Winner Takes All

by Katie Price

  Jas momentarily thought back to their wedding four years ago. It had been sensational. A countryside church service was followed by a lavish reception in a marquee. It was largely organised by Celia, who had declared that it was to be the society event of the year when, in actual fact, she just wanted to show off to her snobby friends. Jas would have been happy with a knees-up in a pub, but ‘doing things properly’ clearly meant so much to Celia and the last thing Jas wanted was to get on the wrong side of the mother-in-law-to-be. Things became slightly awkward when Jas’s own parents were handed a bill amounting to a small fortune for ‘their half ’ of the over-the-top celebration they’d had practically no say in. Jas’s family wasn’t poor but they had nothing like the sort of money the Butlers had. Her parents were such kind, easy-going people – and could see how in love their daughter was – so, much to Jas’s embarrassment, they agreed to pay up.

  Richard was still ranting down the phone but Jas had had enough. ‘Goodbye, Richard,’ she said firmly, hanging up. She threw a few essentials into her evening bag, taking deep breaths to calm herself down. Richard really brought out the worst in her. She used to be so chilled and care-free. So much for her good mood.

  Richard clenched his fists as the phone went dead. He really had expected Jas to have dropped this stupid divorce thing by now yet his final, last-ditch attempt to salvage their marriage had ended with her hanging up on him. He poured a generous amount of expensive tequila into a glass, threw in some ice and knocked back the whole thing, immediately pouring himself another. Letting the buzz wash over him, he slouched back into the expensive leather sofa.

  How dare she? He’d offered to pay her entire mortgage! Just who did she think she was? The more Richard thought about Jasmine Whiteley, the angrier he felt. He finished his drink and poured yet another. Richard was stressed. He’d already lost a huge deal at work today, costing the company half a million quid. It was peanuts to them, really, but still. This was the first time Richard had ever messed up at work. Thoughts of Jas were preoccupying him and taking away his focus.

  Richard sat back, tapping his fingers on the sofa, his mind whirring but coming up with no concrete plan to fix this situation.

  He reached over to the table for his silver iMac and flipped it on, logging onto his Facebook account and lazily scrolled through. Amazingly, Lila popped up on his homepage. That was weird, he didn’t realise she was still ‘friends’ with him. Jas and Meg had deleted him from their friend-list months ago. Whether from ignorance, scattiness or forgetfulness, it seemed Lila hadn’t. Richard scrolled through her profile. It was full of pictures of her wearing very skimpy outfits and posing seductively with her equally fit mates.

  ‘Frriiiiiiday, we’re herrre!’ was the caption under one picture of Lila in a miniscule dress that showed off her skinny frame. She was wearing dark purple lipstick. She was so beautiful, so youthful and sexy, she looked like she’d been Photoshopped. If Jas knew he was sitting there, perving over her younger sister, she’d be fuming. Was this going a step too far? It probably was. Richard started to close down his computer in order to direct his energy elsewhere when the flash of a green icon next to Lila’s name appeared, notifying him that she was online now, too. Richard deliberated for a minute. To hell with it, he finally thought. He opened up a new chat in the Messenger section and started typing.

  ‘I have a very important question,’ he wrote to Lila.

  There was no response. Minutes passed. Oh, well, he’d have to find his fun somewhere else that evening. He was just about to log off when …

  ‘What’s your important question?’ came her reply.

  Richard’s sly smile returned. ‘Just wondering when you got so beautiful. I remember when you were just a kid.’

  ‘Not really sure you should be saying that to me … Thanx tho :-)’

  ‘Sorry. Just been thinking about you since that night at Print Room. Is that bad of me to say?’

  ‘Yes … Was nice to see u though. Been a while.’

  ‘Oh, yeah, you have fun?’

  ‘:-) Ditched your loser mate, so boring, went to a party with my mates.’

  ‘Wish I’d joined you. Maybe next time ;-)’

  ‘Maybe. Can’t tell Jas tho.’

  Richard knew he was pushing the flirtation. No rush, he thought.

  ‘Your secret is safe. Gotta run now but maybe dinner soon? Catch up properly?’

  ‘Maybe,’ Lila replied with a winking-face emoji.

  ‘x’

  And, with that, Richard logged off. Just what would Jasmine think about that?

  Chapter 17

  Jas winced as she knocked back a strong sickly shot of … well, she wasn’t sure what it was. She made a face to Monica. ‘That was foul!’ Jas was back to herself again and determined not to let Richard spoil her night out. They’d sunk a bottle of prosecco in a funky bar with a neon dance floor and were now doing shots at the Hard Rock Café.

  ‘Hey, you’re the one who had the bright idea of coming here and getting us free shots,’ Monica laughed. ‘And we haven’t paid for one drink since we’ve been here thanks to your mate. Does he own the place or something?’

  ‘Connor? Nah, he runs a hotel in Miami and a club in London. You know 360, don’t you?’

  ‘Oh, yeah! I love it there!’

  ‘I met him years ago when he ran Print Room but he’s given that one up now. He’s major. So successful. He’s just helping run this place over the summer while the owners expand.’

  ‘Well, he is fit as. And he’s coming over!’

  ‘Ha! Keep your hands to yourself, missy. He’s engaged and his fiancée is as nice as they come. Connor!’ Jas lurched into a slightly drunken but totally platonic bear hug. She’d known him for years through the nightlife scene in London. She’d also filmed a few episodes of previous reality shows she’d worked on at his club 360 at the trendy Degree Hotel in Notting Hill.

  ‘All right, ladies?’ He winked at them, motioning for the bartender to whip up another round of cocktails as Jas introduced him to her friend. Monica, undoubtedly tipsy by now, threw her arms around Connor. Ever the gentleman, he smiled politely.

  ‘Sorry about her.’ Jas rolled her eyes. ‘How’s Indigo anyway? Is she here tonight?’

  ‘Flying out this weekend. She’s trying on wedding dresses back home with the bridesmaids and, trust me, I didn’t want to be there as much as she didn’t want me there!’

  ‘Quite right! Send her my love, won’t you? We should try to all hang out while I’m over here. Seven more weeks!’

  ‘Definitely. What about you, anyone special on the scene?’

  Jas thought instantly of Luke. She’d done a pretty good job so far of putting him out of her mind, busying herself with the show and phoning Meg – Lila never picked up these days – or else talking to Monica any time she found her thoughts turning back to him. It might have been the several cocktails and mysterious shots blurring her perspective, but she suddenly felt sad. ‘No. No one,’ she replied.

  ‘You’re not still with that wanker from the City then?’

  Jas bristled at the thought of Richard. Connor had met him once years ago and Richard had been embarrassingly obnoxious and rude, yet more than happy to sink all the free champagne Connor provided at their table in Print Room.

  ‘Sorry, that was rude. Indi is always telling me I need to watch what I say and keep my thoughts to myself. Anyway, none of my business. How’s filming going?’ Jas filled Connor in on the different characters and filming locations for dates.

  ‘Well, if you ever want to do anything in here, you’re more than welcome,’ he offered. ‘It’s not the most romantic of dates, it gets pretty rowdy most nights to be honest, but we can sort out a time when the couple can be alone and have drinks outside. The bar backs on to the beach. It looks gorgeous at the right time of day.’

  ‘Really? Thanks, Connor, that would be fantastic!’

  ‘No problem. Listen, I’ve got to get back to work but you girls stay as
long as you want.’

  ‘No can do, sadly,’ Monica put in. ‘Jas is up for yoga at sunrise in a few hours.’

  Connor raised his eyebrows. ‘Good luck with that!’

  Jas whined in protest. ‘God, I forgot about it. I don’t have to take part, thankfully. Just oversee one of the dates. Better get going after this.’

  ‘I’ll call you a cab when you’re ready,’ offered Connor, ever-helpful and courteous. He waited until Monica was in the toilet before delivering a blow to Jas.

  ‘Hey, Jas, one thing I thought you should know. Your sister texted me earlier.’

  ‘Meg? What on earth did she want?’

  ‘No, Lila.’

  ‘Lila?! How did she get your number?’

  ‘Your birthday at 360 last year? We all swapped numbers and I’ve sorted her out with guest lists a few times since, it’s no biggie at all. She’s a sweet girl. I actually also ran into her at Print Room a few weeks ago. I still pop in there from time to time. Anyway, this is a bit awkward but I thought you’d want to know. She was asking if I knew any drug dealers in London.’

  Jas was shocked. She knew that Lila liked a drink, but drugs? Surely she knew better than that? Jas had had a few nasty experiences on drugs when she’d first moved to London. Once, in a bar with Richard and his work colleagues, she was certain her drink had been spiked. She’d blacked out and couldn’t remember anything the next day, but Richard had said she was being silly and was probably far more wasted than she’d realised. She’d also tried cocaine with him a couple of times when he first started taking it, but both times it had made her paranoid, sick, and shaky for days afterwards. She’d never touched the stuff since. The more she saw Richard’s habit escalating, the more she saw it changing him. Lila knew all this. How could she still be so stupid as to want to meddle in drugs?

  ‘I told her I didn’t,’ Connor continued. ‘That’s not my bag at all. But if she’s looking in London it won’t be long before she finds what she’s after. I just thought you’d want to know.’

  ‘I do. Thanks, Connor, I really appreciate it.’ Jas felt very protective towards her little sister. She hoped Lila wasn’t getting herself into any fresh trouble.

  Jas woke with a heavy head at 7 a.m. the next morning. She had twenty minutes to get ready and drive to the scenic hilltop where Dylan and Charlotte were having their romantic first alone-date.

  Fortunately, it didn’t take long for Jas to get ready. Ten minutes in the shower and a coating of suncream and she was done. She would have her big DKNY sunglasses on all day and never wore make-up in the sun, saving all her glam looks for the evening. She threw on a black romper from H&M, stripy nautical Kurt Geiger wedges, and let her hair dry naturally. A spray of deodorant and spritz of her Chanel Gabriella perfume and she was good to go.

  She and one of the cameramen, Ken, filmed Dylan and Charlotte meeting for their date in the villa’s white marble-tiled reception area. They were both grinning nervously.

  Dylan drove Charlotte up through the hills in a 4x4 with a camera fitted inside, while Ken and Jas followed behind. The setting for the yoga class was stunning. In a secluded clearing shaded by trees, two purple mats were laid out with a view of the Balearic Sea below. The light was dusky pink when they arrived but got brighter as the private yoga class went on, making for some beautiful shots. The teacher was a skinny man wearing beads around his neck and with arms covered in tattoos. Charlotte flowed through his moves expertly while Dylan, with his height and bulky athlete’s physique, was not quite so graceful. But it all added to the humour of the scene. Jas had to admit, they looked cute together.

  After the class, Jas had arranged for an extravagant picnic breakfast for the couple – coffee, fresh mango and orange smoothies, and omelettes delivered by waiters. It was gorgeous. While Charlotte tucked into her food, Jas and Ken grabbed Dylan for a private interview.

  ‘How do you think it’s going with Charlotte?’ Jas asked.

  ‘Charlotte is adorable,’ he said to the camera, flashing a megawatt smile that showed off perfectly straight and whitened teeth. ‘She really impressed me with her yoga moves and has got an amazing body.’

  ‘Mmm-hmm, that’s great. What else do you like about her?’

  ‘I feel there’s nothing fake about Charlotte. But I also worry that she’s holding back, and not really showing me her full character. There’s something a bit nervous about her so I hope she will learn to just relax around me.’

  ‘Excellent. Thanks, Dylan.’

  After breakfast, he waited in the car while Charlotte completed her interview. If the contestants found it weird at first, being followed by cameras throughout their date then stopping to be interviewed about it, they did a good job of not showing it. Jas knew that they’d get used to the process before long.

  ‘He’s the sweetest guy,’ Charlotte gushed. ‘I’m having a fantastic time.’

  ‘He’s got an alone-date with Gabriella tonight. They’re having dinner by the beach. How does that make you feel?’

  Jas could see the disappointment in Charlotte’s eyes and felt like a bitch for stirring things up, even though it was her job.

  ‘Oh, I didn’t know that.’ Charlotte went quiet for a moment then gave a perky smile straight to camera, clearly not wanting to appear glum. ‘I know Dylan is naturally charming and I’m sure all the girls in the house fancy him. I’ll try not to read too much into one date. Even though I feel there’s a connection there between us, I don’t want to get my hopes up too much. We’ll see.’

  Gabriella’s date with Dylan was much more flirtatious and touchy-feely. The setting was a white-clothed table on the beach, a roaring fire next to it in the sand. Jas laid on the wine, hoping for some chemistry for the cameras. Gabriella played it cool but seemed to have Dylan eating out of her hand. She regaled him with stories about her days backpacking around Thailand, Vietnam and Australia. As he was born and raised in Brisbane, the conversation flowed easily.

  ‘Gabriella is definitely more confident than a lot of the girls in the house,’ Dylan told the camera when Jas stole him for a quick interview. ‘I guess because she’s an actress she is very comfortable in her own skin, very easy to talk to. But I also want to be careful not to judge on first impressions too much. There are so many more women to get to know.’

  Cameras followed Gabriella and Dylan as they walked back past the fountain, hands brushing. Jas noticed that the twelve other women were watching from a window upstairs, eyes glued to the scene, and had a full view of Dylan taking Gabriella’s face in his hands and kissing her gently on the lips.

  Jas nudged Ken’s arm and pointed to them. She was very pleased: the first kiss so early on with one of the most controversial characters on the show was TV gold.

  Chapter 18

  Three weeks, two rose ceremonies – where the quieter members of the group, Delia and Hayley had both been eliminated – five group-dates and several more alone-dates between Dylan and the contestants later, more drama started to unfold.

  There was a strict no social media and no outside news policy in the villa. The contestants were allowed calls back home to their families but everything else was very tightly controlled. The girls were free to roam around the island in their spare time, but the whole idea was that they were somewhat isolated. Jas wanted there to be a sense of glamour about the villa, of course, but also hoped the housemates would get on each other’s nerves, thus creating exciting and dramatic TV, while their feelings for Dylan would intensify at the same time. If he was the only man they were in contact with for two months, apart from the men in the camera crew, Jas hoped that the women would develop feelings for him – or believe that they had.

  All the tactics she’d used to make the girls more competitive were working. The fourth rose ceremony was tomorrow and at least one contestant would be eliminated. Tension was mounting in the house.

  That morning the eleven remaining girls began their day. Some were already sunbathing by the pool, others drinking co
ffee in the living room. Charlotte was fresh back from a run around the hills and Georgia was slicing fruit and spooning yoghurt into bowls for breakfast. Kat was still in bed.

  Carmel bounded into the living room, holding a black envelope and calling out to everyone to gather around. Charlotte, fresh in from her run and making a protein-packed smoothie in the kitchen, joined the group on the sofas, hoping she didn’t look too red-faced and sweaty for the cameras.

  ‘Look what just arrived,’ Carmel sang, waving the envelope. She waited until everyone was there before opening the envelope and revealing a piece of gold card. She read aloud. ‘It’s from Dylan! He says: “To celebrate this year’s World Cup I’m getting in the football spirit! The next group date is going be a five-a-side match. I’ll be the referee, you’ll be my players.”’

  The girls whispered to each other impatiently, wanting to know who the unlucky girl was who would be staying at the villa alone.

  ‘Hurry up,’ scolded Gabriella. ‘Who’s not going? And they better let us wear make-up! There’s no way I’m running around a football pitch looking all sweaty without even a hint of mascara.’ Charlotte then felt even more self-conscious, sitting in her drenched, unflattering running gear with not a scrap of make-up on.

  ‘It’s football, for God’s sake,’ spat Carmel, an uncharacteristically sassy comment from her. Clearly, the tension was affecting most people in the house.

  ‘She’s worried she’ll burn alive in the sun … like all witches.’ This, from Alex, incited sniggers.

  ‘Yeah, well, some of us actually care what we look like,’ shot back Gabriella.

  Georgia, sitting next to her, laughed out loud at that comment. With her golden skin, big blue eyes and long, tousled white-blonde hair, Georgia was classic bombshell-sexy, but wore heavy make-up constantly. In fact, Charlotte had never seen her without thick black eyeliner, blue eyeshadow and bubble-gum glossy lips. She’d lasted two weeks in the finals of the TV singing competition last year before a torrent of tabloid stories surfaced about her sending nude selfies to a married sportsman. She’d lost the public’s approval overnight. Alex threw her a dirty look and Georgia simply stared her out.