MADE IN ESSEX

‘Of course,’ he said blankly, opening his bedroom door with an unreadable expression.

Jade sighed sadly. ‘Speak to you soon then. Have a nice night.’

As Jade left Sam’s flat, she felt unsettled. Was her business ruining her relationship?

CHAPTER 3

Adele was bored as she waited for her nails to dry. She grabbed her laptop from the dressing table and switched it on. As she waited for it to come alive, she thought about what had happened that day. She couldn’t believe she’d bumped into Kelly and Jade at last. She hadn’t seen them since Marbella and had been dying to go out with them on a night out. She’d been gutted when she realised she didn’t get their numbers after the holiday, even if things didn’t end on the best note. They always looked like they had fun when they went out and she knew they lived close to her, so it would be perfect to use them for that reason. She’d wanted to send them both a friend request on Facebook, but had worried that they wouldn’t accept it because of what had happened in Marbella. Surely they were over her stealing their junk from the market to sew on their swimwear? Adele couldn’t handle the thought of them rejecting her friend request, she was far too proud for that, so in the end she had stopped herself. Kelly, Jade and Lisa had all looked like such good friends today; Adele wanted to be included in their plans and go out for girly nights, lunches and shopping trips. They were nauseatingly pretty though; could she really handle being around them all the time and having to fight for attention? She cursed herself for thinking that way. Of course she could – she was easily as attractive as them, if not more so. She’d heard that Jade was going out with Sam now. She absolutely hated the thought of them together and could kick herself that her plan to split them up in Marbella hadn’t worked. Oh well, Jade was welcome to her sloppy seconds, Adele thought nastily. She’d already been there, done that and got the t-shirt.

She was going to Sugar Hut tonight with an old friend from school called Donna. They’d become really close recently and Adele loved going out with her because Donna was a bit on the heavy side, which meant she ended up stealing all the limelight. Donna did everything she said too and Adele loved it that she always got to pick where they went out. Adele liked being in control; she had to be, in fact. They were friends at school, but had lost contact when Donna went to college and then off to university.

Adele had contacted Donna after her mum had bumped into Donna’s mum and told her Donna worked for Mulberry in the head office. Why couldn’t Adele land an amazing job like that? She didn’t even want to think about the discounts she must get, which Donna was very tight-lipped about. Some people just had it so lucky. So what if Donna had a degree in fashion and marketing? She didn’t exactly look the part, being a size sixteen (though secretly Adele thought she looked more like a size eighteen and that maybe she was lying). Adele would be much better suited to a fun job like that, and it angered her that sometimes life was just so unfair. She was hoping Donna could get her in the company somehow, but so far she’d been nothing but useless, saying some crap about how she couldn’t and she’d have to go through the normal hiring process. Whatever! Everyone knew that if you knew someone in a company they could always manage to get you in somehow and put in a good word. Adele hadn’t really worked since Marbella, she realised as she stretched her legs out on the bed. She’d done the odd couple of shifts in her mum’s boutique in Ongar, but apart from that, nothing. She was getting slightly bored, she had to admit. Money was never an issue, her dad made sure of that, but she did feel the need to do something with her life, other than going shopping, getting her hair done and just sitting around and looking pretty. She wondered if she should try modelling or acting or something interesting like that and told herself she’d look into it on Monday.

Maybe she should text Jade and ask her to come out tonight? See if Kelly and that other Lisa girl wanted to come too? It was sometimes a bit boring being with just Donna and Adele imagined it would be much more fun with a group of them. She took her phone from her dressing gown pocket.

Hey babe. How are you? Fancy coming out tonight? I’ve got a table with champers? On me of course Xx

The reply came back almost instantly.

Busy, sorry x

Is that it? Adele thought, infuriated. No, ‘I’m fine thanks’, ‘how are you?’ or ‘thanks for the offer’. There was no need to be so short; it was just plain rude! Who did Jade think she was, treating her like unwanted rubbish?

Adele logged into her Facebook account miserably for a browse. Donna would be round soon and she’d have to start on her hair. She noticed that one of her friends had ‘liked’ a company called Vajazzle My Bikini. Intrigued, she clicked on it and when the image of Jade and Kelly appeared on her screen, Adele couldn’t believe her eyes. So they had decided to make their customised swimwear into a business had they? She looked at the company information and read that they were making special and unique swimwear, perfect for pool parties. She assumed it had just been a little hobby when they were away, but they were actually taking it further! She felt a wave of anger and jealousy wash over her. Why hadn’t she done that? Adele would love to have her own business and make swimwear! She’d wasted so much time doing nothing, when she could have been creating her own business and getting there before those two airheads. At the bottom of their company information something caught her eye. It said ‘website coming soon’. So they didn’t have a website yet then? Maybe she could do the same thing and get there first? Adele’s heart beat faster as ideas raced around in her mind. She needed to speak to her dad who owned a very successful property development business; he’d be able to help her and put her in touch with the right people. Picking up her phone, she called him.

‘Hello,’ came her dad’s gruff voice down the phone.

‘Hi, Dad. Really quickly. If I wanted my own website as I have a really good business idea, how quickly could you get it done do you think?’

He paused. ‘I’d have to speak to Martin, he takes care of that side of things for our business. He’s usually pretty quick. He did our website in just over a week, but it’s fairly simple and I suppose it depends on what you want? Why, what’s your idea?’

‘I’ll come over tomorrow and tell you. We can talk then,’ Adele said happily, smiling from ear to ear.

‘Okay, darling. Look forward to seeing you then,’ he said fondly.

‘Okay, bye, Dad.’

This was perfect, Adele thought ecstatically! Her dad would get Martin to build Adele her very own website and then she’d make all the bikinis. It wasn’t exactly hard was it? Sew on a couple of beads and diamantés here and there, big deal. Adele had seen lots of Jade and Kelly’s creations in Marbella and they didn’t look that difficult to copy. She could undercut their prices too so people would use her website instead. She couldn’t wait to see the look on their faces the next time she bumped into them. They always treated her like she was a bad smell or something. She’d soon show them, and they’d be sorry for ever underestimating her.

*

Sam felt irritated. All he wanted was to spend some quality time with his girlfriend, but lately it was proving impossible. He loved that she was starting her own business with Kelly; it was ambitious and he’d always found independent women irresistible. His idea of hell was a money-grabbing gold digger, and there plenty of those in Essex, that was for sure. Sam had been surprised by how quickly he’d fallen for Jade. After Marbella, they had literally never left each other’s sides and the more he got to know her, the more he fell in love. She was down to earth, loyal and thoughtful as well as being beautiful. He thanked God every day that Adele hadn’t managed to keep them apart with her vicious lies about Jade being easy. He’d never really understand why she lied and kissed him that night in Marbella so Jade would see; Adele didn’t have feelings for him, so what was her problem with him being with Jade? Adele really was a bigger bitch than he’d ever realised. A serious psycho that one, and he’d had a very lucky escape.

He wondered when he’d become so attached to Jade. Love was funny like that. One minute he’d been acting cool and casual, and the next, he couldn’t imagine his life without her. He hadn’t told her he loved her yet, but he knew he did. He’d never said it to anyone before and if he was honest, it was because it terrified him. He would be putting his heart on the line and it was a huge step. Say she didn’t reciprocate? He had these worries in his head, though he knew deep down that she was just as keen on him. They were so happy together and he knew that he loved her the first time she made him really laugh. He couldn’t even remember what she’d made him laugh about now, but it wasn’t just a giggle; it was a deep, throaty, stomach-aching laugh that made tears run down his cheeks. He loved that Jade had a sense of humour and didn’t take herself too seriously. But now she was busy all the time, letting him down constantly. Excuse after excuse – and it was hurting him more than he cared to admit. Surely there was still room for him in her life? Was there really no way she could fit him into her busy schedule? When was he going to come first? He understood she was preoccupied, but did she realise how she made him feel when she simply forgot they were meeting and arrived forty minutes late? Was he that easy to forget? Sam hated that their otherwise perfect relationship was being jeopardised by her new job. He did want to support her, but it was hard when it was at their relationship’s expense. He was as understanding as the next guy, but tonight he felt nothing but angry, let down and disappointed.

Sam switched off the TV, unable to concentrate on anything apart from Jade. Maybe he was a bit harsh with her earlier? Jade knew he was being offish and had felt like she had to leave. Perhaps he should be more understanding at times? It was a busy time for her at the moment and it wasn’t always going to be like this, he told himself. He picked up his phone to call her. Maybe he would meet her a bit later after all.

‘Hello?’ came the unfamiliar male voice down the line.

Sam frowned and checked the screen on his phone to make sure he’d dialled the right number. ‘Err … hello, is Jade there? Who’s that?’

‘Sorry, it’s Tony. Jade’s left her phone here and has just popped out to pick up a takeaway for us. Shall I get her to call you back?’

‘No, leave it,’ Sam said starting to feel angry again.

‘Okay, bye.’

Sam hung up, fuming. So she was out buying a takeaway for the two of them was she? How cosy. The last thing he wanted was to call his girlfriend and hear another man’s voice at the end of the line. He imagined them together, laughing and joking as they ate their meal. He knew he was being insecure, but he couldn’t help it. His friend Steve, who was single, had suggested Sugar Hut earlier that day and at the time, he had actually felt quite relieved that he was spending the night with his girlfriend he loved. Sam had been thankful that he didn’t still have to go out on the pull and wake up the next day with a hangover, but perhaps he shouldn’t get too comfortable, he told himself, as he pulled on his True Religion jeans. Maybe Jade was too busy for a relationship? Maybe she’d end up marrying Tony, the bloke she was spending her Saturday night with, he thought jealously. He cursed himself; Jade would never cheat and he needed to grow up, thinking thoughts like that. What was with him? He usually wasn’t the jealous kind. He needed to stop getting so angry.

Reluctantly, he pulled on his All Saints t-shirt and thought about his night ahead. He always got attention from girls when he went out and used to love it, but now it just irritated him. He wasn’t interested in anyone else, not when he had Jade. He’d never wanted to move in with another girl or settle down and get married, but with Jade, all these things seemed exciting rather than scary. She’d completely changed him – and to think she’d been there the whole time in Marbella. He’d wasted so much time looking for someone that had been right under his nose the whole time. As he slipped his shoes on, he hoped their relationship would be back on track soon.

*

Adele looked down at her legs in annoyance. Her spray tan hadn’t come out half as dark as she wanted and she was even looking at Donna enviously for once.

‘God, I look so bloody pale!’ she spat, applying more bronzer to her cheeks to compete with Donna’s golden glow.

‘You should go to Kelly who you went to college with,’ Donna suggested, aware that Adele had taken the same beauty course as Kelly, but given up halfway through. ‘She does the best spray tans ever, babe. She sprayed me twice over so it comes out darker and uses Sienna tan, which is like the best there is. She knows just how I like it.’

‘I’ve heard Kelly is terrible,’ Adele lied, bitterly irritated by the fact that Donna was friends with Kelly. ‘How do you know her anyway? I didn’t realise you were friends. She is so thick it’s embarrassing and was crap at college. I’m surprised she even made it to the end of the course.’

Donna shook her head. ‘No way! Kelly is great at her job, trust me. She does my make-up too sometimes and I love it. Don’t you like her? She’s such a nice girl and beauts as well. A friend recommended her to me a while back and we’ve been mates ever since.’

‘Of course I like her,’ Adele snapped, in case it got back to Kelly and she blew her chance of being friends for good. ‘I just didn’t think she was that great at beauty, but whatever.’

‘Your dress looks gorgeous,’ Donna admired, staring at Adele’s gold one-shoulder Forever Unique body-con.

‘Cheers, hun,’ Adele said, loving the way the dress hugged her in all the right places and made her look a dress size smaller. She glanced at Donna’s plain black dress that looked far too small for her and dug in her arms, making them bulge out at the sides. Thank God she didn’t have her figure, she told herself happily. ‘Luckily, I can wear body-cons,’ she remarked, feeling glad she’d scored a point back from the fact her spray tan wasn’t as dark.

Donna looked down at herself. ‘I wish I could lose weight,’ she sulked wistfully.

Adele had no sympathy and shook her head dismissively. ‘It’s really not that hard, Donna. Just stop eating so much chocolate and crisps. I’m not being funny, but it’s a fact. If you eat more calories than you burn off, you gain weight. Go for a jog on your lunch break or something.’

Donna was affronted. ‘What lunch break? I never have time for one!’

‘How is the job going by the way?’ Adele asked, glad the subject had been brought up. ‘Is there any chance you can get me a discount on the bags yet? I’ve got my eye on this amazing cream clutch.’

‘I’m sorry, but they’re really strict on it. That reminds me though; I do have some good news for you. I asked HR again about you getting a job and they need sales assistants in Selfridges if you want me to take your CV in?’

Adele looked as though Donna had said she could get her a job cleaning toilets. ‘What? A sales assistant? Donna, please. I wouldn’t be seen dead as a shop worker! Even if it was for Mulberry. No way. Besides, I actually don’t need a job there anymore. I’m starting my own business instead.’

‘That’s great!’ Donna enthused. ‘What business? Tell me everything.’

Worried it could get back to Kelly, Adele shrugged, ‘Just wait and see.’ She added Chanel lip gloss to her plump pink lips. She’d had collagen injections two weeks ago and loved how big they looked. She flicked her long dark hair over her shoulder, satisfied with her appearance. ‘Right Donna, call a taxi now and we’ll go.’

Forty minutes later, they arrived at Sugar Hut.

‘Oh my God, shut up!’ Donna sighed. ‘Look at the size of the queue! It goes back further than we can even see!’

Adele tutted loudly. ‘Donna, don’t be so ridiculous. Like I would ever need to queue. I wouldn’t queue in that if you paid me. I’m friends with the bouncers.’ She laughed at the sheer thought of joining the end of the line.

‘Oh, wicked,’ Donna said, brightening up instantly.

Adele marched with her head held high to the front of the line and kissed Dave, the bouncer who she knew on the cheek, giving him a saccharine smile. She’d sucked up to him the previous year so much that he thought she fancied him and asked to take her out on a date. She’d gone reluctantly, demanding he take her somewhere expensive, and they ended up going to Nobu in London, where Adele made sure she ordered the most expensive sushi and champagne so she could boast to everyone how much the meal cost. She also knew it would mean a free queue jump whenever she went to Sugar Hut. He’d been really into her, which hadn’t surprised her in the slightest, and she pretended she’d got back with an ex-boyfriend to get him off her case. Luckily, Dave had understood her predicament and on a few occasions when she’d been in the club she’d given him a cheeky snog goodbye when she left, just so he didn’t lose interest in her. So simple really. Men were so thick and gullible sometimes that they couldn’t really see what was going on. Did Dave seriously look at his vile bald head and ever-expanding waistline and think that someone like her would genuinely be interested? It was laughable.

‘One moment, gorgeous,’ Dave winked.

Adele smiled back seductively. ‘Thank you, babes. You’re looking well,’ she said in a soft, honeyed tone.

She looked at the queue, which seemed to have grown even longer. Donna was right; it was exceptionally busy tonight. As she glanced at the sea of faces looking at her and Donna, some slightly angry that they were getting let in before them, she caught a pair of green eyes that she knew far too well. It was Sam. She looked behind him, noticing he was with his friends rather than Jade. Hopefully he’ll cheat on her tonight, Adele thought wickedly. There was plenty of temptation in Sugar Hut and she imagined Sam would have lots of admirers. He looked very handsome tonight, wearing a white top which showed off his tanned skin and toned physique. She waved and gestured for him to come to the front with her and Donna. He acknowledged her, but mouthed ‘No, it’s okay, thanks.’

Adele was not impressed. So he’d rather queue like a civilian than jump to the front and go in with her? How pathetic. He was obviously still bothered about the stupid lies she’d told him about Jade in Marbella. It was a joke for God’s sake. He really needed to get a life and get over it. God, Sam and Jade were as bad as each other. Talk about holding a grudge!

‘Who’s that?’ Donna enquired, raising an eyebrow.

‘My ex, Sam,’ Adele replied blankly.

‘Oh my God, he’s so fit!’

‘Really bad in bed,’ Adele fibbed. ‘I had to dump him because of it. He literally didn’t have a clue, bless him.’

Donna laughed. ‘I wouldn’t mind teaching him.’

Adele grimaced at the thought. ‘He was a lost cause, trust me, I tried.’

‘What a shame, with a gorgeous face like that,’ Donna said disappointedly, shaking her head.

‘Mmm …’ Adele said, still fuming that he’d brushed off her queue jump invitation so quickly.

As they walked through without paying, Adele could tell Donna was overjoyed to be out with her receiving special treatment. They walked through the entrance to the bar on the left, and Adele decided to wait until Sam came through so she could speak to him. They ordered a bottle of white wine.

‘Shall we go to the table now?’ Donna asked excitedly, her eyes bulging.

‘No, silly,’ Adele huffed and rolled her eyes at Donna’s complete stupidity. ‘The table is upstairs in the club. It will be dead now. No one goes up there until later so we’ll stay here first.’

Donna listened to her attentively, like a child in a classroom in awe of their teacher’s every word.

Not long after, Sam made his way through and Adele couldn’t help but approach him immediately. She didn’t know why, but she couldn’t handle the thought that he didn’t like her. She’d been his girlfriend once upon a time, but now he looked at her like dirt on his shoes and it didn’t feel good.

‘Hi Sam,’ she said, kissing his cheek. She could tell he wasn’t pleased to see her standing there.

‘Alright?’ he said vacantly, about to walk away.

‘How have you been?’ she asked quickly, before he disappeared. ‘I haven’t seen you since Marbs. Weird, because I bumped into Jade today as well. Are things going well with you two? How come she’s not here?’

Sam glared at her. ‘Adele, with all due respect, that really has nothing to do with you. Don’t pretend to care about me, or even Jade for that matter. Please, I’m just really not in the mood tonight. Enjoy your evening,’ he brushed her off.

As Sam walked away, Adele felt her face go hot with fury. Did he have to be so rude to her? Did she really deserve to be spoken to like that? It made her even happier to be copying his darling Jade’s bikini business. She couldn’t wait to wipe the smiles off their faces when they realised her plan. Money was no object to her so she could make her business ten times bigger and better than Jade’s and so she would! They both deserved each other as far as she was concerned. A pair of complete idiots! They wouldn’t last either; she’d lay money on it.

An hour and a half later, Adele and Donna were seated on their table. She ordered a bottle of champagne and felt extremely smug and superior to the girls on the table next to them drinking pikey Smirnoff Ices. Did people still drink those awful sugar-laden drinks? How chavvy, she decided, turning her nose up at their cheap dresses, which looked like they’d been purchased from Romford market.

Adele sighed, feeling pretty bored. She liked Donna, but sometimes she could be quite dull. Donna was so lucky to be out with someone like her, why couldn’t Donna be more fun? The night wasn’t going well. Sam had been rude to her twice, the only bloke she fancied who was standing at the bar had now disappeared and she was stuck with Donna. Where were all the fit men?

A short while later when Adele was in the ladies toilet in a cubicle, she heard a big argument between two girls outside.

‘You’ve been giving me dirty looks all night, you tramp. Have you got a problem or something?’ she heard one girl snap, aggressively.

There was a timid response from the girl she was addressing. ‘I haven’t even seen you before. I certainly haven’t been giving you dirty looks.’ She sounded terrified.

‘Don’t lie. I saw you with my own eyes. Who the hell do you think you are?’ the angry girl countered.

Eager to get a better look and excited by the drama, Adele left the cubicle as soon as possible. She couldn’t have been more shocked as she was faced with Chloe, Sam’s younger sister, almost in tears because of the girl confronting her. Adele saw the relief in her eyes when Chloe recognised Adele. A look that begged for help. The poor thing was petrified. Adele couldn’t believe the change in her! The last time she’d seen Chloe she’d been around fourteen with a cute blonde bob, freckles peppered on her nose, a fixed brace, looking every bit the young teenager she was. Now she looked like a woman! Much older than eighteen, which she guessed she was now. She had beautiful long wavy blonde hair, a stunning golden complexion, the most captivating green eyes like Sam’s and the best figure she’d seen in a long time. Her slim legs seemed to never end and her natural bust was full and curvy. If Adele didn’t know what a lovely girl she was, she too, like the girl before her would have hated Chloe. Adele knew as well as she knew her own name that Chloe hadn’t so much as glanced at the furious-looking girl in front of her. It was clear that this girl didn’t like her and never would. But it wasn’t Chloe’s fault and it wasn’t because she’d done anything wrong. The girl was simply jealous.