The Perfect Escape

by Claudia Carroll

  The loud shrill ringtone of his mobile interrupted his thoughts. He smiled when he saw Jade’s name flashing across the screen.

  ‘Hi Jade.’

  ‘Hi.’

  ‘What’s up?’

  ‘Nothing really. Kelly just called me and said she’s coming to Bath for the day to see me. She was on the train when she rang. She’s feeling down about something and wants cheering up so we’re going out for the day. Just thought I’d let you know as I won’t be able to see you today or tonight and I know we were going to do something.’

  He was disappointed. ‘Oh right. Why didn’t she tell you she was coming beforehand?’

  ‘Something has happened and she’s really upset. It wasn’t planned. Sorry,’ came the curt reply.

  He sighed. ‘Oh well, it can’t be helped. Why don’t you stay at mine and wait for me to get back before you leave to meet her? You got me all worked up this morning and I’d love to get back under those covers with you.’

  ‘I can’t. She’s not going to be much longer so I’m leaving your place now,’ Jade replied breezily.

  Tom was irritated. ‘Fine. Tell Kelly that in future you need a bit of notice. You can’t just be there whenever she decides to come down. You do have a life.’

  ‘Tom, my friend is upset and needs me, so I’m going to be there for her. Look, I need to get going so perhaps I’ll see you tomorrow.’

  ‘Fair enough. Bye.’

  Tom felt well and truly put out. How inconvenient that Kelly had just decided last minute to visit Jade. Did she not think that Jade may have made plans? She was supposedly feeling down about something, Jade had said. Perhaps she’d broken a nail, Tom sniggered to himself. Didn’t she have any other bloody friends in Essex to whine to? He had no plans for the rest of the day now as all his friends had gone away for the weekend. Maybe it wasn’t such a good idea to finish with Louisa just yet. Perhaps he’d see what she was up to? She was always game for anything – and he certainly wouldn’t be getting any sex from Jade today, after all.

  He called the boys over and started the warm-up session.

  Jade was amazed how calm she had been on the phone to Tom. She had really wanted to scream at him the minute she heard his voice, but knew that wouldn’t get her anywhere. Who did he think he was, telling her to inform Kelly she needed to give more notice next time? Had he always been like that – or was she only just seeing him now for who he truly was? The more she thought about it, the more Jade realised he was always trying to control her.

  She calmly collected her things from the flat, making sure she hadn’t left anything behind.

  Jade wished deep in her heart that the whole thing was just a huge mistake; that they could carry on normally and forget any of this ever happened. What she would give for that feeling of utter happiness and complete contentment that she’d had only forty minutes ago. She always thought she was so lucky to have Tom, but now she could see she wasn’t at all; he was lucky to have her. She wasn’t perfect, she knew that; she snored a little (so she’d been told), she often sat in her pyjamas all day and no, she never felt quite herself without her fake eyelash extensions. But she was loyal, honest and trustworthy and had truly loved him. She would never betray someone she loved and she would have done anything for him. So, he was the loser. He was welcome to that tart.

  Jade closed the front door behind her quietly and ran to her car. She thanked her lucky stars she’d hadn’t bumped into Tom’s mum on the way out, as she would probably want to chat for ages and ask her where she was going. It was clear that his mum never thought she was good enough, so the last thing Jade needed was to run into her. Jade had had to bite her tongue on more than one occasion, especially when she commented that perhaps Jade should consider a cookery class so she could feed her son ‘decent’ meals, after she’d cooked Tom a Marks and Spencer meal deal one evening. What was wrong with a meal deal? It wasn’t as though she’d cooked him a Pot Noodle or something! Jade started the ignition, her mind working overtime, wondering what she could do to get her revenge.

  When she walked through the front door to her flat she noticed a leaflet on the welcome mat about a ‘Sleeping Beauty’ theatre performance that evening at the university. I wonder if his little bit on the side is performing? Jade wondered as she eyed the cast list avidly. As soon as she saw the name ‘Louisa Dalton’ written as the main part of Sleeping Beauty the idea came to her. If it worked, it was the perfect way to show Tom up. The perfect way to show him that, actually, she was in control. Jade couldn’t wait.

  Tom pulled into his drive and suddenly realised how hungry he was. His mum would be up by now and he couldn’t wait to eat one of the legendary bacon and cheese baguettes that she made every Saturday. He would miss his mum spoiling him when he left home. Jade had already said outright that she would not be waiting on him hand and foot, especially when they were both working. Women and their bloody equal rights these days, Tom thought, infuriated. Maybe he’d suggest that she paid for meals out equally too, see how she liked that!

  He was the only one still living at home, as his older brother had moved out a long time ago, and his mum loved nothing more than to fuss over him. He certainly wasn’t complaining. Jade often told him he should help his mum out more and that she shouldn’t be still ironing his clothes, but she liked doing it and besides, what did Jade know? It made his mum happy to be there for him, it made her feel needed. He didn’t have a clue how to iron and if he was honest, he didn’t want to know how to either. As far as he was concerned it was a woman’s job.

  He walked through his front door and the smell of bacon came wafting towards him, much to his delight.

  ‘Morning Tom,’ his mum said, handing him a baguette wrapped in a napkin.

  ‘Morning Mum.’ He took a huge, hungry bite.

  ‘Think I heard Jade leave earlier. She didn’t say goodbye though.’

  Tom could see she was offended. ‘I wouldn’t take it personally, Mum. She was in a rush as her dopey Essex friend is upset about something and has just turned up to see her.’

  ‘Still, she could have at least called out that she was leaving to me. So what are you doing today then?’

  ‘I’m not sure yet. About to make plans,’ he said, as he walked out the kitchen, chewing a delicious mouthful of bacon. He was humming as he kicked his shoes off and made his way upstairs. His mum was very particular about not wearing shoes on her cream carpets. She was extremely house-proud, exactly how women should be, he thought fondly. Tom sat on the bed, annoyed that Jade hadn’t even bothered to make it for once, which was unlike her. Too worried about meeting up with that bimbo, he thought. He reached into his drawer and searched for his phone, hidden under a few large notepads. He switched it on and wasn’t surprised to see a text message sent a few minutes earlier from Louisa. God, she was keen, he thought arrogantly.

  What are you up to tonight? Want to fulfill a fantasy of mine?

  This was more like it, Tom thought as he read the message. Maybe Jade had done him a favour blowing him out in the end. A night of fulfilling fantasies had to be better than a picnic and perhaps the dull cinema later on, surely? He texted back, wondering what Louisa had in mind.

  Sounds good to me. What time and where shall we meet?

  Hopefully it was a threesome and she had another hot friend; that would be the best night ever! How his friends would be jealous if he told them that was how he’d spent his Saturday night. A text pinged back almost straight away.

  Meet me at the university theatre at six tonight. It’ll be empty, I’ve checked and the doors are always open. I’ve always wanted to do it on the stage. Every time I see it, I picture us together on it. Take all your clothes off and wait for me. It’ll be dark in there and I’ll meet you. Promise I won’t be late xx

  Was she being serious? The university theatre? What if somebody saw them? Then again, who would be at the university theatre on a Saturday night? The whole campus was usually dead at weekends because people went home,
and she did say she was sure it was empty. Plus, who cared if a cleaner or caretaker got a cheeky glimpse? Knowing someone could be watching them might even even be a turn on. If there were loads of people around he would just meet her outside and tell her they had to go somewhere else; maybe they could do it in his car in the car park? His phone beeped again.

  I hope you’re not going to be a chicken? Come on, I want to get dirty with you on the stage …

  He sighed. How could he refuse that? He’d look like a complete loser if he turned her down. Maybe she wanted to boast to all her theatre friends that she’d done it on the stage with him; she was obviously up for it so why shouldn’t he be. The worst thing that could happen was that someone would see them and it might get back to Jade, but that was a risk he was willing to take – the thought of doing it somewhere different was just too much of a thrill to turn down. Louisa might not be the love of his life, but she sure as hell could be fun at times. She wasn’t even asking to be taken out for dinner beforehand like she normally did, so it seemed that finally she was getting the picture it was only ever going to be just sex between them.

  Okay, you’re on. Wear that sexy black underwear set I love. See you at six then xx

  Jade felt sick when she read his reply, hands shaking with adrenaline and anger. Her sexy black underwear? Did she ever actually know Tom at all? Right now, it didn’t seem like it. He’d been with her last night in his bed and now he was happily meeting up with some slag offering herself on a plate to him! It had been so easy getting him to meet too; he didn’t seem to hesitate for a moment. At least her plan was working, she told herself, looking for the handcuffs he’d bought her last Valentine’s day and placing them in her bag. The fact that he’d agreed to meet Louisa without a second thought made Jade certain that he was about to get what he deserved.

  At five thirty that evening she made her way to the university theatre. Luckily there was no one around. The performers and staff wouldn’t be there for about another hour or so, so she had plenty of time to make sure her plan ran smoothly.

  The stage was already filled with props, which included a single bed for Sleeping Beauty, made from wrought iron. She tested the handcuffs, satisfied that they would go round the posts of the bed. Now all she had to do was sit in the darkened wings at the side of the stage and wait for him. She switched the lights off and waited.

  Twenty minutes later she heard the door open, and Jade’s heart was thumping so loudly in her chest that she couldn’t breathe. What if it wasn’t him? What if someone had arrived early for the performance tonight? She heard the footsteps coming closer to the stage.

  ‘Louisa?’

  It was Tom.

  ‘Yes,’ she whispered, trying to disguise her voice. It was pitch black in the room and she could roughly make out the outline of his body.

  ‘Come here then,’ he said, his voice thick with lust as he removed his belt, the buckle making a loud bang as it hit the floor. She could hear him removing his t-shirt and then his jeans. Then she knew he was silently peeling off his boxer shorts. She peeked carefully, and saw Tom lying on the bed.

  Jade felt a mixture of emotions. She was angrier than she’d ever been in her life, but nervous at the same time. She knew any feelings she had ever held for him had gone. Here was her long-term boyfriend, who she was planning on moving in with, stripping off naked for another girl. She made her way over to the bed, terrified that he would know immediately it was her and not Louisa. She was almost there; her plan couldn’t go wrong now.

  ‘Come here, sexy,’ he pleaded as she approached the bed, concealed by shadows.

  ‘Close your eyes,’ she whispered. ‘I have a surprise for you.’

  ‘Mmm … I like surprises,’ he said in a husky voice. ‘They’re closed.’

  She walked over to him, took his arms and handcuffed each one to the posts of the bed.

  ‘Kinky,’ he said. ‘I like it.’

  She stifled a giggle and began to pick his clothes up off the floor.

  ‘Come here, babe. What are you doing? Where are you going?’

  Jade spoke loud and clear in her own voice. ‘I thought you liked surprises?’

  ‘Who is that?’ Tom asked in a panicky voice, trying to get up and yanking his arms, frustrated that he couldn’t move.

  ‘Oh, it’s only your girlfriend. Remember me? Mind you, you’re probably too busy shagging other girls to actually give a shit.’

  ‘Jade?’

  ‘Well at least you haven’t forgotten my name,’ she said sarcastically.

  ‘What the hell are you doing here? Take these handcuffs off me now. Let me explain! Just let me out!’

  He sounded terrified now and Jade was ashamed to admit she was enjoying it.

  ‘Why should I do anything you ask me to? You’re a lying, cheating arsehole and I never have to do anything you say again.’

  ‘What are you talking about? I’ve never cheated on you, I swear. Please Jade, listen to me. Let me go and I’ll explain everything.’

  ‘Are you kidding me? You’re still going to deny it? I saw your phone you idiot – and all your messages to Louisa. I changed her number to mine and you’ve been texting me all day. You’re here to have sex with her so don’t even bother trying to lie!’

  His voice was shaky. ‘Jade, I know this looks bad. W … worse than bad, it looks bloody terrible. Please,’ he sounded almost close to tears, ‘I love you.’

  ‘You don’t love me, Tom. You wouldn’t do this to someone you love. I would never, ever do this to you. I’ve done nothing but love you. I’ve had other men come on to me, you know, but I’d never go behind your back. I’ve never wanted to. You’re enough for me but I’m obviously not enough for you. Who is she? How long have you been seeing her for?’

  His voice still sounded utterly panicked. ‘She’s just some girl that practically stalks me. I don’t like her and I’ve never met up with her before. I was just drunk once and stupidly gave her my number. She means nothing to me, I promise. This would have been the first time I met her and I wouldn’t have gone through with it. I was just messing around! You’re the one I love. I’ve never cheated on you. You have to believe what I’m saying.’

  His pathetic lies almost made her laugh. ‘Stop lying to me. I’m not stupid!’

  ‘You can’t leave me here like this. I know you’re not that out of order.’

  ‘You’ve been sleeping with another girl, Tom! Do you want to bet that I won’t leave you here?’

  ‘I can’t believe this is happening.’ Tom’s voice was small as the reality hit him that she wasn’t going to let him free.

  ‘Well, believe it,’ she said, walking away with his clothes.

  ‘Jade! Please! You can’t do this to me! Just let me go and we’ll talk about it! You can’t leave me like this!’

  It was hard not to enjoy how distraught he sounded. He deserved everything he got. What they had had was special, but now he’d gone and spoilt everything. She would never and could never forgive him. Now she knew everything had been a lie, and no longer thought of him as the same amazing boyfriend who she could trust with her heart. She was so angry she could scream.

  ‘Goodbye Tom,’ she said, drawing the curtains on the stage.

  She could hear him violently trying to pull the handcuffs off the bed and break them. The metal rattled but didn’t give way.

  ‘Jade! Let me go! Let me explain! Please, it’s really cold! You can’t do this!’

  She opened the doors to the theatre and walked out, leaving them wide open. She threw his clothes in a dustbin in the carpark, satisfied he wouldn’t find them there. It was over. Now he too would feel as humiliated as she had. The feeling of guilt was gnawing away at her, so she forced herself to think of why she’d done it, and started to smirk as she imagined how people were going to find him in his sorry naked state. Tom certainly wouldn’t be pulling off the role of Sleeping Beauty anytime soon.

  All her plans were over, finished. There was no way she
would stay in Bath now. There were too many memories and besides, who would she even live with? Her closest friends had all moved out of their shared house and gone back home a month ago, straight after their last exam, which is why she had moved in two sociology students who had just left halls and were going into their second year. She hardly even knew them and hadn’t bothered making much conversation because she thought she’d be moving in with Tom soon. Jade’s lease was up soon so the best option was to move back home.. But Jade felt as though Bath was her home now – that was the problem. Bath, with its beautiful countryside and stunning architecture. Jade never would have even thought about things like that when she lived in Essex. She’d changed; could she really go back? Being in Essex was like her part-time life now, and this was where she lived.

  Jade got into the driver’s seat of her car and cried. Her anger had melted away and now she just felt a raw emotional pain. She had loved Tom. But now he’d ruined it all.

  Enjoy the adventures of three glamorous Essex Girls! Perfect for fans of TOWIE and the novels of Katie Price.

  Enjoy this extract? Buy the rest of the book here:

  ESSEX GIRLS: 9780007486472

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