MADE IN ESSEX

by Laura Ziepe

  Thirty minutes later Adele was relaxing as her feet were being soaked in soapy water before her pedicure. This bikini business really was quite tiring, she acknowledged as she picked a bright pink colour for her toes.

  ‘I want lots of crystals on the big toe too,’ Adele asserted to the beautician. ‘And go right to the edges this time. The last girl gave me hardly any.’

  After a pedicure and eyebrow tint, Adele felt much better. It was a warm day even though the sun wasn’t shining and she decided to have a walk around the shops in Loughton before they closed. Shopping always cheered her up, she thought as she purchased a brand new Forever Unique dress for three hundred pounds; now she just needed somewhere good to go to wear it. As she walked out of the shop she spotted Donna on the other side of the road.

  ‘Donna!’ she called, practically jogging to catch up with her.

  Donna glanced over and waved, waiting for Adele to cross over.

  ‘Alright babe?’ Adele said, giving her a kiss. She looked Donna up and down; she looked great, Adele thought in surprise. She was slimmer, that was for sure and Donna looked like she was glowing with happiness. Had she done something new with her hair? ‘Hair looks gorge,’ she admired. ‘Are you wearing extensions?’

  Donna instantly put her hands on her hair as she spoke, stroking her longer locks. ‘Thanks. Yeah, I had some extensions put in and I dyed it a bit lighter.’

  Adele’s eyes suddenly focused on the huge rock on Donna’s wedding finger. So Aaron had done it then, she thought dismally. She forced a smile and wagged her fingers. ‘Something to tell me?’

  Donna blushed a little, as she beamed broadly. ‘I’m engaged!’ she blurted out with an excited laugh.

  ‘I can’t believe it!’ Adele replied in mock surprise. ‘Such amazing news,’ she said as her stomach rumbled. It was a good job she’d bumped into Donna, perhaps she’d go for dinner with her? The last thing she wanted to do was cook tonight and there was a lovely Thai a short walk away that she fancied. ‘Let me take you to dinner to celebrate and you can tell me all about it.’

  Donna hesitated. ‘Sorry Adele, that’s really kind of you, but I said I’d go to my parents’ house for dinner tonight.’

  Adele flapped her hand. ‘Then tell them you’ll go another night. Tonight I’m taking you out to celebrate. You can go home any time.’

  Donna looked uncertain. ‘But my mum may have already started on the di—’ Donna paused when she saw Adele’s mouth press into a hard line. ‘Okay, dinner sounds great.’

  *

  ‘So, have you started wedding planning yet?’ Adele asked, as she dipped her Thai crackers into some sweet chilli sauce.

  ‘Not yet. He only asked me at the weekend,’ Donna explained.

  Adele stopped munching and stared at her with a serious expression. ‘I want you to know I’m here to help as much as possible. You know fashion is one hundred per cent my thing, so I’ll help you choose your dress. Obviously you can take your mum as well and all that, but seriously, I know a good dress when I see one.’

  Donna nodded, looking a bit shocked. ‘Thanks Adele, that’s really sweet of you.’

  Adele shrugged. ‘That’s what maids of honour are for, silly.’

  Donna frowned, looking awkward. ‘What?’

  Adele sighed. ‘Maid of honour. I take it I’ll be yours, won’t I?’ she demanded, as she tucked her napkin into her top. She needed some part in this wedding. The whole event would be swarming with footballers and she wanted to stand out and be noticed; who knew, maybe her turn would be next?

  Donna looked uncomfortable, her eyes looking round the room. ‘Well, I haven’t decided yet and I know my sister may be a bit put out …’

  Adele’s jaw dropped. ‘Donna, don’t be so ridiculous! I was with you when you met Aaron. I’m your best friend, surely? Sod your sister. You told me before that she only ever talks to you when she wants you to babysit her brats!’

  Donna turned red and lowered her voice. ‘I didn’t call them brats, Adele, please don’t say that,’ she said, as she looked behind her to check there wasn’t anyone she knew listening to them. ‘I haven’t even decided those kind of details yet. It’s only just happened.’

  ‘Well, decide now,’ Adele said, glaring at her, tapping her long fingernails impatiently on the table.

  Donna held her breath and then finally spoke. ‘Okay, you can do it. You can be my maid of honour. My sister can just be bridesmaid.’

  Adele squealed. ‘Thanks Don! This is going to be amazing. When shall we go shopping? When do you think you’ll get married?’

  Donna smiled as she spoke. ‘Aaron wants to get married right away, so I guess booking a venue will be the first thing. I feel a bit awkward really,’ Donna said, tucking her hair behind her ear. ‘He’s told me I can have whatever I want, you know, go all out. Nothing is too much he said. But, I’d just feel uncomfortable spending all his money. I mean, I have some savings, but not a lot, and my parents aren’t in any position to help. Maybe we’ll just have a quiet wedding?’

  Adele was more envious than she’d ever been in her life. Here was her friend, marrying a footballer who had told her to spend as much as she wanted on the wedding and she was actually feeling awkward about it. Adele smiled tightly and tried to persuade her otherwise. If she was going to be maid of honour then she wanted to wear an expensive designer bridesmaid dress, drink the best champagne and eat exquisite food. What was the point in marrying a footballer otherwise? She took a deep breath and spoke to her as though she was addressing a child. ‘Donna, if he’s told you to spend as much as you like on the wedding then I really think you should. It’s not as though he’s strapped for cash, and you wouldn’t want to hurt his feelings, would you?’

  Donna shook her head with a thoughtful expression.

  Adele’s lips curled upwards. ‘I think he must obviously want a big wedding himself and that’s why he’s left you in charge, thinking that’s what you’ll organise. You wouldn’t want to take that away from him, would you?’

  Donna frowned, deep in thought. ‘No, of course not.’

  Adele gave a short laugh. ‘Well then, organise a huge wedding, silly. It’s our day … I mean your day to enjoy yourself. You only get one day, Donna; make it a good one.’

  Donna digested Adele’s words and then nodded. ‘You’re right. You’re totally right. I’m only ever going to get married once; I may as well go crazy and have the biggest and best wedding ever!’

  ‘Exactly!’ Adele smiled, exhaling a long breath and clapping her hands together excitedly. ‘We’ll go shopping next weekend. Obviously Vera Wang will be our first stop for you, I’ll arrange the appointments, then Browns Brides, which have amazing bridesmaids dresses and obviously you can see more wedding dresses too. A family friend got married not too long ago and her bridesmaids’ dresses were from there; the most gorgeous Monique Lhuillier gowns ever. Then after that we’ll go to Temperley London, Jenny Packham and Valentino.’

  Donna sipped her white wine spritzer and nodded. ‘Okay, sounds good. I’m excited now.’

  ‘Me too,’ Adele announced and she clinked glasses with Donna. ‘To your wedding; the most amazing event you’ll ever experience.’

  *

  Kelly pulled up outside Billy’s house and felt the usual bubbles of excitement in her stomach. She was surprising him with a visit tonight, something she never normally did. He’d been busy with work and really hard to get through to in the last couple of days; she just hoped everything was okay because Billy wasn’t giving much away on the phone. She coated her lips with some MAC lip gloss she found in the glove compartment. Make-up and hair spray were all she had in there and Billy had laughed his head off when he’d opened it one day. What else did a girl need in her car? Kelly wondered, baffled as to why he found it so amusing. Maybe she should add some portable straighteners, she decided. She ran her fingers through her long blonde hair, satisfied with her appearance, and walked to his front door to ring the bell.

>   After ringing three times to no avail, she wondered whether Billy was actually home and was about to call him until she saw the upstairs curtains moving. A few moments later, the door opened and Kelly’s mouth opened wide with shock as she was greeted by Billy. He looked as though he hadn’t slept in days, with the worst bags under his eyes Kelly had ever seen. His usually sleek, shiny hair was dishevelled and greasy and his usually smooth skin was dry, stubble covering his jawline. What on earth had happened?

  ‘What’s going on, babe?’ Kelly asked, her voice full of worry.

  He opened the door and Kelly walked in, wondering what he was about to tell her. She was worried for him. The whole house was in darkness and Kelly caught a glimpse of the state of the kitchen; there was a pile of washing up on the kitchen surface – this was so unlike Billy! Kelly followed him through to the lounge and sat down. He sat next to her and put his face in his hands.

  Kelly gently touched his hands and moved them from his face. ‘Come on, tell me what’s wrong. I’m really worried.’

  Billy took a deep breath and looked up at the ceiling. He shook his head sadly, his voice a whisper. ‘I’ve lost it all, babe. Everything; it’s gone.’

  Kelly stomach flipped over with nerves. ‘Bill, what are you talking about? Work?’

  He nodded, his shoulders hunched, looking defeated. ‘Yep. Alfie has wiped us out. He’s taken the lot.’

  Kelly shifted in her seat and moved closer to him. ‘Oh no, babe. Tell me everything that happened,’ she said sympathetically, now understanding why Billy hadn’t been acting himself recently on the phone. He had kept saying he was busy, but she could now see that was a lie; he’d been sitting in, alone, devastated by what had happened. The thought made her sad; why hadn’t he told her?

  Billy sighed, his eyes now firmly fixed on the floor as he told the story. ‘I told you the other week about that guy Alfie, didn’t I? The one we bought over a hundred grand’s worth of tickets from?’

  Kelly nodded, remembering the story.

  ‘Well we called him, texted him, emailed him, but there was no answer. He was just blanking me and Gary; we even went to his house, but surprise, surprise, no one was there. When we looked through the windows it looked as though no one lived there at all. The whole place was empty. Anyway, obviously we started to worry. Then I spoke to Jonny’s uncle, who runs a similar hospitality business, not in the same line as us, but similar, and I asked him what we could do.’

  Kelly watched Billy as he told the story; he seemed to have aged overnight. She could see he had the worry of the world on his shoulders and she hated it. ‘What did Jonny’s uncle say?’ Jonny was Billy’s best friend and his uncle, who ran a similar business, had actually given Billy lots of advice in the past and been really helpful.

  Billy sighed. ‘He couldn’t believe how naïve we’d been buying tickets from someone who didn’t own a proper company. He said most likely we’d been scammed and he doubted there was anything we could do apart from call the police.’

  Kelly thought that was the best idea too; surely this man couldn’t just get away with it? ‘So did you? What did the police say?’

  Billy sat back on the sofa, his brows knitted. ‘Gary did call them eventually, but he kept trying to hold it off. I think he was hoping by some kind of miracle that Alfie would get back to us and the tickets would be delivered. He didn’t want to admit that we’d been scammed and would have to call all our customers and tell them their money was gone. We’ve reported it and they said they’d look into it, but they don’t seem to be doing much.’

  It seemed a little bit odd to Kelly that Gary hadn’t wanted to call the police; she would have called them straight away. ‘What did your clients say?’ Kelly asked him, taking his hand and holding it so he knew he had her support.

  ‘That they wanted their money back. Most were furious. You have to remember that they had purchased these tickets through us to take their clients out. Not only have we lost their money and cannot afford to pay it all back, but they have to let their clients down, which is both embarrassing and unprofessional.’ He shook his head as he recalled some of the conversations. ‘Some even threatened to take us to court.’

  Kelly exhaled sharply. ‘Oh babe, I’m so sorry this has happened. I know how hard you worked to build this company up. I don’t know what to say. You definitely don’t have insurance?’

  Billy shook his head and kneaded his eyes with his fists. ‘No. I always knew we should have. Gary used to say it was a waste of money and that he’d sort it eventually, which he never did.’ He looked at her, his eyes shining. ‘We’re going to have to liquidate the company. There is no way we have a spare hundred grand to refund everyone. I’ve lost it all. All the money I put in the business to start with has just gone. All that hard work we did, for nothing.’

  Kelly sat there wondering what liquidate actually meant but not wanting to ask him; it wasn’t the right time. She assumed it meant close down and her heart went out to him. ‘He won’t be able to get away with this,’ Kelly said, more confidently than she felt.

  ‘Well, not much seems to be happening,’ Billy explained. ‘The police have seen us a few times and we’ve told them everything and they said they’d be in touch. Either way, the company has to close.’

  ‘I’m so sorry, Bill,’ Kelly said, kissing him and wishing that would make it all better. Then a thought came to her. She cleared her throat, unsure whether to say what she was about to. ‘There’s no way that Gary is in on it, is there?’

  Billy flinched and looked at her in horror. ‘Kelly, Gary has been furious with Alfie like I am! Our family have been friends with the Jacobs for years and there is no way Gary would ever do that. How can you even suggest something like that? For God’s sake, I know you don’t like Gary, but you’re taking it a bit far now.’

  ‘Well I was just saying, you never know,’ Kelly replied huffily, irritated that he was getting so angry with her.

  ‘Well don’t say, okay? I’ve known Gary Jacobs since I was about twelve. I know you come out with some stupid things sometimes, but that one tops the lot,’ Billy snapped.

  Kelly felt her eyes brim with tears. She was only trying to help him, but now his anger had turned towards her. She needed to leave. ‘I’m going to go, Billy, okay?’ Kelly’s voice cracked as she stood up and headed towards the front door. She heard Billy sigh loudly.

  ‘Now I’ve upset you, haven’t I? Kelly I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it to come out like that and I shouldn’t take it out on you. Please don’t leave,’ he pleaded as he jumped to his feet and put his hand on her shoulder.

  Kelly turned to face him. ‘I know you’re gutted and I’m sorry for you, I really am. But you need to get up, washed and dressed and face the world again; be like the Billy we all know and love. That’s all I can say to help you. I’m not going to lie, what you just said hurt me. I know I come out with silly things sometimes, but I’m not stupid. I know some people think it, but for you to say it to me; that’s what hurts the most. Look, I just need to go,’ she said firmly, as she opened the door.

  ‘I didn’t mean it, Kelly, I’m sorry,’ she heard Billy call as she walked along the path.

  Kelly climbed in her car, refusing to even glance up at Billy who was standing by his front door. She had been looking forward to spending the evening with him and she couldn’t believe the turn of events. She started the ignition, wanting to get away as soon as possible. No sooner had she turned out of Billy’s road than the tears started. She understood that Billy was mad right now, but that was no reason to take it out on her, just for asking if it was possible that Gary could be involved. She wiped her eyes and sniffed. He had told her she said stupid things, which she knew she did, but just hearing him say it stung. He usually laughed at the daft things she came out with and she laughed along with him, but she wasn’t stupid and sometimes she just wanted people to take her seriously. Lately it had been bothering her that people didn’t listen to her opinions; first Jade and now Bi
lly. They had just brushed her ideas under the carpet, telling her she was wrong. She pulled up at the traffic lights and looked in the mirror, glad her mascara hadn’t smudged. A black Porsche pulled up alongside her, music blaring. Kelly admired the car; she’d love a convertible one in silver. As the man in the passenger seat sat back, Kelly caught a glimpse of the other man driving the car and to her astonishment noticed it was Gary. She watched as he threw back his head giving a throaty laugh about something. He was beaming from ear to ear. How was it, Kelly wondered, that Gary could look like he didn’t have a care in the world, laughing and joking casually when Billy was in pieces sitting at home in the darkness? Once again Kelly’s suspicions arose. This didn’t look like someone who was about to lose loads of his own money and liquidate his company at all. It looked more like someone who had committed a crime and got away with it. Kelly needed to dig deeper and find out the truth; the question was, how?

  CHAPTER 15

  Lisa was chilling out on the sofa watching some old episodes of Sex and the City, completely relaxed after a long day at work. She’d gone straight home afterwards, but Nicola had met up with Charlie in a bar on the way back. Just as she felt herself dozing off, she heard the key in the front door and Nicola and Charlie entered, laughing.

  ‘Hi. Good night?’ Lisa asked, sitting up and fastening her dressing gown tighter around her.

  ‘Yeah, we only went for a few. I’m completely shattered,’ Nicola said with a yawn.

  Charlie, who worked in London as well, was dressed smartly in a grey suit. He gave her a smile as he sat on the armchair opposite. ‘You should have joined us,’ he said with a penetrating stare that Lisa found creepy. She’d been willing to start afresh with Charlie and forget about the fact he lied about meeting Nicola for lunch that day, but immediately he was putting her on edge.

  ‘Too tired, and I had some washing I wanted to get done,’ she lied.