MADE IN ESSEX

by Laura Ziepe

  Jade’s eyes were watery as she spoke, her voice croaky. ‘You shouldn’t have even spoken to her that night, you know she’s trouble. You shouldn’t have ever put yourself in that situation where she can manipulate and ruin things. You hurt me so much.’

  Sam closed his eyes, knowing everything Jade was saying was true. ‘I know.’ He looked at her seriously. ‘Jade, I swear to God, if you find it in your heart to give me another chance I would never, ever do anything stupid like that again. I’ll be honest with you about everything; I’ll never get myself into a situation like that and let you down again. I have missed you more than I ever thought possible. I have been in pieces without you and I’ve laid in my bed, night after night, asking myself why I let this happen. I love you, Jade, so very much …’ Sam stopped when his eyes felt hot and blurry with threatening tears, and wiped them forcefully, shocked that all this emotion was finally coming out. ‘Please give me another chance; I haven’t stopped thinking about you since you left my life. Nothing is the same without you. If I ever mess up again in any way, you have every right to leave me, but I know I won’t. Not this time: not ever,’ Sam choked.

  He gazed at her intently and his heart leapt as she slowly smiled lovingly. ‘Oh Sam, I’ve missed you so much,’ she said, leaning over to hug him. Sam took in the scent of her hair, which smelt like apples, and thought he’d burst with happiness. He pulled back, looking into her beautiful blue eyes. ‘Does this mean …?’

  Jade beamed a broad smile and said in a soft voice, ‘Yes. One more chance. Please don’t make me regret it.’

  ‘Never, I promise,’ he replied breathlessly. He kissed her softly at first, but when he tasted Jade’s sweet lips, he pulled her head closer to his, realising how much he’d missed her touch. He’d been forgiven and Sam felt overjoyed; he had meant every word he said to Jade and there was no way he was ever going to mess this up again. He was the luckiest man alive; he’d been given another chance and he couldn’t thank Kelly enough. ‘Let me take you out for the rest of the day, now I have you back, I don’t want to leave you,’ he said as he gazed into her twinkling eyes.

  ‘I can’t,’ Jade said regretfully, as she shook her head. ‘We have so much work to do and I need to go and help Kelly with the bikinis, calls and emails. She’ll tell me she can manage alone if I ask, but I know it’ll be a struggle and it’s not really fair. It’s a really busy day today.’

  ‘Okay babe. Anything I can do to help?’ Sam offered, holding her hand and running his thumb along her smooth skin.

  ‘Well, you could answer the phone to customers?’ Jade said with a little giggle. ‘Though I doubt you know much about swimwear.’

  ‘I’m a quick learner,’ Sam smiled, opening his car door. ‘Now come on, let’s get this work done and I’ll treat you and Kelly to dinner afterwards.’

  ‘Okay, but remember who’s in charge here.’

  Sam saluted in mock seriousness, ‘Yes, boss!’

  *

  Kelly sat down in the lounge, sipping the cup of tea Jade had just made her. It had been a difficult day with plenty to do, but they had got there in the end with Sam’s help. The phone hadn’t stopped ringing and Sam had been answering the calls, while she and Jade had been finishing the bikinis to the highest quality to ensure they got to their customers on time. She smiled to herself as she watched Sam kiss Jade when she handed him his mug of steaming tea. He looked elated now that he had Jade back. His eyes were sparkling and he couldn’t stop smiling; it was so romantic and Kelly felt proud that it was all down to her doing. Jade too, looked thrilled, constantly laughing and smiling at every opportunity; Kelly was thankful that Adele hadn’t managed to break up two people that were clearly so in love.

  ‘Fancy coming for dinner with us, Kelly?’ Sam asked, glancing in her direction as Jade went back into the kitchen.

  Kelly shook her head, knowing that she had to see Billy at some point; they had hardly spoken since she’d been to his house that day. Kelly had wanted to find out some more information about Gary before speaking to Billy about it, so she’d been really quick on the phone when he’d called and made up excuses as to why she had to go. If she was honest, she was also still hurt about the way he’d spoken to her as well; calling her stupid had really upset her. ‘That’s really nice to ask me, Sam,’ Kelly replied, blowing the top of her mug to cool her tea down, ‘but I need to see Billy tonight. Besides, you two probably have a lot of catching up to do and I wouldn’t want to get in the way.’

  ‘You wouldn’t be getting in the way, I promise. I owe you big time and wanted to treat you. You sure you won’t come?’

  ‘Another time,’ Kelly smiled.

  Jade walked in and switched the television on and they sat and relaxed together.

  Half an hour later, Kelly left the two love birds and called Billy to check if he was home.

  ‘Hi Kelly,’ he answered, sounding surprised to hear from her. ‘I was just about to call you actually.’

  ‘Oh were you? I just wondered if you wanted to meet up tonight?’

  ‘Kelly, I wanted to ask you something,’ Billy said in a serious, firm tone. ‘I just called Gary and he told me he found you in his garden late the other night. Apparently you’d lost a football?’

  Oh no, Kelly thought pulling a face, I knew that football story would come back to haunt me. She could tell by his tone he knew she’d lied to Gary, but she was too embarrassed to tell him she was spying. ‘Yes, I was messing around in the garden with Lucy.’

  He sounded incredulous. ‘Lucy? Who the hell is Lucy? Kelly, I know you’d never play football so you may as well come clean and tell me what you were doing there. Gary didn’t sound too impressed that he found you in his back garden at night and to be honest, this whole thing is looking rather weird and creepy.’

  I only did it to help you! Kelly wanted to scream. Besides, why was he so certain that she didn’t play football in her spare time? She wouldn’t, but that wasn’t the point. ‘For your information Billy, I’ve actually become rather a fan of football recently and Lucy and I were playing in her garden; I didn’t even know Gary lived next door! I support a team and everything.’

  ‘Okay,’ Billy replied sounding sceptical. ‘Which team do you support?’

  Damn, Kelly thought, racking her brains for the name of a team. Were Arsenal Villa one? No, she was sure that didn’t sound right. If only she wasn’t speaking on her mobile she could have quickly looked one up. She didn’t know the first thing about football! Who did that hot player, Frank Lampard play for? Her mind went blank. ‘I support …’ Think, Kelly, think. ‘QVC,’ she said in a jovial, triumphant voice. Ha! Take that, Billy!

  She frowned when she heard him laughing.

  ‘Do you mean QPR?’ He sniggered. ‘I think you’re getting muddled up with the shopping channel, babe.’

  Oops. Kelly sighed; she still wasn’t going to tell Billy the truth. She had most likely been barking up the wrong tree, but at the time she had truly believed that Gary had something to do with the scam. She didn’t want to admit to Billy she was wrong. ‘Yes, that’s what I said, babe,’ she answered.

  ‘Whatever, Kelly,’ Billy replied suspiciously. ‘I know there’s more to it.’

  Kelly thought she would check how things were to change the subject. ‘Any more news on this Alfie bloke?’

  Billys’ lowered his voice. ‘No. I’ve been going round to Gary’s to try and sort things out, but the CID dealing with it doesn’t seem to be getting anywhere.’

  ‘Ah babe, I’m sorry.’

  Billy cleared his throat. ‘Me and Gal are doing all we can. Gary’s completely pissed off and down like I am; he’s completely cut up about it and it’s horrible, I’ve never seen him like this.’

  Kelly frowned. Both times she’d seen him he’d been laughing. Once again a feeling of doubt crept up on her. ‘Did he say anything about going on holiday, hun?’

  Billy sounded bemused. ‘Holiday? Kelly, don’t be so ridiculous. As if now would be a g
ood time for either of us to go on holiday! Why are you asking that?’ he said questioningly.

  Kelly bit her lip, wondering whether she should tell him. ‘Look, I saw Gary the other day after I left yours driving in his Porsche and he was laughing his head off with some man in the car. I just find it hard to see how you can say he’s in bits when I’ve never seen him look happier. When I went to his garden … to find the football, I could hear through the wall and I heard him say something about going on holiday.’

  ‘Kelly, please don’t say you’re going to start on about all this again! You must have heard wrong; I can assure you Gary isn’t going anywhere. Look, babe, I appreciate that you want to help, but please don’t point the finger at one of my best mates. I’ve said before, Gary Jacobs is like one of the family. If you want to blame anyone, blame Alfie Salmon!’

  Kelly’s brows knitted as he said the last words. Alfie Salmon? Why did that name ring a bell? She racked her brains for the answer, but it wouldn’t come. ‘Okay Bill,’ she said to placate him, ‘I’ll forget about it. Now am I seeing you tonight or what?’

  ‘I hope so, babe. I’ve missed you the last few days. Come round about eight?’

  ‘See you there.’

  Ten minutes later, Kelly put rollers in her hair to give it lots of volume and reapplied her make-up, coating her lips in Bobbi Brown pale pink gloss. Why had that name Salmon stuck in her mind? She doubted it was significant, but it was bugging her. Then she remembered that she’d had a client with that last name not too long ago. What was her first name? Kelly grabbed her beauty diary and found the name. It was a pedicure and manicure, she was sure of it. She ran her index finger along, searching through all the dates, pleased with herself when she spotted what she was looking for. Oh yes, that was it; Hilary Salmon and Susan Jacobs. Kelly froze on the spot. Jacobs and Salmon. Then it clicked. That was where Gary’s mum had recognised her from that night in the garden! It was Susan who she’d given a manicure and pedicure to that time! There was a link and Kelly was certain at that point that Gary and this Alfie bloke were in on it together. Their families clearly knew each other! There was no way this was a coincidence. Leaving her rollers in her hair, Kelly grabbed her car keys and ran out of the door.

  *

  Lisa rang Nicola’s doorbell nervously, hoping that Nicola would answer. She’d never been inside her parents’ house before and would probably feel rather awkward if they’d heard from Nicola why she was staying there. She waited patiently, reassured that someone was home when she heard some movement from inside the house. Lisa had to prevent herself from gasping when a tall, blond-haired man answered the door, with the most smouldering blue eyes she’d ever seen.

  He gave her a half-smile, his voice soft and sexy when he spoke. ‘Can I help you?’

  Lisa felt herself blush and cursed herself; she was completely giving away that she found him drop-dead gorgeous, how embarrassing? ‘Oh hi. Is Nicola here? I’m her roommate and really need to see her.’

  He nodded and opened the door. ‘She’s actually just popped to the shops for some milk, she won’t be five minutes. Come in,’ he said walking into the biggest kitchen Lisa had ever seen.

  Wow, Lisa thought, so this is where Nicola grew up? The place was huge!

  ‘Take a seat,’ the blond man smiled at her. ‘Do you want a drink?’

  Lisa shook her head. ‘I’m fine thanks,’ she replied, unable to look him in the eye for long without feeling her face go hot.

  ‘I’m Ben, Nicola’s older brother, by the way,’ he announced.

  ‘Lisa,’ she beamed broadly, feeling butterflies in her stomach. What was wrong with her today? She watched Ben as he started tidying up the kitchen. She could tell he and Nicola were related, even though they didn’t look that much alike. They both had intense bright blue eyes, and were tall, as well as sharing the same cute ski-slope noses. Ben had a gorgeous, masculine jawline though, Lisa noticed.

  ‘She shouldn’t be long,’ he assured her.

  ‘That’s okay,’ Lisa replied cheerily, playing on her phone for something to do. A few seconds later Lisa heard the front door opening.

  ‘Ahhh,’ Ben said walking towards the front of the house. ‘That must be her.’

  Lisa could hear their muffled voices and she stood up as Nicola walked in the room. She looked completely different; her long hair was scraped back off her head and she had no make-up on whatsoever, which was unheard of.

  ‘Hi Nic, are you okay?’ Lisa asked, her voice full of concern. ‘I’m sorry to come here, but I didn’t know what else to do; I really needed to talk to you.’

  Nicola nodded slowly. ‘Come up to my room and we can talk,’ she told her, walking to the stairs.

  Lisa looked round Nicola’s bedroom in awe. She had a stunning king size four-poster bed with ivory drapes, and a French shabby chic chaise longue, which Lisa sat on. The whole house was absolutely beautiful and Nicola’s room was no exception.

  ‘I was going to come back to the flat tonight,’ Nicola sat, sitting on the bed.

  ‘You were?’ Lisa was surprised. ‘Look, I don’t even know where to start about the whole Charlie thing.’ Lisa took a deep breath and closed her eyes for a second, trying to think of the best way to word it. ‘The truth is, Nicola, I always thought Charlie was a bit of a creep; even from the first time I met him. I can’t explain why, but my initial thoughts were only confirmed when he started making odd comments to me. They were just a bit inappropriate, you know? He told me once that you couldn’t meet him for lunch and invited himself along with me. Then when I went back to the office, you told me you’d already been with him! Do you remember that day I told you I’d dreamt someone came in my room at night?’ Lisa asked her. This was going to be a hard thing to tell Nicola.

  Nicola nodded glumly.

  ‘It was Charlie,’ Lisa cringed as she said it. ‘Look, I’ll show you the text,’ Lisa said, fishing for her phone in her bag.

  ‘There’s no need,’ Nicola said with a sigh.

  Lisa gazed at her, hoping she hadn’t taken Charlie’s side somehow. ‘Oh?’

  Nicola attempted a smile. ‘I know he’s a complete sleaze, honey. He followed me back here that day I saw him trying to kiss you. He fed me all the lines; that it was you coming on to him, he loved me, etc. So when he went to make me a drink I looked down his phone because I didn’t believe him; I just knew you would never betray me like that. I’d never normally feel the need to look down anyone’s phone; you know I don’t believe in being with someone if you can’t trust them.’

  Lisa nodded sadly. She dreaded to think what Charlie had on his phone.

  ‘There were tons of messages, honey. Texts to loads of girls I didn’t know. I saw the one he sent to you as well; he’s sick in the head and I told him straight there and then! I threw his phone at him and told him never to come back.’ Nicola shook her head, still in disbelief. ‘I suppose I knew he was a flirt, but I didn’t think he was up to anything like that.’

  ‘Oh Nic, I’m so sorry,’ Lisa said, leaning forward and giving her a hug.

  Nicola shrugged. ‘I’m not going to lie; I have been a bit upset. But I was thinking about it today and I’m a hundred per cent better off without him.’

  ‘More like a zillion per cent,’ Lisa giggled.

  ‘Exactly, honey,’ Nicola agreed. ‘I heard my brother telling his mate Adam earlier that he was going to meet him for some drinks in Switch Bar in South Woodford. Adam is unreal, honey. I’ve had a crush on him for ages. Shall we go?’

  Lisa tried to act casual about it, even though she felt her heart flutter at the thought of being in the same place as Ben all night. ‘Yeah, why not?’ She laughed. ‘You don’t waste time, do you?’

  Nicola smiled. ‘Best way to be, honey, trust me. When one door closes another one opens,’ she beamed. ‘What did Ben speak to you about earlier?’ Nicola asked as she took her hair down and plugged her curlers in.

  Lisa looked down at her nails awkwardly. ‘Not much.’<
br />
  Nicola’s mouth hung wide open. ‘Oh my God, honey! You’re blushing! You don’t have a crush on Ben, do you?’ Nicola said, grimacing at the thought of anyone fancying her brother.

  Lisa’s hands flew up to her cheeks. ‘No! Keep your voice down,’ she hissed. She’d be mortified if Ben overheard.

  Nicola couldn’t contain her grin. ‘Secret is safe with me, honey,’ she winked. ‘Adam is the same age as Ben; they’re twenty-five. This night could turn out better than I first thought, eh?’

  Lisa’s mouth curled upwards; she sure as hell hoped so.

  *

  Adele rolled her eyes for what felt like the twentieth time that day. ‘For goodness’ sake, Donna! You’re the bride. If anyone should go through with it, it’s you! Just stay still!’

  Donna’s eyes were wide open in terror as the doctor stood there, holding the needle just inches away from her face. ‘You promise me it doesn’t hurt?’ she asked in a shaky voice.

  ‘You’ll feel a tiny, sharp prick, but no, it won’t hurt any more than that,’ the doctor assured her in his calm, gentle tones. ‘Just stay very still for me now.’

  Donna knocked his hand away. ‘Just give me a minute; I’m scared of needles!’ she gasped, breathlessly.

  ‘Okay, take your time,’ the doctor replied patiently.

  Adele huffed. ‘Oh this is just getting ridiculous!’ she scoffed. Her voice was clipped. ‘Just bloody lie still, close your eyes and relax. It doesn’t hurt; I’ve told you a hundred times! Do you want smooth skin on your wedding day or what? Everyone has Botox nowadays, it’s completely normal!’

  Donna took deep breaths, her hands trembling as she lay back down. ‘Okay, okay.’

  Adele sighed. Donna better do it this time, she thought to herself irritably; she was holding a Botox party and the more people that went through with the procedure, the cheaper hers would be. Donna’s constant hesitation was seriously pushing her to the limit. She sighed with relief as the doctor slid the needle expertly into Donna’s forehead.