Winner Takes All

by Katie Price

  ‘I think it will be a fun group,’ Dylan continued. ‘I feel really sorry for Alex and Kat, though, having been so ill. I’m going to take Kat on a walk tomorrow, if that’s okay?’

  ‘Of course,’ replied Jas.

  ‘I don’t think the sun and a boat swaying on the sea would be too great for her.’

  ‘That’s very courteous of you, Dylan. And there’s still time for you to get to know everyone. We’re postponing tonight’s rose ceremony.’

  ‘Oh, that’s good. I owe Alex a date, and after all she’s been through, it will be nice to cheer her up.’

  ‘I noticed a bit of chemistry just now between you and Gabby. Do you think she might be The One?’

  Dylan considered his answer for a few seconds. ‘Like I say, I don’t want to rule anyone out just yet.’

  Chapter 22

  Monica gathered everyone downstairs to film Dylan’s boat-trip choices but Alex sat in silence with huge sunglasses on and the minute the group-date had left she hid herself back in her room. Her face was back to normal, though even through the shades it was obvious that her eyes were red and puffy from crying so much. She was in a foul mood and skulked off to take a shower.

  ‘How’s she doing?’ Jas asked Charlotte and Melody, who had been asked to coax Alex out of her room.

  ‘We’ve been trying to cheer her up,’ said Charlotte. ‘We suggested going down to Playa d’en Bossa and chilling on the beach. Or else going shopping in town.’

  Jas loved Charlotte and Melody. If any of the other girls had just found out they were missing out on a date with Dylan they’d be fuming, but these two saw it as an opportunity to hit the beach for a gossip and tanning session.

  Jas knocked softly on Alex’s bedroom door. ‘Alex? Luke is downstairs, he’s our lawyer. He’d love to chat to you.’

  ‘Yeah, I’d love to chat to him too,’ Alex angrily replied. She flung open the bathroom door and set about getting ready like a grumpy teenager, slamming drawers shut and tutting at everything. Charlotte and Melody didn’t know where to look.

  ‘I was surprised to see Georgia down there,’ Alex continued. ‘Why isn’t she on her way home already after what she did?’

  Jas sat down on the bed. ‘Look, I know you’re upset, but Georgia promises she would never do anything so extreme as what you are accusing her of. Monica feels terrible. She was the one who hired caterers for the snacks yesterday after the game and she told them about your nut allergy, but sometimes things just slip through. I know it’s terrible and we’re looking into it.’

  ‘I could have died!’ exclaimed Alex. She had every right to be furious.

  ‘You’re right. It was unacceptable. I’m so sorry, Alex.’

  ‘You will be when I sue. I meant what I said last night.

  I’m not changing my mind. I’ve suffered serious emotional distress and my leg is badly bruised from Georgia’s vicious attack.’

  Jas didn’t know if now was the right time to remind Alex that Georgia was covered in marks and scratches from the fight, too.

  Alex stormed out of the bedroom, slamming the door in Jas’s face. She was now very worried. Was her job on the line? How many court cases was she going to have to deal with?

  ‘Are you the lawyer?’ Alex barked at Luke when she found him downstairs in the kitchen.

  ‘That’s right. Hi, I’m Luke Hawkins. You must be Alex Adams? My little sister is a big fan of your radio show, by the way. She was so excited I was coming to meet you. I hope you’re feeling better now. I’d love to have a chat and get your version of events, Alex. We’re all on your side, remember.’ Jas felt reassured that Luke was here.

  ‘You better listen to what I have to say,’ Alex stormed. Luke shot a look over at Jas who mouthed back ‘sorry’ as he followed Alex outside to a secluded table on the far side of the terrace.

  Over an hour later, they were still talking. Jas had been catching up on emails and, in a fast-paced WhatsApp chat with Meg, bringing her sister up to speed. Now, she couldn’t help but stare at Luke and Alex, deep in conversation. She was so fixated she didn’t notice Monica sidle up to her, making her jump.

  ‘Mon! You scared me.’

  ‘Sorry. You’re watching them pretty intently. What do you reckon he’s saying?’

  ‘I have no idea.’

  Monica looked at her friend inquisitively. ‘What’s going on with you two, anyway?’

  Jas made a point of looking away and making coffee to distract herself. She’d slept so badly last night she needed all the caffeine she could get today. ‘Nothing. I’m worried about Alex, that’s all. She is threatening to sue us, you know.’

  ‘Uh-huh. And that’s it? Don’t think I can’t see that there is chemistry between you and Luke. What’s happened since you broke it off with him in London anyway?’

  Jas had tried to downplay her feelings for him and hadn’t let on to Monica how much she’d been thinking about him. But now she knew there was no point in continuing to pretend.

  ‘I don’t know what to think, Mon. I know he’s only been here a few hours but there’s something so familiar-feeling and reassuring about having him around. Every now and then I find him catching my eye and I think, there’s this chemistry between us but maybe I’m reading too much into it. I’m pretty sure he’s seeing someone else anyway. And I was the one who didn’t want any complications. I don’t know why he affects me like this.’

  ‘Why don’t you just talk to him about it, hun? Tell him how you feel?’

  Jas shook her head. ‘Where would I begin? “Oh, hey, Luke, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you even though I was a complete cow for dumping you. And, by the way, the reason I did is because I’m actually still married. Break up with your girlfriend for me?”’

  Monica tutted. ‘You’re being overdramatic. And I’ve been speaking to the team back home. No one thinks he has a girlfriend. He never talks about one anyway. Maybe it was just a one-off you saw?’

  ‘Maybe I’m just horny and have sunstroke! I’m being ridiculous. Everything with Richard and things here, it’s all getting to me, I’m not thinking straight. Luke is not all that.’

  Monica was about to reply when Luke and Alex sauntered back in, laughing together. Jas did a double take. Alex’s expression had transformed from a mean scowl to a butter-wouldn’t-melt smile, her green eyes sparkling. Even her body language had softened. She laughed again at something Luke said and went up to give Monica, and then Jas, hugs. They were both speechless.

  ‘I’m going to the beach with Charlotte and Melody. Thanks so much for everything, Jas, you’re the best.’ And, with that, she practically skipped out of the room.

  Jas and Monica turned to Luke with expressions that said, ‘Well?’

  ‘What an interesting girl. Did you know she got a First from City College and wrote her dissertation on the class divide in inner-suburban London? She’s incredibly bright. She’s not going to sue, by the way. She doesn’t mind if Georgia stays. I’m going to head back to my hotel to do some work. See you later.’ And, with a nod, he left.

  Monica turned to Jas and folded her arms. ‘Looks like he’s saved the day. What was that you were saying about Luke not being all that?’

  Chapter 23

  Richard’s two-week suspension had passed. He’d cut out the drugs and hookers and, instead, joined his parents for a skiing trip in the Swiss Alps, a favourite excursion of the Butlers. On his first day back in the office he was greeted by cheers, claps, pats on the back and assurances that it was ‘good to have you back, Butler’, and ‘things haven’t been the same around here’. By lunchtime he’d closed a major deal and celebrated with a four-hour champagne dinner, a strip club visit and a party back at his flat. The clean break was nice while it lasted, but impossible to maintain back in the City.

  Meanwhile his plan to befriend Lila and get to Jas through her was right on track. After some weeks of chats over Facebook Messenger, they’d now progressed to frequent messages over WhatsApp. Ri
chard would ask how her day was going and had even persuaded her to send him a picture of her outfit before going out last Friday, to which he replied with a wink and a flame emoji.

  Lila loved the attention. She also clearly revelled in having a secret from Jas. Richard knew it. But, as far as Lila was concerned, he was nothing more than a mate. And much to his surprise, on the two occasions he’d suggested Lila join him for a drink, she’d said no.

  One Friday night his team were celebrating the fortieth birthday of one of the more senior and most celebrated traders in the company. The plan was to be done in the office by 8 p.m. and then head straight to Mayfair for an expensive three-course dinner (though no one would touch the food) before they headed to The Box where they had a table reserved. The Box was one of the most notorious, decadent and glamorous clubs in Soho – nude trapeze artists included. In the taxi from the office, Richard drew out his phone to text Lila.

  ‘What you up to 2night?’

  ‘Nothing. Friend just bailed.’ A pause for a few moments then: ‘What u doin?’

  ‘Mews of Mayfair 4 dinner then The Box. Full guest list, celebrities. We have a table. Come join?’

  No point in messing about, Richard thought. He might as well be direct. It wasn’t until the second uneaten course had been swiped from the table at Mews of Mayfair that Lila finally replied.

  ‘The Box? Really? You can get me in?’

  Richard smiled.

  ‘Haven’t you learnt yet that there is nothing I can’t do?’

  ‘What time?’

  ‘10.30. Text me your address, I’ll send a car.’

  ‘That’s easy. I’m at your old address. Send the car to Jas’s flat.’

  Richard booked the car. What was another Addison Lee on the company account? No way Lila was used to this level of treatment. A simple bit of Facebook stalking on her profile had shown Richard the sort of cretins she had dated before. A pathetic bartender with a nose piercing and baggy clothes. An out-of-work ‘ethical artist’ who no doubt used his dole money for weed. Really? This was her type? It was almost an insult for a girl that hot to be seen with losers like them.

  His party rocked up to The Box at 11 p.m. Fortunately Lila was running late and her car pulled up just as Richard arrived. Her hair was glossy and her full lips painted a deep purple. She wore strappy black heels and a silky cream jumpsuit with the front open, covering her breasts but showing plenty of skin. She looked so much like Jas it was spooky. And very hot.

  Richard dashed over to close the car door behind her and kiss her on both cheeks. He could feel eyes fixed on them from all sides. Who was the lucky guy with this stunning girl?

  ‘Wow, Lila, you look incredible.’

  ‘Thanks. You sure it’s okay for me to turn up?’

  ‘I’m delighted you did. Here, let’s get inside and I’ll introduce you to everyone I work with.’

  ‘We’ll be a while. Have you seen how long the queue is? It must be a good night!’

  Richard laughed. ‘Don’t worry about it.’ With his hand on the small of her back, he guided her straight to the front of the queue and slipped two £50 notes to the bouncer, who dutifully opened the red velvet rope as the people behind groaned in protest.

  The club was packed. In the centre stood a stage with women wearing feather boas draped over swings suspended from the red ceiling. Weaving through the throng of people, Richard led Lila to a booth where several bottles of champagne had already been opened. He handed her a full glass and they sat in the corner so they could just about talk over the pounding music.

  ‘Thank God Greg isn’t here!’ she said.

  ‘Oh, yeah, I forgot you two were on a date when I ran into you at Print Room that time. I told you he was forgettable. You never went out with him again?’

  ‘Nah. He texted me, like, every day for two weeks. Desperado just isn’t my type.’

  Richard smiled. ‘Thanks for coming out tonight, Lila. These lot are great but I work with them every day. It’s nice to have you here for a change.’

  ‘Thanks for inviting me. And for the car!’

  ‘My pleasure. If there’s anything you ever need, you know you can ask me, don’t you?’

  She paused before replying. ‘Really? Well, there was something I was going to ask you.’

  ‘Of course!’

  ‘You don’t have any gear on you, do you?’

  Richard laughed. Was this all it was going to take?

  ‘Sweetheart, that’s never a problem. Why, you want some?’

  ‘Maybe later. After a few drinks. It is Friday night!’

  ‘I’ll drink to that! God, it’s so fun being out with you. I wasn’t going to bring her up but Jasmine was so boring about drugs. Like they’re the worst thing in the world or something.’ He shook his head for effect. ‘So, um, have you spoken to her recently?’ he asked.

  ‘Not for a while. I think she’s really busy out in Ibiza. They’re over halfway through filming the series, then she’s back.’

  ‘You don’t think she’d mind us hanging out?’ asked Richard, feigning innocence even though he was fully aware Jas would absolutely hate it.

  ‘Yeah, she probably would, to be honest. But I’ve known you for years too. Just because you’re divorcing my sister doesn’t mean we can’t be mates, right?’

  Richard topped up her glass. ‘Right, Lila. God, you’re so mature for your age. I can’t believe a guy hasn’t snapped you up yet.’ He looked her up and down, appreciatively. ‘Although looking like that, I’d better not let you out of my sight in here otherwise you will get snapped up and then I’ll be left alone with these idiots again!’

  Lila giggled. ‘This is actually Jas’s outfit. That’s not weird for you, is it, me being here in your wife’s clothes?’

  ‘Ex-wife,’ Richard pointed out. ‘In all respects but the legal one. And, no, ’course not. You look a million times hotter than her anyway … but don’t tell her I told you that!’

  Another giggle from Lila. ‘She wouldn’t believe you. She’s been told she’s the prettiest out of us three since the day I was born! Apparently the middle sibling is always the best-looking. I read that somewhere.’

  Richard leant in so his body was right up against Lila’s. ‘Not from where I’m sitting,’ he said. ‘You don’t really believe that, do you?’

  Lila shrugged. ‘Yeah, I guess so. Don’t get me wrong, I know I’m not a hag but I don’t stop traffic the way Jas does.’

  That wasn’t even an exaggeration. Richard remembered meeting her for a date early on in their relationship on a street in Manchester. A cyclist almost toppled over while turning to look back at her. She had that effect on men, it was one of the reasons why Richard had married her. He had the woman every other guy wanted. Not that he was going to say that to Lila.

  ‘Nah. Obviously I was madly in love with your sister, but I always thought you had the best looks in the family.’

  ‘Well, anyway, her wardrobe is a million times better than mine and I’ve got her key so I figure her wardrobe is available for my use while she’s away.’

  Richard sat up straighter. ‘You’ve got her key while she’s away?’

  ‘I’m house-sitting. She wanted a dogsbody there to water the plants and make sure nothing got nicked.’

  ‘Ahhh, that’s why I sent the car to my old address.’

  ‘That’s right. Got the place all to myself.’

  Richard nodded slowly, an idea forming in his mind that was so deliciously perfect it was almost too good to be true. What if he were to get himself back to the flat tonight, with Lila? The thought of how furious Jas would be if she knew he was back in what was now 100 per cent her flat. Oh, it was too good to pass up. He raised his glass. ‘Here’s to friends.’

  Lila clinked her glass against his. ‘Friends.’

  Two hours and many drinks later, Richard, Lila and their group were dancing on the tables in the packed and sweaty club.

  Richard stood deep in conversation with a couple
of his work colleagues before joining Lila and checking she was okay.

  ‘What’s going on?’ she asked, wide-eyed and wired.

  ‘Oh, nothing. George was just saying it’s getting a bit rowdy in here now and he was talking about an after-party.’

  ‘Great idea, my feet are killing me in these heels! Where are we going?’

  ‘Well, that’s the thing. George has a townhouse in Regent’s Park but he’s worried about waking his wife and the twins up if we go there. I’d have everyone back to mine but it’s a construction site at the moment while the bathroom is being retiled. Everyone else lives miles away. I said I’d pay for a hotel suite in Mayfair so we could carry the party on. It’s only a few hundred.’

  ‘How many people are you talking?’

  ‘Four or five.’

  ‘You can’t pay a few hundred quid for a tiny after-party, Richard. Just come back to Jas’s. She’ll never know.’

  Richard’s plan was working perfectly but he supressed his smile and shook his head sternly. ‘No way. Jasmine would hate that and I don’t want to put you in that position.’

  ‘What position? Hackney is so close. And you’ve all paid for my entire night, it’s the least I could do.’

  ‘I don’t know, Lila. Maybe we should just call it a night …’

  But she clearly had no intention of ending the night this early. ‘It’s not even two! Come on, let’s go. It’ll be totally fine.’

  ‘If you’re sure?’

  She placed both hands on his shoulders. ‘You paid for that flat, too, remember. Come on, Granddad, let’s see if I can’t drink you under your own table!’

  Richard’s car arrived within minutes and the raucous group piled in. They stopped at a twenty-four-hour shop on the way to pick up an expensive bottle of brandy. At one point in the cab, squashed in the back together, Richard’s hand fell on Lila’s momentarily. Drunk and giddy, she rested her head on his shoulder, smiling.

  Twenty minutes later the group stumbled into Jas’s flat. Shoes were kicked off on the floor, bottles were opened, Spotify playlists hooked up to speakers and lines of coke distributed onto Jas’s expensive oak coffee table in the living room.