by Laura Ziepe
Charlie nodded, his eyes never leaving her face. ‘What kind of idiot let you go?’
Lisa was beginning to feel even more uncomfortable. He’d only just met her; why was he talking to her like this? She supposed he was just being friendly for Nicola’s sake. ‘It wasn’t really like that,’ she replied finally. ‘It’s a long story.’
He raised his broad shoulders. ‘Fair enough. All I’m saying though, is whoever had you and let you go is crazy.’
Lisa flushed and gave another nervous laugh, desperately trying to think of how to change the subject. ‘So where are you and Nicola off to this evening? Anywhere nice?’
He ran his hands through his thick, dark hair. He really was good looking, Lisa thought; she wasn’t too sure about his personality though. ‘I don’t know yet, we haven’t decided. Why don’t you join us?’ he asked, his mouth curving into a smile.
Lisa frowned. ‘No, it’s fine thank you. I’m sure you want to be alone together and I have plans already,’ she lied.
Charlie looked at her seriously. ‘That’s a shame.’
Lisa smiled awkwardly, wondering if it would be rude to say she had to go out all of a sudden. Why did he keep looking at her in that way? He was acting so odd that she didn’t know where to look. ‘Another time,’ Lisa said airily.
‘We’ll have to arrange a date,’ Charlie said with a twinkle in his eye. ‘When are you free?’
‘I’ll speak to Nicola and we’ll arrange something,’ Lisa said hastily, swallowing hard and wishing she could magically disappear. ‘Maybe I’ll bring a date along or something,’ she decided to add. She didn’t like the way he was now looking at her legs.
Charlie’s eyes flicked back to her face. ‘Maybe,’ he said, eyes narrowing as he nodded, as though he was weighing this up.
What is wrong with him? Lisa questioned. He was saying the most inappropriate things to his girlfriend’s housemate, especially one he had just met! Lisa could easily see how Nicola had fallen for him though. As well as his good looks, Charlie had this way of looking at you as though you were the only woman in the world. If it wasn’t her friend’s boyfriend and they’d just met in a bar or something, she probably wouldn’t find it so creepy.
Nicola waltzed back in the room and Charlie stood up. ‘Hair looks gorgeous,’ he complimented her, running his fingers through her blonde curls.
‘Thank you, honey. You ready? Shall we make a move?’
‘Cool with me. Lovely to meet you, Lisa.’
Lisa looked up at him and gave a little wave. ‘See you.’
‘Charlie, you get in the car, I’m just going to grab my bag,’ Nicola said, walking off to her room.
‘Look forward to seeing you again soon,’ Charlie said, looking over his shoulder before he left the flat. His intense eyes blazed into her, and Lisa looked away, glad that he was gone. She exhaled a sigh of relief.
Nicola came bounding round the corner. ‘Well honey, what did you think? How gorge is he? Did he say anything about me?’
Lisa smiled tightly. ‘Yes, he’s really … errr … really nice. He said you were getting on well,’ she fibbed, trying to make her friend happy.
Nicola squealed excitedly. ‘How lucky am I to have him? He’s completely adorable.’
Lisa’s smile froze on her lips. She decided to tell her about the invite. ‘He’s very friendly, isn’t he? He asked me to come out with you tonight,’ Lisa explained with a frown, worried about Nicola’s reaction.
Nicola beamed broadly. ‘Ahhh, bless him! How sweet is he? I told him you were single, so he was probably worried you had no one to go out with. He’s been asking all about you after I showed him your photo the other day. So cute that he takes such an interest in my friends.’
Lisa felt a wave of unease as she recalled him asking her if she was single. Why did he ask her if he already knew? It was so strange.
‘Don’t worry, honey,’ Nicola said, noticing Lisa’s unsettled expression. ‘He’s over-friendly to everyone. When you get to know him, you’ll love him as much as I do! Have a good night, honey. I’d better go as Charlie is waiting.’ Nicola bent down and planted a big kiss on Lisa’s face, leaving a red lipstick print.
‘Bye Nic, have fun,’ Lisa called after her as she left. Maybe Nicola was right then. Maybe Charlie was just over-friendly to everyone?
*
Sam was relaxing in bed, playing his PlayStation. He loved days like this; he had nothing to do until the evening and could completely chill out and do as he pleased all afternoon. No getting up early and putting on an uncomfortable suit or sitting on a packed, stuffy train; it was a great feeling. He was taking Jade to the theatre tonight as a surprise. He had told her it was just dinner in London, but he’d booked tickets to see Blood Brothers as well, as he remembered her saying she’d love to see it. He didn’t even have to think about getting out of his bed until about five-thirty, he thought happily, as he considered ordering a pizza. He ate healthily most days and was always in the gym, so one treat wouldn’t kill him and besides, they would be having a late dinner tonight after the show. He felt his phone vibrating on the bed and when he saw Jade’s name flashing, he assumed she was calling about their arrangements for later that evening.
‘Hi Jade,’ he said, eyes fixed on the screen in front of him as he played his computer game.
‘Sam, are you home now?’ Jade asked. Her peremptory tones weren’t lost on him and immediately he felt disturbed.
‘Yes, I’m in my room. Why?’ He had a feeling of dread and paused his game.
‘I’m outside,’ she replied with a steely edge to her voice. ‘Let me in; we need to talk.’
‘Okay, I’m coming,’ Sam said, jumping to his feet and walking to the front door nervously. Something was definitely wrong and he had a very bad feeling. ‘What’s up?’ he asked her with a concerned expression as he let her in.
Jade gave Sam a sinister glare. ‘I need to talk to you,’ she said as she marched through to his bedroom and sat on the bed, folding her arms.
Sam followed Jade and sat down beside her. He attempted a joke. ‘You’ve interrupted a brilliant computer game here, so I hope it’s good.’
Jade’s expression was frozen; she looked upset and angry, but her voice was calm as she spoke. ‘I need you to be honest with me for once. Tell me exactly what happened that night in Sugar Hut. I want to know everything.’
Sam exhaled and looked at the floor. She had clearly been told something and he had no choice but to come clean. He only wished he’d been brave enough to tell her before she’d been told by someone else. ‘Who have you spoken to?’ he asked. ‘Adele?’
‘Yes, I’ve just seen Adele. Now tell me everything.’ Jade’s hands were shaking and she looked nervous. All he wanted to do was cuddle her and tell her everything was going to be okay, but he didn’t dare.
Sam breathed harder and harder until he finally spoke. ‘Okay. I went to Sugar Hut that night and I admit, I got really drunk. I saw Adele in the queue and she tried to speak to me, but I brushed her off. It was only when Chloe told me she stuck up for her in the toilets against some horrible girls that I went over and thanked her and then obviously spoke about us. After that, it’s a complete blur; that’s the truth.’
‘So, she’s telling the truth then? You slept with her?’ Jade asked sharply, hurt and anger flashing in her eyes.
Sam’s face darkened and his voice was wobbly as he spoke. ‘I don’t think I did, no. I just don’t remember anything, Jade, you have to believe me. Ask Chloe, she’ll tell you what a state I was in. I would never cheat on you, ever, but I blacked out.’
Jade’s eyes thinned into slits. ‘So let me get this straight. You don’t think you slept with her, but you can’t be certain?’
Sam winced and he stared into space. ‘I can’t remember anything. I would never do anything to hurt you though. I just wish I could think back, but I can’t. I hate Adele, you know I do. There is no way I would have invited her back here so she must have just fol
lowed me, you know what she’s like. I can’t bear the girl.’
Jade shook her head and a tear slid down her perfectly bronzed cheeks, creating a white streak. She sniffed, choking on her tears as she spoke. ‘That’s not good enough, Sam. After everything I went through with Tom, and after everything Adele tried to do to keep us apart, I just can’t believe you would be so stupid. You’ve let me down badly. I hated it when she told me she’d spoken to you, let alone stayed the night at your flat!’
Sam felt sick. He didn’t have the words to make everything alright and it killed him. He didn’t want to lie anymore, but the truth sounded terrible and he was petrified she was going to leave him. ‘Please don’t cry, Jade. Come here.’ He put his arms out, but she bit her bottom lip and shook her head, sobbing.
‘Just leave me,’ she sniffed before she exhaled sharply and composed herself.
‘I don’t know what to say,’ Sam said honestly, feeling like he wanted to cry himself, but trying to be strong. ‘Adele could be making the whole thing up, which she probably is, but I want to be honest with you about what happened and the truth is, I just don’t know.’
Jade was suddenly calm. ‘She said she slept with you and she stayed here all night. Was she here in the morning when you woke up?’
Sam shook his head. ‘No, she wasn’t.’ He paused. ‘Jade, I’m so sorry. I’d do anything for you. I love you more than ever and I don’t want this to be the end. It would kill me.’
Jade took a tissue from her pocket and blew her nose. She turned to him and looked him in the eye, sadly. ‘Sam, I can’t accept the fact that you may or may not have slept with Adele behind my back, I’m sorry. We’ve all been drunk before and not remembered what happened, but someone is claiming to have had sex with you on this occasion and I’m never going to know the truth.’
Sam shook his head and his voice cracked. ‘Please, Jade. I can’t lose you. I honestly don’t think anything happened. I was too drunk to raise a smile, let alone anything else!’
‘But we’ll never know though, will we?’ Jade was adamant as she stood up. ‘I can’t do this, Sam. It’s over.’
Even though he knew she was going to say it, Sam couldn’t believe his ears. This couldn’t be it! He may have got drunk and blacked out, but there was no evidence he actually did anything wrong! The image of the pink thong he found in his bed popped into his mind and he pushed it away. It didn’t matter though; he knew how drunk he was that night and doubted very much he’d even been able to kiss someone, let alone have sex with them. Adele was making it up, he was almost certain. Sam jumped up and ran after Jade, grabbing her hand and trying to pull her back.
‘Please Jade! I didn’t do anything! I can’t have done. Don’t go!’ He knew he sounded desperate, but that was exactly what he was.
‘Leave me,’ Jade said breathlessly. ‘I just can’t do this, Sam. I feel humiliated and let down more than ever by you.’
He nodded. ‘I know. I love you, Jade. I’m so sorry,’ he managed, as he watched the girl of his dreams walk out of his life. What on earth was he going to do without her?
*
The following day Chloe danced about on the spot, ecstatic at the news she’d received from her agency. She had landed a speaking role in a commercial! She had been terrified at the casting; the waiting room had been filled with the most beautiful girls she had ever seen and she had honestly thought she didn’t stand a chance.
‘Mum!’ she called, as she ran downstairs to tell her the good news. She sighed as she realised her mum must have already gone out for the day. Chloe decided she would wait until she got home later rather than call her up. The money for the commercial was fantastic; her mum was going to be so pleased for her! Maybe she’d offer to take her on a shopping trip to New York with her earnings?
Chloe couldn’t stop smiling as she made herself some toast. This was the best day of her life for sure! Out of all those girls, she was selected; it was the best feeling in the world. When the doorbell rang, Chloe hoped it was a dress she’d ordered online turning up. Her friends had asked her to go out at the weekend and she’d bought it especially. There was no way she’d be telling them about the commercial, she decided, as she made her way to the front door. They wouldn’t be happy for her in the slightest. No, she wouldn’t mention this to them unless she had to.
As Chloe opened the door, her jaw dropped. It was Adele with the fakest smile plastered on her face, revealing her new veneers. ‘Hi Adele.’
‘Morning, babe. Ohhh is that toast in your hand? Make me some, will you?’ Adele pushed past Chloe and made her way down the hall into the kitchen, where she descended into a chair at the table.
‘Two slices?’ Chloe replied feebly as she put some bread into the toaster.
‘Please. Make me a cuppa as well please, hun. One sugar.’ Adele took out a cigarette and lit it.
Chloe grimaced as Adele exhaled a cloud of smoke. ‘Adele, my mum will go mad if you smoke in here! Put it out.’ She waved her hands in the air, trying to magically make the smoke disappear.
Adele flicked her hand in Chloe’s direction, dismissing her comment. ‘Oh chillax, will you? Your mum isn’t even here and I’m sure by the time she gets back the smoke will be gone.’
Chloe huffed angrily, wishing she was brave enough to tell Adele to get lost. Instead she slumped to the kettle with a heavy heart to make tea. As much as she’d love to, she simply couldn’t defy Adele; the consequences were too frightening. Besides, Adele looked out for her; they were friends.
‘Cheers, babe,’ Adele said when Chloe placed her mug of steaming tea in front of her. ‘How’s the modelling going?’ she asked.
‘Good,’ Chloe nodded meekly, as she sipped her tea.
‘Landed any jobs yet?’ Adele smiled in a patronising way. When Chloe didn’t answer straight away Adele added, ‘Don’t worry if you haven’t, babe. No offence, but you’re just another young girl wanting to be a model. There are tons of girls out there who are going to be better looking than you and better at modelling; it’s a tough industry and you’ll just have to get used to knockbacks.’
‘Actually,’ Chloe finally replied with a twinkle in her eye, desperate to tell someone her news, ‘I just landed my first commercial! My agency called me up a moment ago and told me the good news!’
Adele smiled tightly and swallowed hard. ‘Well done.’ She flicked her hair over her shoulder. ‘Anyway, let’s talk about something more important than all that trivial modelling nonsense. Do you like my new teeth? They’re totes amaze aren’t they?’ She smiled, showing off her pearly whites.
Chloe nodded and sat at the table in front of her. ‘They look really good, you’re right.’ Deep down she thought they looked a bit too over the top, but obviously they made Adele happy so she didn’t want to ruin it for her.
Adele munched her toast, deep in thought, before turning to Chloe with a serious expression. ‘Okay, let’s get down to business.’
This was what Chloe was dreading. She hadn’t been able to sleep the previous night because she felt so guilty about what she was about to do. She knew Adele was her friend, but no matter how hard she tried, she simply couldn’t imagine Jade and Kelly stealing her business. Chloe was certain Adele must have got it wrong and now here she was, helping Adele copy everything they did.
Adele continued. ‘I take it you got what I asked for? At the end of the day, you know you have no other option but to show me.’
Chloe sighed, feeling like the world’s biggest traitor, gave a little nod of her head and walked out of the kitchen to get Adele what she wanted. Everything in her life was going well apart from this. When was Adele going to stop asking her to sneak around? She felt completely trapped by her at times. Chloe walked back in the kitchen and handed the several pieces of paper to Adele.
Adele scanned the sheets, her eyes like saucers and Chloe felt like her heart was in her mouth as she waited for her reaction. Adele put the papers down on the table and smiled so widely that she rem
inded Chloe of the Grinch. ‘Great work,’ she declared, approvingly.
Chloe turned away and began to tidy up, unable to say anything because the guilt was eating away at her. She couldn’t believe she’d stolen and photocopied the papers with Jade and Kelly’s new bikini designs. She’d gone to see Jade one evening and when she’d used the bathroom upstairs had crept off to her office, like Adele had told her to. She’d found the bikini sketches in no time, quickly photocopied them using Jade’s photocopier and stuffed them in her bag. Now she’d just handed them over to their biggest rival; Adele.
‘Loving these new designs they’ve come up with, especially the bikinis with the flowers,’ Adele said, drumming her long, rock-hard acrylic nails on the table. ‘Have they made any of them yet?’
Chloe shook her head, wishing Adele would just leave and stop asking questions. ‘Not that I know of, no.’
Adele gave a bark of laughter. ‘I’ll just have to beat them to it then and make them faster.’
Chloe winced at the sound of Adele’s rough, gravelly laugh. She stared at Adele. ‘Why don’t you just come up with your own ideas?’
Adele’s mood changed suddenly and the smile was wiped off her face instantly. She stood up and walked over to Chloe, looking her square in the eye. Chloe was terrified.
Adele’s voice grew louder as she spoke. ‘Do you really think I have time to come up with stupid designs, you silly little girl? I have orders to attend to, bikinis to make; it’s not easy this job you know! Those two idiots, Tweedle Dee and Tweedle bloody Dum have each other, whereas I work alone! Don’t ask me stupid questions like that again, Chloe.’
Despite Chloe being taller, she visibly shrunk in front of Adele. ‘Sorry.’
Adele’s demeanour changed again and she smiled sweetly. ‘That’s okay. Listen, we’re friends, aren’t we?’ she asked with a casual laugh, as if to say this was all silliness.
Chloe nodded hesitantly. Yes, they were friends, but sometimes it felt like Adele was just using her.