MADE IN ESSEX

Lisa shook her head. ‘No and no. It’s not anyone famous.’

Kelly and Jade thought for a minute.

‘No idea. Tell us!’ they whined.

‘Adele.’

‘Oh. My. God. Are you joking?’ Kelly replied, aghast. ‘I just love her songs! Why did you lie and say she’s not famous? You’re hilare.’ She closed her eyes, concentrating as she began to sing, ‘Someone like you’.

Lisa burst into laughter. ‘Not the singer Adele, Kelly,’ her eyes widened, ‘you know, Adele. The girl you despise from Marbs?’

Kelly’s jaw dropped as reality dawned on her. ‘Oh no, not her! Are you being serious?’

‘I wish I was. I couldn’t believe it when I saw her. She said she’d only just got back to her flat after a night out.’

‘How classy,’ Jade commented sarcastically as their pizzas arrived. ‘Walk of shame. Did she look like a complete tart?’

‘She was actually in a dressing gown, so she must have already had a shower. Urgh, she’s just vile,’ Lisa said, remembering how she’d barged in the flat and helped herself to their champagne after complaining about it.

‘Oh I’m gutted, I really thought it was the singer Adele. I was going to ask to duet with her,’ Kelly said, shaking her head in disbelief.

Lisa and Jade giggled.

‘Adele’s never going to leave you alone now, hun,’ Kelly said ruefully.

Lisa raised her eyebrows as she cut her pizza into slices. ‘I know! I’ve met her twice and I can’t bear her.’

‘Just never answer the door unless you know who’s coming over,’ Jade suggested as she chewed a mouthful of cheese and pepperoni.

‘Or put a sign on your door saying that you’re not home?’ Kelly offered, looking up from her meal.

‘That’s a good idea. We’ll have no visits from Adele, but burglars instead,’ Lisa laughed.

‘Oh yeah, maybe not then!’ Kelly said pulling a face.

‘So how was your night with lover boy, Billy, anyway?’ Jade asked Kelly.

‘Really nice. Me and Billy are meant to be, I can feel it,’ she beamed. ‘He’s the perfect Ken to my Barbie. His business is doing really well too. He’s like, the sweetest man on earth. He saw me looking at Christian Louboutin shoes on eBay, as I was going to buy this pair that had only been worn a few times for a hundred pounds, complete barg. Obviously I’m trying to save money for the business, so eBay is where I’m getting all my designers at the minute, but he said he’d treat me and buy me a pair from Harrods at the weekend.’

‘That’s so cute,’ Jade gushed, secretly finding it hilarious that Kelly acted like she was trying to cut back on shopping. She seemed to buy a new designer bag every week! She was glad Billy’s business was successful though. They had spoken to him lots about his corporate hospitality company since they had started their own business and he often helped them out and gave them advice. It was starting to go really well for him and she could tell Kelly was proud when she spoke about it. It was adorable really. His business partner and friend, Gary Jacobs, hadn’t exactly been pleased when Billy had left the business which they’d been running for two years to work in Marbella for the summer. But he’d been able to cope by hiring temporary staff once he knew Billy had made his mind up about going. It was something he had needed to do and now he’d met Kelly it had definitely been the right thing, Jade acknowledged.

‘How’s Billy’s mum by the way?’

Kelly nodded her head. ‘Yeah, she’s doing well. I think things are looking up, which is good.’

Jade sighed with relief. Billy’s mum had breast cancer and had gone through chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Kelly was often worried about Billy, who was terrified his mum might die. Kelly was the only person he ever spoke to about it.

‘Would you like dessert?’ the disconsolate-looking waiter asked.

‘Yes please, babe,’ Kelly said excitedly, ‘I’ll have that frozen yoghurt thing with the chocolate straw?’

‘Sotto zero leggera?’ he asked effortlessly.

‘Yeah that’s it,’ Kelly nodded, pretending she knew the name. ‘The leggera.’

He glanced at Lisa.

She perused the menu, eyes like saucers. ‘Oh, I’ll have the chocolate glory please.’

‘I’ll go for the frozen yoghurt thingy too,’ Jade decided.

Ten minutes later their desserts had arrived.

‘This is to die for,’ Lisa exhaled, through a bite of chocolate fudge cake and ice cream.

‘Mmm, so is this,’ Kelly agreed. ‘Really refreshing.’

‘Okay, we need to ask you something,’ Jade looked at Kelly to let her know this was the moment. ‘We’re doing a photo shoot this week as we need images of the bikinis for our website. We need people to model them and we were wondering if you would?’

Lisa opened her mouth to reveal chocolate-stained teeth, making them guffaw with laughter. ‘Why have you let me eat this dessert then like a fat cow if you want me to model? I should have had the healthy yoghurt crap like you two!’

Kelly chortled, ‘Lisa, you don’t need to worry about your weight! Your figure is amazing, babe, one of the reasons we’ve asked you in the first place. Everything you put on looks incredible.’

‘Thanks,’ Lisa said with a half-smile. ‘If it helps you, then of course I’ll do it. I’d better cut down for the next few days.’

‘Great!’ Jade exclaimed happily. ‘It’ll be one night this week, maybe Tuesday, so I’ll let you know when.’

As Lisa made Kelly promise she’d do her hair and make-up for the shoot, Jade’s mind drifted as she thought about all the things they had to do that week. It was going to be busy as always, but she would definitely allocate more time to Sam. They had to make more bikinis, get the photo shoot done and then add them all to the website. There was Essex Fashion Week to prepare for too, which she believed was the week after next. If only she had her red notebook she would know for sure.

‘Anyway girls I need to go,’ Lisa said standing up. ‘Jade, I’ll see you tomorrow, about seven in the morning?’

Jade’s face creased into a puzzled frown. ‘What? Why?’

‘You’re dog-sitting Cupcake, remember?’

Oh yes, Jade thought groggily, not liking the thought of getting up early, I remember.

*

Adele cursed herself as she stubbed her finger with the needle. How could anyone be bothered to sew for a living? Seriously, it was tiring, boring and not exactly easy like she’d first thought. You needed patience, she mused, as she added yet another sequin to the plain black bikini she was practising on. Patience was something she definitely didn’t have. She wondered whether she should pay someone to do it all for her and then decided against it, wanting a bigger profit for herself with each one she sold.

Adele exhaled loudly as she finished the last one. It was a similar copy to the one in Jade’s notebook, but something didn’t look quite right. She’d bought the sequins from Hobbycraft, seeing as the other ones from the website Jade and Kelly used wouldn’t arrive until tomorrow. That must be it, she told herself; when she had the right sequins the bikini would look great. It would look better on too, she decided, taking her clothes off to try it.

‘Shit!’ she cursed, when several of the sequins flew off immediately. Now she’d have to do them again, she thought, furious with herself for not being more careful. She’d have to send a letter out with every bikini purchased that the garments were very delicate and needed to be handled carefully. Then if the customers stupidly ruined them, it was their own fault. She wouldn’t allow anyone to send them back unless they were swapping sizes.

She’d already ordered a hundred bikinis from Caitlin in America, the lady who was written in the notebook. Her prices were so cheap when you bought in bulk that the girls would have made a killing. Too bad they would now have competition, Adele thought nastily. Everyone would be on her website because she’d make sure her bikinis were cheaper and looked better. She’d noticed in the notebook that the girls were hoping to use Chloe and Lisa as their models, as Jade had written their names with question marks. It was hilarious that they were using amateur models. How embarrassing? Yes, Lisa was attractive, Adele admitted reluctantly, but a model? Absolutely not. And as for Chloe, she was about as confident as a flea. They wouldn’t have a clue what to do or how to pose! She, on the other hand, had already been in touch with Skye, a professional model who had even appeared in the Ann Summers catalogues. Skye was charging three hundred and fifty pounds for the day, but everyone knew that you got what you paid for, Adele thought arrogantly. She would be worth every penny. Her images would be stunning; Skye would make a black bag look like something from the covers of Vogue. Now all she needed was to get enough bikinis ready so there were plenty to shoot. She’d decided against using the photographer Kelly and Jade were using. She’d looked at his website and yes he was good, but nothing compared to the photographer she’d found online, who had shot Madonna. Who wouldn’t choose the photographer that had shot her? She was an icon. A huge megastar. Adele’s photographer’s prices were a lot higher, but her work was flawless. It doesn’t even matter how much it costs, Adele reminded herself, you had to put money into a company to ever get some back and luckily her dad had plenty of it.

She couldn’t wait for Nicola and Lisa to move in opposite. She could just see them now, heading out to dinner when they got back from work, or going round there to watch films and for a chat. Then they could all go out at weekends together. Maybe they’d even join her in Funky Mojoe at the weekend? It would definitely beat going with just Donna who she had had to persuade to come anyway, seeing as she’d made plans for some boring aunt’s fiftieth birthday party. Adele had told Donna outright she couldn’t think of anything more pathetic than hanging out with some dried-up nobodies on a Saturday night and at this rate she would be single forever. Donna had seemed a bit put out by this comment, so Adele had changed tactic and softened a bit, telling her it was because she had a male friend that was interested in her and wanted to meet her. It was a complete lie but she knew that would change her tune. She would just conjure up some fictitious story on the night about him being ill or something like that. Donna had only ever had one serious relationship before, in senior school. The moment she started piling on the pounds he’d dumped her and she’d been a wreck and lost her confidence after that. She seriously needed to do something about herself if she ever really thought someone was going to like her again, Adele thought wickedly.

Adele looked through her drawers and found another bikini she could practise on. She couldn’t think of anything worse than sewing a whole load of sequins and beads on yet another one, but she would do it. She would do anything to beat Kelly and Jade.

CHAPTER 5

‘No, Cupcake!’ Jade shrieked in horror as she watched the little dog running off with a bikini top. ‘Come back here!’

‘She won’t come back if you shout,’ Kelly told her, raising her eyebrows, whizzing a bikini up and down on the sewing machine.

‘And she won’t come back if I whisper either, so what do you suggest I do?’ Jade couldn’t hide her exasperation. They’d had the dog for half a day and already she was driving Jade mad. Kelly could see no harm in her, which was making matters worse.

‘Don’t take it out on me,’ Kelly sulked, pouting.

‘I’m not. Sorry, I’m just stressed,’ Jade said as she marched off down the hall to find the dog. ‘No, Cupcake! No!’ she shouted as she saw the dog squatting down and urinating on the floor. ‘You’re meant to go on the puppy pad, you silly girl.’

The dog gave her an imperious look and sprinted off, making Jade even more incandescent. She cowered when Jade caught up with her.

‘Ah-ha!’ Jade felt a sense of achievement, ‘nowhere to run now, is there? I’ve got you, oh yes. Now, don’t even think of running off again.’ She swept her up and took her back to the office, closing the door firmly behind them.

‘Cupcake, you’re such a naughty little dog, aren’t you?’ Kelly said in her baby voice as the dog ran over to her and jumped, wanting to be picked up.

‘She’s weed again on the floor, so I’m going to clear it up,’ Jade said frustrated. They really needed to be getting on with things and Cupcake was taking up all their time. She never realised that dogs needed so much attention. They would have to close the door at all times now or she would just keep running out. The puppy pads were a complete nightmare as she either missed or just ignored them completely. And who knew that puppies went to the toilet so many times in one day! It was absurd!

‘Babe, just relax,’ Kelly told her when she walked back through the door. ‘I’ve got an idea. We’ll send Cupcake for a massage for a few hours so she can de-stress. It will give us some rest and then we’ll just give Lisa the bill. She feels a bit tense,’ Kelly observed, stroking the dog and feeling her back.

‘Are you being serious? Feels tense? A dog massage? Do they even do them? I don’t know about her being tense, but I sure as hell am.’

‘Yeah they definitely do them, Lord McButterpants always has them done,’ Kelly told Jade as she looked up the website on her iPhone. ‘Here you go. We’ll get her the gold package yeah? She gets a bath with shampoo and conditioner, mini massage, a deep cleanse facial, nail buffing, clipping and filing, haircut, goodie bag and toy.’

‘Wow. All for just one little dog,’ Jade was shocked.

‘Oh, but she’s so worth it though, aren’t you Cupcake?’ Kelly cooed.

Jade wasn’t so sure. She was cute to look at, but the way she was feeling right now, that was as far as it went. Kelly’s mum’s Chihuahua, Lord McButterpants, seemed much better behaved than Princess Cupcake. Lord McButterpants was honestly no trouble at all. ‘Right, you take her then and I’ll be getting on with these bikinis. Is that one done?’

‘Yes, look how well it’s come together,’ Kelly said as she held up the purple fringed top and bottoms.

‘Amazing,’ Jade said, in awe of Kelly’s work. ‘I can’t wait for the photo shoot now. Chloe should be here soon, she’s coming over to borrow one of my dresses for her friend’s party, so I can ask her to model the bikinis.’

‘Oh I love Chloe. I’ll go now and drop the dog off so I don’t miss her. I want to see her try this fringe one on.’

Fifteen minutes later Chloe arrived, looking as immaculate as ever without even trying. Her long blonde hair was wavy in a side parting, with a cute little plait pinned back on the right side. She was wearing light blue jeans with a tight baby pink jumper.

‘Hi,’ she said cheerfully with a huge smile.

‘Hi Chloe. Come in. Do you want a drink?’ Jade asked her as she closed the front door.

‘Yes please.’

‘Tea?’

‘Perfect.’

‘Come in the kitchen,’ Jade told her, ‘I’ll put the kettle on.’

They chatted for a few minutes while the kettle was boiling, until Jade brought it up.

‘I’m sure Sam has told you already that Kelly and I have started our own bikini business?’

‘Yes, it’s such a good idea,’ Chloe replied, ‘I’ll definitely be coming to you when I buy my holiday bikinis.’

‘Well, I was wondering if you’d like to model them on our website? My other friend Lisa is doing it too and she’s never modelled before, so you won’t be the only one. You can get some really nice photos and I don’t know, maybe you could even forward them on to some agencies or something. I’m sure you have what it takes if you do enjoy it.’

‘What me?’ Chloe was abashed. ‘You’re sure you want me to model on your website? Really?’ She looked flabbergasted.

‘Of course,’ Jade replied, amazed that she was so shocked, ‘you’re completely stunning! When we went shopping that time you had literally everyone staring at you. Even girls just want to gaze at you all day.’

Chloe’s face suffused with colour. ‘I don’t know what to say,’ she managed at last. ‘Thank you so much. I’d love to do it if you want me. I’m not sure if I’ll be any good though …’

‘Excellent!’ Jade was delighted. Chloe was such a sweet, modest girl; just as beautiful on the inside as the outside. She was perfect for the job.

The doorbell sounded and in walked Kelly.

‘She’s agreed,’ Jade informed her merrily.

‘Fab, hun. Now come try on this bikini I’ve just made. It’s going to look so beauts with your skin tone and hair colour!’

When Chloe walked in the office wearing their latest new bikini, Jade and Kelly watched her avidly and gasped. It looked nicer than they ever could have imagined.

‘Oh my God! Babe, you look like a Victoria’s Secret model,’ Kelly complimented her. ‘Your legs are so long. I would kill for them!’

‘Thanks,’ Chloe said, blushing from head to toe.

‘Do you like the bikini?’ Jade asked Chloe.

‘I love it!’ Chloe said with an honest smile. ‘You two are so clever.’

Kelly shook her head. ‘Babe, she’s the intellectual one that comes up with all the ideas. I’m just good at sewing and making the swimwear.’

‘Don’t put yourself down, Kelly,’ Jade told her crossly. ‘We’d be nowhere without you. And Chloe, as a thank you for modelling for us, seeing as we can’t pay you at this point, we’re going to let you and Lisa have a free bikini.’

‘Oh thank you so much!’ Chloe looked like she genuinely appreciated it. ‘I think I’m going to choose this one. It’s so nice.’

‘You haven’t even seen the others yet,’ Jade giggled, knowing that Chloe was going to end up loving them all. ‘Anyway, I’ll pick you up tomorrow night if that’s okay? Then take you to the studio and Kelly will do your hair and make-up.’

‘Okay, thanks. Thank you so much for asking me,’ Chloe smiled, revealing her perfectly straight white teeth.

‘Thank you so much for agreeing!’ Kelly said. She eyed her over, deep in thought. ‘Babe, you may want to come to me tonight for a spray tan. I mean, I know you’ve got quite naturally tanned skin, but … well Lisa is coming and I just think you should both look proper tanned. Obviously you don’t have to pay.’

‘Thank you,’ Chloe said.

‘Kelly, she’s tanned enough!’ Jade protested.

Kelly shook her head. ‘You can never be tanned enough; you know my motto.’

*

Chloe left Jade’s house, feeling on cloud nine. She couldn’t believe they actually wanted her to model! Her friends would all be so jealous. Maybe she wouldn’t tell them? She hated it when they envied her; they acted all weird and quiet, and she knew they constantly spoke about her behind her back. She recalled the one time when she started going out with the hottest boy from college, Adam Lockwood. Everyone had fancied him and she’d only said yes because all her friends had boyfriends at the time and she wanted to be able to join in conversations about dating and snogging. Her friends had been so bitchy, arranging days and nights out without telling her and not including her in any conversations. It was only when she broke up with him that they went back to normal, as though it had never happened. At first she thought she’d done something wrong, but when she confessed to her mum what was happening, she told her they were simply jealous, and that jealousy brought out a very vicious and nasty side to people. She didn’t want everyone to hate her but nothing could stop her feeling excited about tomorrow. She was going to have her own professional photos done as well as a free bikini and Kelly, who always looked gorgeous in her opinion, was going to be doing her spray tan, hair and make-up! Then to top it all off, she was going to be featured on their website! Chloe couldn’t wait to tell her mum. Sam and her dad might not like the idea of images of her wearing nothing but a bikini online so maybe she wouldn’t tell them for now. Her dad was so over-protective and old fashioned and she just knew he would ramble on about weirdos and perverts looking at her photos online. Sam looked out for her, but he wasn’t over the top like her dad, so maybe he would be okay with it.

Her mobile started ringing and Chloe was surprised when she saw Adele’s number flashing on the screen.

‘Hi Adele. You okay?’

‘Hello, babe,’ came the husky reply. ‘Yeah I’m good thanks. You?’

‘Yeah I’m really well,’ Chloe said. ‘Thanks again for the other night.’

‘That’s fine, honey. I only ended up going back to Sam’s didn’t I? God we were so wasted,’ Adele gave a little laugh.

Chloe was stunned and didn’t know what to say. Sam was with Jade; what on earth was he playing at? ‘Oh. What happened?’ She closed her eyes, trying to block out the thought of it.

There was a long pause. ‘Well it’s a bit awkward saying seeing as you’re his little sister, but I slept with him.’

Chloe felt sick. She’d always respected Sam so much and Jade was lovely. She never thought he would cheat on her. How could he? ‘Oh,’ was all Chloe managed to finally reply.

Adele exhaled what Chloe guessed was a cloud of smoke. ‘Yeah I know. I’m not exactly proud, but it takes two to tango doesn’t it?’ she replied robustly.

‘Yes, I suppose so,’ Chloe mumbled.

‘Anyway, babe. The reason I was calling is because I know I can trust you with something. It’s a long story, but basically Kelly and Jade have stolen my business idea and I know they’re going to be asking you to model the bikinis for their website.’

Chloe didn’t like the sound of this. She was sure Jade and Kelly would never steal Adele’s ideas, but Adele scared her too much for her to say that. She swallowed hard. ‘Yes, they did mention something about it,’ she answered wanly.

‘Oh good. I knew they would. Anyway hun, like I said, me and you go way back and I know I can trust you. I’ll need you to get in with them and report back to me what they’re doing and any new designs they come up with. I can count on you, can’t I, Chloe? You won’t let me down after I helped you the other night, will you?’ Adele’s voice was hectoring.

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