MADE IN ESSEX

‘It was Kelly,’ Jade nodded in her direction.

‘I’d never have guessed,’ Lisa smiled warmly.

‘Come on then, what’s the surprise?’ Kelly beamed.

No sooner had she asked, Cupcake started to cry, unfamiliar with her new surroundings.

‘Oh my God. What’s that in your bag?’ Kelly asked eagerly, standing up.

‘Girls,’ Lisa pulled the puppy out of her bag, ‘meet Cupcake.’

‘Oh she’s gorgeous!’ Jade said in shock, her voice high pitched as she moved nearer to stroke the dog.

‘Oh. My. God. Shut up! I’m in love! Where did you get her? Please say she’s yours? She is beauts!’ Kelly practically grabbed her out of Lisa’s hands.

‘My mum and dad finally agreed to let me get a dog!’ Lisa said happily, ‘which is quite strange actually, because I’ve just decided to move in with Nicola.’

‘What? Where to? It better not be anywhere far away?’ Jade asked quickly, slightly worried.

‘It’s not. Nicola has bought a flat in Chigwell and it has a spare room I’m going to rent.’

‘Hello, gorgeous little girl,’ Kelly was saying in a squeaky baby voice as she stroked the dog lovingly.

‘She’s so cute!’ Jade said, tickling her behind her ears, ‘let me have a hold.’

‘So when are you moving?’ Kelly said, passing the dog reluctantly to Jade.

‘Well I think Nicola is moving in straight away. So I suppose I can go as soon as I want. I haven’t even told my parents yet, but I’m sure they’ll be fine about it. She only asked me today and I’ve decided to definitely do it.’

‘What’s the flat like?’ Jade enquired, her eyes remaining firmly on the puppy.

‘I don’t even know yet. I think it’s meant to be quite big though. Nic’s bought it and I’ll be paying her rent each month.’

‘That’s great,’ Kelly said before she turned back to look at the dog, ‘you can have a moving-in party. Jade, let me hold Cupcake again please.’

‘You two won’t need to fight over her, don’t worry,’ Lisa grinned wryly. ‘I thought you two could dog-sit during the day when I’m at work, seeing as you’ll both be working from home. What do you think?’

Jade and Kelly looked at each other.

‘I think yes!’ Kelly almost screamed. ‘You don’t understand how much I’m going to spoil her. There is this amazing dog’s boutique down Queens Road in Buckhurst Hill. We can get her some gorgeous little Juicy Couture outfits and diamanté collars.’ She looked at the dog and put on her baby voice again, ‘You’re going to make all the other dogs jell, aren’t you, Cupcake? In fact, I’m going to call her Princess Cupcake. She’s far too important to just have one name.’

‘Will she be okay here all day do you think?’ Jade asked, slightly concerned. ‘Won’t she get bored?’

Lisa waved her hand casually. ‘She’ll be fine. All they do is sleep and sit on your lap the lady said. Apparently they’re really easy to house train too, so she’ll be clean in no time. Oh, I’m so glad you’ll have her. I didn’t know what to do otherwise!’

Kelly hugged the dog to her chest. ‘Babe, we’re going to love having her all day, aren’t we Jade? I’ll dog-sit anytime! Can’t believe how amazing she is!’

‘Thanks. I can’t stay long,’ Lisa explained, ‘I have a date tonight.’

‘With the same bloke you went out with the other night? James?’ Jade asked.

Lisa looked up at the ceiling thoughtfully and then finally answered ‘James? Oh no, not him. I’ve gone off him since he turned up to the date bright orange.’

‘What?’ Jade cried.

‘He’d clearly had a spray tan,’ Lisa shook her head remembering it, ‘and not a very good one either.’

‘Lisa, there’s nothing wrong with a man having a healthy-looking glow with the help of fake tan,’ Kelly chipped in. ‘Do you have his number? I’ll text him to come to me next time.’

‘Trust me. He was the colour of a tangerine and he was wearing a white shirt that made it look even worse!’ Lisa exclaimed, closing her eyes as if trying to block out the memory.

They laughed.

Lisa continued. ‘I’m going on a date with this guy called Alex, and for once he’s not from Essex. He lives in Hertfordshire and I met him in London.’

‘What’s he like?’ Jade enquired.

Lisa exhaled. ‘That’s the problem. I’m not too sure. He’s got dark hair and blue eyes … or were they brown?’

‘Well, good luck with him,’ Kelly said kindly. ‘What are you doing tomorrow?’

‘Nothing,’ Lisa replied, ‘why?’

Kelly’s eyes gleamed with excitement. ‘We’ve a hundred per cent got to go shopping for Princess Cupcake.’

‘We’ve got a meeting with Tony tomorrow, remember?’ Jade reminded Kelly.

Kelly scrunched up her nose. ‘Oh yeah. What time?’

Jade looked through her red notebook. ‘Five o’clock. I suppose we have plenty of time then to go shopping and for lunch. Deffo count me in.’

‘Ah thanks girls! This is going to be so much fun,’ Lisa smiled. ‘Right, I’d better go then.’

‘Good luck with Alex,’ Jade said.

‘Thanks.’ Lisa opened the dog bag and turned to Kelly. ‘Okay Kelly, hand Cupcake back now.’

Kelly didn’t move or even acknowledge she’d heard.

Lisa repeated herself, her voice louder. ‘Kelly, hand me back the dog please.’

There was still no response.

Lisa took a deep breath. ‘Kelly! You can see her tomorrow. Give her back!’

Kelly handed her back with a sulky pout. ‘Okay, okay, fine.’ Then she looked thoughtful for a minute. ‘It’s lucky you got a girl actually. I remember Lord McButterpants used to hump everything in sight until we had him circumcised, especially my cream Ugg boots.’

Jade and Lisa burst into laughter.

‘Kelly, do you mean castrated? It’s only people that get circumcised, silly! Not animals!’

Kelly grinned, before laughing with them. ‘Oh come on, you know what I mean.’

*

The following day, the girls were walking down Queens Road, with Cupcake securely in the pink bag over Kelly’s shoulder.

‘Make sure you don’t trip over and drop her in those shoes,’ Lisa said, concerned by Kelly’s four-inch black Jimmy Choo heels, which she was wearing with shiny black skinny jeans and a black peplum top with a diamanté collar.

‘Stop worrying. I would never fall over,’ Kelly said confidently, jutting her chin skywards. ‘I’ve been wearing heels since I was about seven.’

‘I doubt it,’ Jade frowned.

Kelly turned to her sharply, appalled that it was being questioned. ‘Yes I have, actually. I had black patent Kickers remember? They were big thick heels. We were in Mrs Horne’s class, so we were seven.’

‘Oh my God, so you were,’ Jade remembered, shaking her head in disbelief.

‘I might get a blow dry while we’re down here too,’ Kelly announced, as they passed a blow dry bar.

‘Going somewhere tonight?’ Lisa asked.

‘Me and Bill are going to go for a nice meal somewhere. I always like to look nice for him. I’ve had a spray tan as well,’ Kelly explained as she looked down at her bronzed arms.

Jade glanced at Kelly, who looked tanned, as she always did. Jade didn’t even know Kelly’s natural colour at all anymore; she never went out without a bit of fake tan and though Jade hated to admit it, neither did she nowadays. At Jade’s uni, in Bath, it had been a different story. Jade wasn’t even sure if she had owned any fake tan for the three years she was there.

‘What about you, Jade?’ Lisa asked.

‘Just going to the cinema with Sam. How did your date with Alex go, by the way?’

‘Mmm … he was okay,’ Lisa said thoughtfully. ‘I haven’t fallen head over heels for him or anything. He’s nice, but I really wasn’t keen on his shoes.’

Jade and Kelly laughed heartily.

‘You can’t not like someone because of their shoes!’ Jade exclaimed. Lisa was so fussy, she thought, but as she glanced at her, with her beautiful shiny long dark hair, slender legs and striking coffee-coloured eyes, Jade realised she could afford to be.

‘Well I didn’t really like his shirt either. It was far too baggy and didn’t do him any justice,’ Lisa told them before stopping. ‘Right girls, here it is up here on the right. Puppy Kit Pet Couture.’

‘Oh my God. Is that an actual four-poster bed for a dog in the window?’ Jade asked, completely astounded by what she was seeing. How had she never spotted this shop before? It was madness! As they walked in, Jade was mesmerised. There were dog coats, jackets, t-shirts, dresses, skirts, fancy dress costumes. There was even dog perfume! They were surrounded by everything you could ever need for your pet and more.

‘Hi girls,’ the lady that worked there greeted them, ‘awww … let me have a look at her,’ she said as she approached them and spotted Cupcake poking her tiny head out of the bag.

As the lady chatted to Kelly and Lisa, Jade walked around the shop, amazed at some of the things she was seeing. She picked up a gorgeous Swarovski collar and bracelet set, thinking Cupcake would look adorable in it, and then reeled in shock at the £150 price tag. This one is better, she thought, picking up a little white one with pink crystals, which was only £17.95. As Jade browsed through the adorable little dresses, picking up some as she went, she froze. She could hear a girl talking loudly behind her to the lady at the till. How did she know that voice?

‘Jade?’ the husky voice said, sending shivers down her spine.

She turned around, to be confronted with her worst nightmare. It was Adele. Memories of Marbella last year came flooding back to her. Not only had Adele, who was Sam’s ex-girlfriend, tried to keep them apart by telling lies about Jade and snogging Sam right in front of her face, but she had also stolen their bag of sequins and jewels from the market and put them on her own bikini! She’d denied it of course, but Jade and Kelly knew the truth. She was just a complete bitch and Jade had hoped she’d never see her again. She had spotted her once since Marbella down Loughton High Street, but she had hid in a shop until she had gone. There was nowhere to escape in here.

‘Oh, hi Adele,’ she said, about to turn back round to the shelves of clothing. The last thing she wanted was to actually have a conversation with her.

To Jade’s surprise, Adele practically jumped on her, kissing her cheek. ‘Oh my God, I haven’t seen you for ages! How are you, hun? Who are you with? Oh my God, shut up! It’s Kelly. Kelly!’ she shouted, flapping up and down and interrupting Kelly’s conversation with Lisa and the shop assistant.

Kelly’s face dropped and she waved unenthusiastically, looking like she’d seen a ghost.

‘Come over here, babe!’ Adele signalled, a huge grin plastered on her face.

Kelly said something to Lisa, who looked over, and they made their way to where Jade and Adele were standing.

Adele grabbed Kelly as soon as she was within reach, hugging her tightly. Jade had to stifle a laugh as she watched Kelly’s terrified face.

‘Hi Adele,’ she said, trying to pull back from her forceful embrace.

‘How are you, babe? Can’t believe how long it’s been! I’ve been hoping to bump into you two for ages.’

‘I’m good thanks,’ Kelly replied, taking another step back. ‘This is Lisa by the way; I don’t think you met her in Marbella?’

‘No,’ Adele shook her head, ‘I do recognise you from Marbs though. I saw you with Jade and Kelly a few times. Hi, hun.’

‘Hi,’ Lisa nodded, looking bored. She knew all about Adele and how much of a cow she was.

‘Oh my God! Your dog is amazing!’ Adele roughly put her hand through the opening of the bag to stroke Cupcake, who cowered and hid further into the safety of the blanket. ‘What a lovely Chihuahua.’

‘Thanks,’ Lisa replied, looking at her watch.

‘I’m buying a miniature Yorkshire Terrier, so just getting some little bits for him now. He’s completely adorable. Costing my dad a fortune because he’s like, from the best breeders ever. Think his dad was a winner at Crufts and everything. Over one and a half grand he is. Oh well, it’s worth it, isn’t it babe?’ she said to Lisa, as though they understood each other because they both had dogs. ‘What’s she called?’

‘Cupcake,’ Lisa replied.

‘Princess Cupcake,’ Kelly corrected her hastily.

‘Cute,’ Adele smiled. ‘I’m calling mine Buddy. He’ll keep me company in my new amazing flat my dad bought me. You girls have to come over soon. It’s stunning. Huge. We’ll go out for the night and have drinks before at mine. Where are you girls living now? Not at home with your parents still, surely?’ Adele smirked.

‘Me and Kelly are, yes,’ Jade answered indignantly. ‘At least this way we can save money as luckily our parents don’t charge us too much rent.’

Adele looked as though she’d tasted something bitter. ‘Your parents make you pay rent?’

Jade and Kelly nodded.

‘Oh right,’ Adele remarked, raising her eyebrows in disbelief. ‘My dad has taken care of everything for me, luckily. He’s bought me all new furniture too. What about you?’ she asked, her eyes flicking to Lisa.

‘I’m moving in with a friend,’ Lisa replied, ‘and will be paying my own rent and buying my own furniture. I could never just sponge off my parents without contributing, even if it was an option. No offence,’ Lisa grinned caustically.

‘None taken,’ Adele retorted, with one of her fake smiles that Jade knew so well.

‘Anyway Adele, nice seeing you. We really better hurry up though, we’ve loads to buy,’ Kelly said, as she turned and picked up a tiny white frilly dress.

‘Okay girls, have fun shopping. I’ll add you on Facebook and we can go out soon, yeah?’

‘Yeah, though I don’t go on my Facebook much,’ Jade lied.

‘No problem. Give me your phone, babe,’ Adele demanded, holding out her hand.

‘Why?’ Jade said, trying to think of a good reason why she wouldn’t have it on her without it looking too obvious.

‘I’ll put my number in,’ Adele told her firmly.

Seeing no way out, Jade passed her the phone and Adele put her number in and called it so she had Jade’s number on her own. How annoying? Jade thought, hoping she wouldn’t keep texting and calling. Why couldn’t she just get the picture? They didn’t, and would never like Adele; she was bad news.

‘Cheers, hun,’ Adele turned to leave, ‘oh, and Kelly?’

‘Yes?’ Kelly replied, warily.

‘I really wouldn’t go for that white dress for Cupcake. It’ll do nothing for her figure,’ Adele remarked and then waved dismissively and left.

*

Later on that day Jade and Kelly were on their way to the meeting with Tony.

‘I still can’t believe that Adele suggested our gorgeous little Cupcake was podgy,’ Kelly huffed moodily, shaking her head; her thick, blonde, freshly blow-dried luscious waves bouncing. It was all they had spoken about since it had happened. They’d said goodbye to Lisa, who was also furious with Adele’s remark, and then Jade and Kelly had had their hair done. It was so nice to simply sit there while someone made your hair look amazing. Jade’s long blonde hair extensions were quite hard to handle, and she’d got into the habit of having them blow dried whenever she could. It was worth the money in her opinion.

‘I know,’ Jade said for the umpteenth time, ‘it’s ridiculous. As if a puppy could be fat. She’s just jell.’

‘Who does she think she is? Coming over to us like we’re best mates. She even took your number! The cheek of it. I can’t bear her! And I never hate anyone. But picking on little Cupcake, well,’ Kelly shook her head violently, ‘that’s just taking things to another level.’

‘Let’s not waste any more time talking about her,’ Jade said, slightly bored with going over the same thing. ‘We need to get our business heads on now.’

‘Yes, you’re right,’ Kelly said, much to Jade’s contentment. ‘But I just can’t believe she called her fat!’

Jade sighed. Why oh why did they have to bump into Adele today?

Ten minutes later they were in Tony’s office in his home in Abridge.

‘Hi girls,’ he greeted them with a warm smile.

‘You alright, babe?’ Kelly said.

Jade smiled and took one of the seats beside the computer.

‘How’s it all going then?’ Tony enquired, his hazel eyes sparkling. He ran his hand through his jet black hair, which Jade noticed had a few grey strands. ‘Got the bikinis made yet?’

‘I’ve made a few,’ Kelly explained. ‘But don’t worry, Tone, I’ll get them done in no time. You should see me on the sewing machine! I’m a whizz kid,’ she giggled.

Jade nodded in agreement. ‘She’s really good. I’ll be helping out too,’ she told him.

‘Great. It would be good to get some images of the bikinis sooner rather than later,’ Tony advised. ‘We want to get the website up and running as soon as possible and obviously we’ll need the images so people can see what you have to offer. So I suppose you’ll need to get a photo shoot done.’

Jade jotted it down in her red notebook and when Tony spotted her doing so he suggested some photographers they could contact that weren’t too expensive.

‘Thanks, that’s a great help,’ Jade smiled graciously as she took their phone numbers.

She was so pleased that they were using Tony. Not only was he great at designing websites, but a really nice, helpful person too. He genuinely wanted the girls to make a success of their business and thought their idea was fantastic. She was still shocked at Sam’s remark about worrying about the two of them though. Yes, Tony was fairly attractive with his dark hair and strong jaw line, but even if Jade had been single, he was far too old for her and had a four-year-old daughter from a previous relationship. Sam had absolutely nothing to worry about.

‘Will you be modelling the bikinis yourself?’ Tony asked Jade with a half-smile.

Jade felt herself blush. ‘As if! No, we’ll be getting other people to model for us.’

Tony nodded as he rubbed the stubble on his jaw. ‘I’m sure you’d look just as good in them,’ he said, catching Jade’s eye and making her turn away uncomfortably. Tony changed the subject. ‘Okay, so I’ve already started Vajazzle My Bikini’s Facebook and Twitter page. You just need images to put on now, as well as getting people to like your page on Facebook and followers on Twitter of course.’

‘Thanks, hun,’ Kelly beamed as she plaited her hair.

‘In the meantime,’ Jade suggested, ‘let’s just use the photos of us in our bikinis in Marbs, which we designed.’

‘Good idea,’ Tony said. ‘I’ll go make us tea while you two add some images and start suggesting friends to like your page.’

The girls added a few photos where they both agreed they looked nice and then started requesting friends to like their page.

‘Oh look,’ Kelly said excitedly a few minutes later, ‘we already have three likes on Facebook!’

Jade’s heart melted when she saw one of them was Sam; he was so sweet and supportive. How lucky she was to have him.

‘Three likes already, well done,’ Tony smiled. ‘Okay, now I’ll show you the three designs I have for the homepage,’ Tony said, handing them a mug of tea each.

The designs appeared on the screen on the computer. Kelly’s face lit up when she saw the last one. It had a black background with big pink glittery letters saying ‘Vajazzle My Bikini’. It had stars which moved across the screen and looked magical. Sample images of bikinis flashed on repeat and not only did it look extremely user friendly, but impressive too.

‘A hundred per cent the last one!’ Kelly said, ‘I just love it! Every swimwear website will be so jell of us!’

‘Yes, I agree,’ Jade said cheerfully. ‘The last one is perfect.’

‘Thought you were going to say that,’ Tony said with an amused smile.

An hour and a half later Tony told them he was going away for two weeks.

‘It’s vital I show you the back end of the website tonight and teach you how to use it so you can get started,’ he said.

Jade looked at her Michael Kors watch. It was six forty-five already. ‘How long will it take?’ she asked, dreading the answer.

‘To show you the whole thing so you understand?’ Tony thought for a few seconds. ‘Maybe two hours? Two and a half tops?’

Kelly and Jade looked at each other, thinking the same thing: they both had plans.

‘Only one of you needs to stay,’ he added quickly when he saw their concerned expressions.

‘Babe, I’ll stay,’ Kelly offered kindly, ‘I’ll learn the computer stuff easy-peasy, honestly.’

Kelly started pressing the computer screen, while Jade and Tony sat there, baffled.

‘Kelly, what are you doing? It’s not a touch screen!’

Kelly started to giggle, ‘I thought I was using my iPhone for a minute! Need to get my brain into gear.’

Jade stifled a giggle. It was sweet that Kelly had offered, but she could hardly even use her own laptop and always needed help with the simplest things, like how to turn it on! She even remembered the time Kelly had complained her laptop was stuck and wouldn’t open, not realising she had it the wrong way round when she was trying to lift the screen up. She doubted she’d ever have any clue about technical stuff. She knew Kelly hated computers and offices, one of the reasons she’d become a beautician.

Jade took a deep breath. ‘Kelly, it’s lovely of you to offer, but I’ll stay and learn it.’

‘After seeing you do that, Kelly, I’d have to agree.’ Tony laughed. ‘I promise I’ll be as quick as possible, Jade.’

Kelly nodded, knowing that was definitely the most sensible thing to do. ‘If you’re sure, Jade? I’ll stay too if you like?’

‘It’s fine; it only needs one of us. Honestly, you go.’

‘I’m sorry I can’t make it another day,’ Tony said, looking guilty, ‘it’s just I really think you should get it up and running ASAP.’

‘That’s okay,’ Jade said lightly, secretly worrying about letting Sam down again. ‘I’m going to drop Kelly off and then quickly drive to Sam’s and tell him I can’t make tonight. Would it be okay if I came back in about forty minutes?’ she asked Tony.

‘Perfect,’ Tony said, rubbing his hands together and getting out of his seat.

After dropping Kelly off home to get ready to go out with Billy, Jade pulled into Sam’s drive. For the first time since they’d been a couple she actually felt a little nervous about his response.

‘Hi,’ he grinned, opening the front door and kissing her.

‘Bad news,’ Jade said as she walked into his bedroom and sat on his bed.

Sam’s smile vanished. ‘You can’t come?’ he guessed, looking disappointed and making her feel terrible.

‘I’m so sorry,’ Jade said, ‘I’ll be done in a few hours and can meet you after if you like? I could co—’

Sam interrupted her. ‘I’ve already bought the tickets for the cinema and booked a meal. Is there no way you can get out of it?’ he asked, unable to control his irritable tone.

Jade shook her head, bit her lip and looked at the floor. ‘Tony is going on holiday for two weeks so it has to be done tonight.’

Sam nodded, looking even more unimpressed now she’d mentioned his name. ‘Right.’

‘I can meet you after?’ Jade asked hopefully.

‘Don’t worry about it,’ Sam said curtly, looking away. ‘My mates are going to Sugar Hut tonight and I blew them off because I wanted to see you, but I’ll tell them my plans have changed. There’s no point in you rushing around for me when you have work to do.’

Jade nodded, knowing he was angry. ‘Tomorrow?’

Sam raised his shoulders. ‘I have a football match late afternoon and then I said I’d help my cousin move out.’

‘I can help you?’ she offered, desperate to make it up to him somehow.

There was a long pause. ‘No, it’s going to be lifting loads of heavy things. Thanks anyway though.’

Jade felt awkward. He was being slightly cold towards her and it hurt. She felt like he wanted her to leave. Sam was never like this normally; he was always so affectionate and loving. ‘Are we okay?’ she asked, her voice slightly shaky.

He nodded and cleared his throat. ‘Fine.’

‘Okay, well I’d better be getting back to Tony,’ Jade told him, standing up and swinging her bag over her shoulder.