark-haired girl heard her loud voice.

Chloe’s chin wobbled and she looked as though she was going to burst into tears. Adele had always been fond of Chloe. Of course, when she’d been going out with Sam, Chloe had only been a young girl, but often she’d sit in Chloe’s room giving her advice on boys in school, curling her hair and doing her make-up. Chloe had always looked up to her and adored her and Adele had felt like she was the little sister she never had.

‘Sorry, is there a problem here?’ Adele asked the bully, sternly marching towards her.

The girl eyed her up and down, weighing her up and looking uncertain whether to carry on with her fabricated story. Her confidence was clearly evaporating by the second since Adele had showed up, and even her friend beside her edged away, as though to state she wasn’t part of it.

‘She’s been giving me dirty looks and I was just asking her about it,’ the girl retorted, attempting to keep up the bravado. The change in her once-authoritative voice wasn’t lost on either of them.

‘I didn’t give you any dirty looks, I swear. Why would I?’ Chloe said, looking frustrated. She turned to Adele with a tormented expression. ‘She won’t leave me alone.’

‘Oh, I think she will,’ Adele asserted, her head held high as she stared at the girl domineeringly. ‘I think you’re done here. And before you go, if I see or hear you ever speaking to Chloe like that again, you’ll have me to deal with and there will be trouble. Understand?’

The girl merely nodded, backing away. ‘Whatever.’

‘Where do you think you’re going?’ Adele scowled, her voice abrasive.

‘Back to the club,’ the girl mumbled, trying to get away quickly.

‘Not before you say sorry to Chloe,’ Adele demanded, folding her arms across her chest and looking down at the bully.

‘Really, it’s fine, Adele,’ Chloe said shakily, her large green eyes glistening.

‘No, it’s not fine.’ Adele’s eyes flicked back to the bully. ‘Say you’re sorry now.’

There was now a crowd in the toilets and girls were pretending to do their make-up so they could watch and listen. The dark-haired girl looked embarrassed and very regretful for ever starting anything now.

‘Sorry,’ she said shamefacedly. She visibly shrunk and turned to walk away after her friends, who had already deserted her.

‘Good, now piss off,’ Adele added in her direction for good measure.

Chloe sighed in relief. ‘Oh my God, Adele! Thanks so much. I thought she was going to beat me up!’

Adele shrugged, ‘No problem. You need to stand up for yourself against bitches like her.’

‘I was scared,’ Chloe said, embarrassed.

‘Never mind, it’s over now, you can relax. How are you? I haven’t seen you for ages.’

‘I’m good. How are you?’

‘I’m fine,’ Adele said washing her hands. ‘I can’t believe how much you’ve grown up. You look lovely.’

Chloe blushed, clearly uncomfortable with compliments. She was still as shy as she ever was and completely unaware of the extent of her beauty.

‘Thanks. You look gorgeous too. I love your long hair.’

Adele smiled. ‘Extensions. I get them done in London where Victoria Beckham used to go. It’s one of the best places,’ she boasted. She remembered how she’d had her awful, natural thin hair when she’d been with Sam back then. How completely clueless she’d been! ‘Where are your friends?’ Adele asked, looking round.

‘In the club on the dance floor,’ Chloe explained.

‘You can come and sit with us, babes. I’m here with my friend Donna who works for Mulberry.’

Chloe looked amazed. ‘Oh really? She works for Mulberry? I’d love one of those bags but could never afford it.’

‘She gives me a discount on them,’ Adele fibbed to impress her, ‘has to keep it quiet though so obviously don’t mention it.’

‘Are you sure you wouldn’t mind if we sat with you? That would be incredible.’

‘Course not,’ Adele said, staring at her flawless make-up. I wonder what mascara she uses.

‘Thanks so much, Adele!’ Chloe was thrilled. ‘I’ll get the others.’

‘We’ve got a table with champers. It’s only Dom Perignon though. We’ve just ordered another bottle.’

‘Oh my God! I love champagne. Thank you so much!’ Chloe’s voice was now an excited squeak.

Adele grinned. ‘Come on then, hun, I’ll show you where we’re sitting.’

They left the toilets and Adele was delighted that they bumped straight into Sam. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect.

*

Sam watched in horror as he saw his little sister approaching him with Adele. What the hell were they doing together? he wondered suspiciously. That’s the last person on earth he’d want Chloe to be hanging around with. Adele smiled in his direction, then whispered something to Chloe, pointed to a table and walked away. Hopefully that would be the end of their chat, he prayed, remembering how close the two of them had become when he was dating Adele. Of course, back then he didn’t realise what a vindictive and manipulative cow Adele was.

After downing shots all night, Sam realised they were finally taking the desired effect. The only problem was, try as he might, he couldn’t get Jade out of his head. If he’d checked his phone once, he’d checked it a million bloody times and she still hadn’t contacted him. He was feeling more angry and hurt at how she kept blowing him out with every drink.

‘Hi,’ he said to Chloe as she made her way over to him. He hated how much older she looked recently. She’d started to wear a bit more make-up too and he wasn’t a fan. He’d have to keep an eye on her. There was certainly no denying how beautiful she was. He’d even caught his own mates checking her out on several occasions, which made him feel nothing but sick. It was as though his sweet, innocent sister had developed into a woman overnight.

‘Hi,’ she said, looking pleased to see him.

Sam’s eyes flicked to Adele then back to Chloe. ‘What were you doing with Adele?’

Chloe squinted. ‘I ran into her, why?’

‘Keep well away from her. She’s nothing but trouble.’

Tears formed in Chloe’s eyes.

‘What’s wrong?’ Sam asked, baffled.

Chloe hesitated. ‘It’s just this girl and her friends started on me in the toilets. I hadn’t done anything, but she pushed me really hard and said I’d been giving her dirty looks. She was much bigger and older than me and I was really frightened. Adele saved me. She was in the toilets and overheard. I don’t know what would have happened if it wasn’t for her.’

Sam nodded, furious that anyone would dare start a fight with his inoffensive sister, who wouldn’t harm a fly. Thank goodness Adele had been there to rescue her. ‘You could have come to me. I would have sorted it. Where are these girls that started on you? Can you see them now?’ Sam asked. He would give them a piece of his mind if he could.

‘I couldn’t come to you. I didn’t even know you were here,’ Chloe said, looking round. ‘No, I can’t see them, but it’s fine now. They won’t bother me again. Adele has made sure of it.’

Sam nodded, his earlier thoughts of Adele being nothing but bad news slowly disintegrating. She’d helped Chloe when she desperately needed it, despite him being completely rude to her when he first walked in. She could easily have left her. She hadn’t seen Chloe in years and owed her nothing. Was she really as bad as he thought? So she’d made up a few lies about Jade in the past. Perhaps, she hadn’t liked the thought of him with someone else. Sam was her ex-boyfriend, it was only natural. Maybe he shouldn’t treat her so dismissively in future. Maybe she’d changed and grown up a bit? She’d saved his sister from being beaten up tonight and he’d always be thankful for that.

‘I’m going to find my friends,’ Chloe explained. ‘Adele has invited us to sit on her table.’

Sam felt relieved. Chloe would be safe with Adele and he wouldn’t have to keep checking she was okay all night. His sister being old enough to go clubbing was nothing but a worry. Especially when she looked like Chloe did.

‘Okay, if you need me, come find me,’ he said.

Sam couldn’t enjoy the rest of his evening, no matter how hard he tried. He hadn’t eaten dinner seeing as he’d planned to go with Jade and the drinks were going straight to his head. He looked over to see Chloe and her friends who were now sitting on Adele’s table. How kind of Adele to include his eighteen-year-old sister and her friends. He was sure they must be cramping her style, but it didn’t show. As Chloe and Adele laughed about something together, Sam turned to Steve.

‘Mate, I think I’m going to make a move. I’m smashed and don’t really feel in the mood.’

‘You absolute boring lightweight,’ Steve joked, slapping his back. ‘Only joking. See you tomorrow at the footy match. You want to sober up or you’re going to play shit. A few of us are going to Nu Bar after tomorrow’s game if you fancy it?’

‘Yeah, should be able to. Call me tomorrow,’ Sam replied and then left when the brunette girl Steve had been chatting up all night started talking to him again.

He staggered over to Adele’s table and she noticed his arrival instantly and smiled as though she was expecting him. See, she was being quite nice, maybe she was different now? He leant over to her.

‘Can I have a quick word, please?’

Adele jumped up. ‘Of course, babes.’

He walked off to a quiet spot by the bar, where they’d be able to hear each other better.

He felt his head spinning and propped himself on the bar for support. ‘Look, I spoke to Chloe a while ago and she told me how you stuck up for her in the toilets. I just wanted to say sorry for being such an idiot to you at the beginning of the night.’

Adele nodded, gently touching his toned arms. ‘It’s fine, honestly. I would always stick up for Chloe. We go way back.’

‘I really mean it,’ Sam slurred, ‘thanks so much. Chloe’s so young and naïve and I appreciate that you were there for her when she needed someone. I was so rude to you earlier, but there’s more to it.’

‘What’s up Sam? You can tell me,’ Adele probed, fluttering her eyelashes, her look a face of concern.

‘Me and Jade are having some slight issues,’ he blurted, not even considering who he was talking to. It felt good to confide in someone. It was a release to just say it out loud.

‘What kind of issues?’ Adele asked surprised.

‘She has this new business. It sounds ridiculous, because of course I want her to do well. I’d help her in any way I possibly could. There is nothing I wouldn’t do for that girl, but lately she just has no time for me at all. Like tonight for instance. We were meant to be going out and she just blew me off last minute.’

‘She’s just busy, babe,’ Adele replied. ‘What’s the business? Tell me everything about it. It sounds interesting.’

Sam waved his hand dismissively. ‘Oh, it’s some swimwear thing. I won’t go into it. I just feel a bit down, you know? Am I being pathetic?’

Adele thought for a minute. ‘No babe, you’re not being pathetic. The more I think about it, I agree with you. It shouldn’t matter how busy Jade is, you should always come first. I know you always came first with me, when we were dating. And I think you have a serious right to be pissed off with her.’

Sam nodded in agreement. ‘She’s always late to meet me recently and never answers her calls or texts me back for hours. All I want to do is just be with her and spend time with her. She’s the first girl I’ve ever loved …’ He stopped what he was saying, not knowing how Adele would take this news.

She laughed at his worried expression. ‘Sam, please! You don’t have to worry about me, hun. We were practically kids when we went out! If it makes you feel any better, I didn’t love you either.’ She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes, which gave her away. He’d clearly hurt her feelings.

‘I won’t bore you any longer anyway,’ Sam muttered, feeling slightly awkward. ‘I’ve said too much. I’m drunk and need to make a move.’

‘Well you can’t leave Chloe; you’ll have to drop her at your mum’s. Your flat is in Chigwell, isn’t it?’

He nodded.

‘Perfect, then I’ll come in the taxi too.’

*

Jade had been tossing and turning in bed for the past hour. She had so much on her mind and was finding it almost impossible to sleep, despite feeling exhausted.

She’d learned how to do the admin section of their website with ease and had picked the whole thing up quickly, but even still, hadn’t got home until gone ten o’clock. Tony kept remembering problems they might encounter and had to teach her how to fix them, seeing as he wouldn’t be in the country to help. They could still contact him, but he was going to Australia and there would obviously be a huge time difference. He’d suggested they open a bottle of wine at one point and even though Jade had felt like saying yes, she wanted to make sure she had a clear head so she didn’t forget anything. Something told her that Sam wouldn’t be too impressed either if he knew she was drinking with Tony and it hadn’t felt right. She was glad she had stayed now so she knew exactly what to do; it meant they could get started as soon as possible. She’d agreed a photo shoot for the following week, so they would need to have a sample of every bikini in their collection made by then. They also needed a model and Jade had the perfect idea. Sam’s younger sister, Chloe, would be ideal. She was slim, tall, busty and absolutely stunning. The bikinis would look amazing on her and she was certain she’d love to do it too. She was a lovely girl and really friendly and it was easy to tell she was related to Sam. Perhaps Lisa would model too, she thought, and then they’d have a blonde and brunette. The photographer looked brilliant and she was so thankful for Tony and his contacts as he’d agreed to give them a discount if they used him regularly.

She wondered how Sam’s night had been. He’d seemed so angry when she went to his flat that she hadn’t wanted to contact him and pester him. She was probably the last person he had wanted to hear from. It was the first blip in their relationship and it was horrible. She didn’t want things to go wrong and decided she would have to start putting him first and considering him more. She couldn’t keep forgetting their plans and turning up late to meet him, it wasn’t on. She didn’t want a successful business but no Sam, did she? The thought made her stomach flip over with fright. She’d organise something special for him this week to apologise for her behaviour. He had to forgive her. She had just wanted to do well in her career; it wasn’t a personal attack on him.

As she closed her eyes she realised that she’d have to go over to see Sam tomorrow anyway, even though he told her he was busy. He wouldn’t have his football match until the afternoon, so she’d go round first thing in the morning. She’d stupidly left her red notebook round his house when she’d gone there to inform him she couldn’t go out and had had to write all her notes on some paper Tony had given her. She’d add the notes to her notebook tomorrow when she got it back, she told herself. After all, it contained everything about their business in it.

*

Adele strolled into Sam’s flat, impressed not only with its tidiness but also its modern décor. From the stunning French limestone floor to the spacious, luxurious kitchen with black marble surfaces it was every bit the perfect home. She secretly even preferred it to her own flat. It wasn’t as large, but for some reason it had a welcoming, homely atmosphere.

‘Nice place,’ she said, looking round.

‘Thanks,’ Sam murmured. He looked confused in his drunken state as he narrowed his eyes. ‘I still don’t understand why you got out at mine though? Why didn’t you get the taxi to drop you to yours?’

Adele tried to think of a good lie. ‘The taxi man said we only said it would be two stops on the way back and seeing as we dropped Chloe back and then you, he wouldn’t drop me and told me to get out.’

Sam had fallen asleep in the taxi and Adele had found a perfect opportunity to get back at Jade for snubbing her. She knew he didn’t have a clue what was going on and even better, he would never remember.

‘Well, just call a taxi,’ he mumbled, as he lay down on his cream leather sofa and started to fall asleep.

‘Sam,’ Adele giggled, ‘you can’t go to sleep there, silly. Here, let me help take you to bed.’

He moaned as she tried to pull him up by his arms.

‘Leave me,’ he croaked.

‘Come on,’ Adele said, yanking him harder until he eventually gave up and followed her. She took him into his room and helped him on the bed, knowing Jade would kill him if she could see what was happening. The thought made her smile. Sam was, yet again, about to fall into another one of her traps. As he started to snore softly, Adele looked around his room. He had a photo of him and Jade in a silver antique frame on his window sill. They were both smiling and Jade looked beautiful, Adele acknowledged enviously. They were the most annoyingly perfect couple. She couldn’t believe that Sam had confessed Jade was the only girl he’d ever loved? What did Jade have that she didn’t? When was Adele going to meet someone perfectly suited to her? She hardly ever met anyone she liked. She wanted someone good looking who had money. None of this ‘I’ll take you out to Prezzos for a meal’ crap either. She wanted to be wined and dined in the poshest West End restaurants, taken away for the weekend abroad on a luxury yacht and driven around in a Ferrari. It was what someone like her deserved and she wasn’t settling for anything else. She had to admit that Sam was doing well for himself. She’d heard through the grapevine that he worked as a stockbroker in London and was earning good money, as well as getting hefty bonuses. He must be doing well, judging by his flat, Adele thought, as she nosed around. Jade was a lucky girl.

She spotted the red diary on the end of his bed thinking she’d hit the jackpot. This couldn’t be true. Sam had a diary? This was turning out to be the best night ever! As she picked it up, expecting to read his deepest darkest confessions, her mouth dropped open as she read the title ‘Vajazzle My Bikini’ in girly handwriting. As she turned the pages, her heart beat faster and she beamed in ecstasy. This was a million times better than finding Sam’s diary! This was Jade and Kelly’s notebook with every single detail about their new business! She found details of where they bought their bikinis from, all their designs, a photographer they were going to use, advertising ideas, fashion shows they’d planned to attend and every other thing they’d done so far. She wouldn’t have to do hardly any work now! She could just copy everything they’d done and use all their contacts. This was fantastic! Adele couldn’t wait to tell her dad the next day and start getting her website built. She could buy all the same accessories to decorate the bikinis with now she knew the website they purchased them from, and just slightly change the designs. She could do better than them anyway, she thought, as she flicked through Jade’s sketches. Luckily she’d used a fairly big bag tonight, she decided, as she slipped the notebook in her beige Hermès leather tote. Not that Sam was going to wake up and catch her, she realised, trying not to laugh as she slipped the notebook in one of the compartments. She was elated. This was a dream come true coming here tonight.

She walked over to Sam and looked down at his peaceful-looking face. He was fast asleep. She slowly began to unbutton his shirt, praying she wouldn’t wake him. Luckily, he didn’t even move. He was far too drunk to ever remember anything even if he did wake up, Adele told herself, banishing her nerves. She was safe. Before she knew it, his shirt was off and she was unbuckling his belt and pulling his jeans down. She moved the bed covers from underneath him and put them on top. As she peered under the covers at his tanned, toned, athletic body she wondered whether she should remove his boxers or not. She decided she should. Well, she had to make it look real if she was going to pretend they slept together.

CHAPTER 4

Lisa spotted Nicola instantly. Her long platinum blonde hair was easily recognisable, even from a distance. She was wearing leather trousers with a baggy snakeskin blouse and gigantic black sunglasses, despite it being cloudy. It was always weird seeing Nicola wear normal clothes; working for a television company they didn’t have to wear suits, but had to dress fairly smart still. It also never ceased to amaze Lisa how professional Nicola was at work; she changed her voice so much that her Essex accent was almost undetectable, and she was completely serious and hard working. It was as though as soon as she left the office she could relax and be her true self. Lisa was meeting her in Chigwell to view their new flat and was really excited to see her room, which Nicola had told her she’d love. Nicola had been overjoyed when she’d told her she wanted to move in and they’d spent most of their day at work looking at the Zara Home website, deciding on what bedding they were going to buy and getting ideas about how Nicola should decorate. Then they’d discovered Kylie Minogue bedding and had fallen in love. Lisa had already bought two Kylie bedding sets; one stunning gold with diamanté cushions to match and a gorgeous white set with lace trim and a beautiful throw. It had cost a fortune, but it would look great, Lisa consoled herself.

‘Morning, honey!’ Nicola grinned as she reached her.

‘Hi,’ Lisa smiled, ‘nice shades.’

‘Thanks. I know it’s not sunny but they’re my new Tom Fords and I wanted to wear them. Ahhh, you brought Cupcake! Her little pink top is so cute!’ she flapped. ‘Oh, it has diamonds on it, how amazing?’

Lisa let Nicola stroke her dog, who she was carrying in her arms. She had to wait until she’d had all her jabs at the vet’s before she could let her down and walk her.

‘She’s got a whole wardrobe of outfits,’ Lisa laughed. ‘You really don’t mind me moving the dog in?’

‘Babe, are you kidding? She’s so cute. How could I not want her in our flat?’

‘I suppose so,’ Lisa said, following Nicola through the gates to the building. There was a big sign saying ‘Manor Hall’ on the side of the wall. Not only did the building look lovely from the outside, but even the stairway, walls and carpet looked fresh and clean. So far, so good, Lisa thought happily.

They walked to the first floor and Nicola stopped outside number ten.

‘Here we are,’ she sang, ‘home sweet home.’

The front door swung open and Lisa stood there, amazed. It was beautiful!

‘Wow. I love it!’

‘It’s got underfloor heating and state-of-the-art surround sound and everything!’ Nicola said enthusiastically. ‘How lucky are we to be living in this place? I can’t believe this is my flat!’

‘Show me my room!’ Lisa said, putting Cupcake down, who sprinted up and down the floor, relishing her freedom.

Lisa was delighted when she was taken through to a gorgeous room, which even had its own en-suite bathroom.

‘Do you like it, babe?’

‘I absolutely love it!’ Lisa said as she took everything in. ‘We are going to have so much fun being single here!’

‘I know,’ Nicola agreed. Her eyes darkened. ‘Do you like being single? I mean, you’re happy aren’t you?’

Lisa sat down on the bed, wondering why she was asking her. She thought for a moment. ‘Yes, I love it at the minute. It’s nice not having to worry about anyone else.’

Nicola sat down next to her and became a bit serious all of a sudden. ‘I have to tell you something.’

Lisa felt anxious and fiddled with her bracelet. ‘What’s up?’

‘What did you say the name of your ex-boyfriend was?’

‘Jake. Jake Sutcliffe, why?’

Nicola nodded as though she was expecting to hear that. ‘I thought that was him. I got my nails done today before I came here and my nail technician, Katy, she was going on about her new boyfriend and how he proposed to her last weekend.’