MADE IN ESSEX

by Laura Ziepe

  Kelly thought for a moment. She doubted Sam would have been home before midnight, even if he was drunk. ‘Say eleven-thirty, just in case,’ she told the man.

  ‘No problem young lady,’ Derek replied. ‘I’ll fast forward very slowly from eleven-thirty, and you just tell me when to stop.’

  Kelly sat in anticipation biting her nails, which had just been applied with hot pink shellac vanish. There wasn’t much going on at first and Kelly couldn’t imagine she was going to see anything important at all. There were the odd couple of people coming back to the flats, but that was it. When the footage got to two a.m. Kelly knew they must be close to seeing Sam and at twenty-four minutes past she jumped up and told Derek to stop the tape. ‘That’s him! That’s Sam. Can we go back please?’

  Derek did as Kelly asked and at first Kelly thought Adele had completely lied about going back to Sam’s altogether, as she could only see Sam on his own. Sam looked very drunk as he staggered through the entrance to the flats. About thirty seconds later, Kelly inhaled dramatically as she saw Adele jog along to catch up with him.

  Derek was shaking his head. ‘Sorry, love. If it makes you feel any better, I must say the man is a complete idiot for cheating on a lovely girl like you.’ He rubbed his beard again thoughtfully.

  Kelly ignored the comment, feeling disappointed. She was so sure that Sam hadn’t cheated, but seeing Adele jog after him like that and how drunk he appeared to be didn’t give her much hope anymore.

  ‘Is that enough?’ Derek asked.

  ‘No,’ Kelly told him firmly. ‘I want to know how long she was there for.’

  Derek shrugged. ‘Shall I fast forward quickly?’ he asked, obviously thinking it was a waste of time if the girl had stayed the night.

  ‘Maybe a bit quicker, but not too fast,’ Kelly told him as she watched the screen, concentrating. She began to feel a bit bored and as though this was a complete waste of time when suddenly someone appeared to be leaving the building thirteen minutes later. ‘Stop again! Please rewind that,’ Kelly asked Derek, feeling a ray of hope. Had that been Adele? As Derek rewound the footage, Kelly gasped as she watched Adele leaving Sam’s flats. She felt like squealing with joy. Adele had lied! She hadn’t stayed at Sam’s all night at all; she’d only been there for thirteen minutes, which meant she was likely to be lying about sleeping with him too! Kelly knew some men didn’t last long in bed, but thirteen minutes was really taking the biscuit. Besides, Adele would have had to get up the stairs, get undressed, do the deed and then get dressed again and leave the flat in thirteen minutes. Judging by the state of Sam walking, he wouldn’t have even been capable of kissing someone, let alone anything else.

  ‘Well, there she is again,’ Derek said, his forehead creasing. ‘I don’t really know what to make of that.’

  Kelly beamed broadly, ‘I do Derek, I do. Thanks so much for your help. Is there any chance I could have this footage somehow?’

  ‘I’m really not supposed to. I don’t think we’re actually meant to give it out …’ He stopped as he watched Kelly’s bottom lip rise.

  Kelly pouted and she played with her hair with her index finger. ‘It would be such a big help,’ she muttered in a butter-wouldn’t-melt tone.

  ‘Okay,’ Derek nodded, smitten by Kelly’s charms. ‘But don’t tell anyone, okay?’

  ‘Dezza, you have my word, babe,’ Kelly said joyfully, kissing him on the cheek and leaving a lip-shaped glossy print behind. She smiled as Derek flushed beetroot red. He took the DVD out of the player and handed it to her.

  ‘Good luck with everything,’ he called as she made her way to the exit.

  ‘Thank you, Dez,’ Kelly replied. ‘You’ll never know how much this means to me.’

  Derek blushed again and dismissed her with his hand. ‘Bye Kelly.’

  *

  Jade was rushed off her feet. There were tons of emails to reply to as well as bikinis to be made. Jade wasn’t bad at sewing, but she was nowhere near as talented as Kelly and she wished her appointment would hurry up so she could get here to help.

  Picking up some crystals to sew on a turquoise strapless bikini, Jade’s eyes flicked to the photo of her and Sam in Nu Bar for Billy’s birthday the year before, just after Marbella. She loved that photo and knew it was probably time to take it down. Jade often looked at it when she was working and her eyes often wandered over to it ever since they’d split up. But she was certain it wasn’t helpful to have it sitting there, staring her in the face every day. Jade picked the photo up and studied it, feeling the familiar wave of sadness that overcame her every time she allowed herself to remember being with Sam. Their faces looked beatific and anyone could tell from this photo how in love they were; a moment of pure happiness had been captured and Jade wished, not for the first time, that things had turned out differently. She didn’t normally allow herself to dwell on her failed relationship for long; when she did, there was an ache in her heart which hurt so badly, she wondered if it would ever heal. Despite what had happened, Jade still loved Sam. Why couldn’t she just switch off her feelings? she wondered, as she picked up Princess Cupcake and sat her on her lap. She’d grown closer and closer to the little dog as every day went by. Jade would actually miss Cupcake now if Lisa took her away. She smiled down at the gorgeous furry creature and tickled her under her chin. Since being toilet trained, Cupcake was hardly any trouble anymore. She’d finally learnt what her own toys were and what she shouldn’t touch, much to Jade’s and Kelly’s delight. Lord McButterpants was having a birthday party soon and Jade had taken Princess Cupcake out and bought her the most amazing frilly pink dress and sparkly party hat; she would definitely be the best-dressed dog there, Jade thought fondly. Cupcake was great company, especially on days like today when Jade was feeling a bit down. She looked at the photo of herself with Kelly and Lisa and thanked God for having such amazing friends. Kelly had been acting a little odd the past few days – Jade couldn’t put her finger on what she was up to, but her mind had constantly seemed elsewhere and she knew Kelly hadn’t seen Billy in a few days, which was definitely strange. Jade hoped nothing was up with them, they made a great couple and she hadn’t seen Kelly so happy in ages.

  Fifteen minutes later the doorbell rang and Jade jumped up to let Kelly in, carrying Cupcake in her arms.

  ‘Hi Kel,’ she said as she opened the door.

  Kelly was smiling broadly. ‘Oh my God. I have got so much to tell you I don’t even know where to start,’ she said as she walked in.

  Jade was intrigued. ‘Let’s go to the office and you can tell me everything. How was the dentist? I hope it’s nothing serious?’

  Kelly shook her head. ‘Have you got a DVD player, babe?’

  Jade frowned, trying to keep the irritation out of her voice. ‘Kelly, we don’t have time to watch a DVD. I’ve only just started on the first bikini, we need to get going!’

  Kelly exhaled and raised her eyebrows. ‘Trust me, we’ll get them done. I need to show you something and it’s really important.’

  Jade gave a little nod and walked through to the lounge. ‘There’s a DVD player here.’

  Kelly faced her with a serious expression, her eyes brightening. ‘I have something else to tell you first. It’s about Adele and Chloe.’

  Jade rolled her eyes as they both descended onto the cream sofa. ‘Kelly, I really wish you’d stop blaming poor Chloe. She’d never do anything like that to us.’

  Kelly shook her head, her eyes widening as she spoke. ‘She’s confessed everything. I went round there to see her and overheard a conversation between Chloe and Adele,’ Kelly informed her, before explaining exactly what had happened that day to Jade who sat there, open mouthed. ‘Oh my God, shut up! It was Chloe all along? I can’t believe it!’ Jade was astounded. Never would she have expected it of sweet and innocent Chloe, of all people. She couldn’t believe Kelly had been right. ‘Well done, Kel. That’s amazing finding that out. I don’t think it’s possible to dislike someone as much as I dislike
Adele. If I never saw her again, it would be too soon. I can’t believe she stooped so low as bullying Chloe, what a cow. I’m just sorry I ever doubted you.’

  Kelly took Cupcake into her arms and cuddled her. ‘That’s okay,’ she replied, kissing the dog on her head. ‘Sometimes I just get a gut instinct and it’s usually right.’

  Jade nodded thoughtfully. ‘What’s the DVD got to do with Chloe and Adele though? I don’t understand.’

  ‘Nothing. Now this is even more important,’ Kelly announced, looking pleased with herself. She looked up at Jade, biting her lip, and Jade noticed she suddenly looked a bit awkward. ‘Okay, now I know this is going to sound a bit weird, but I went to Sam’s recently.’

  Jade’s jaw dropped in surprise. ‘What? Why?’

  ‘I just needed to know about Chloe and I wondered if he knew anything,’ Kelly replied quickly. ‘I didn’t go to see him about you or anything, don’t worry.’

  ‘What did he say? I can’t believe you went there,’ Jade replied, swallowing hard, a million questions flashing through her mind. Did Sam mention her? Or was he completely over their relationship now? They hadn’t been broken up for long, so she hoped not. Why did she still even care after what had happened?

  ‘I just asked him about Chloe and to see if she spoke to Adele and he told me that Adele often went to see her. He asked about you though,’ Kelly said with a mischievous smile. ‘There is no way he doesn’t still love you; I can tell a mile off. He looked disappointed when I told him I wasn’t there about you.’

  Jade felt her eyes brimming with tears and she blinked them away, furious with herself. ‘It’s all his fault,’ Jade said breathlessly. She looked at Kelly as a tear plopped on her nose. ‘I know I never say it, but I miss him, you know. I miss him every day and I try to not think about what we had, but it’s always there in the back of my mind,’ Jade said as she hugged her knees morosely.

  Kelly nodded. ‘I know, babe. Don’t get upset.’

  Jade sighed. ‘I’ve been trying not to get upset for the past few weeks we’ve been apart. I hold it in, bottle it up. I’ve never cried about Sam in front of anyone, but I can’t help it,’ Jade sniffed, wiping her eyes with the sleeve of her cardigan. ‘I just can’t believe he slept with Adele.’

  Kelly beamed broadly and Jade frowned. ‘Why are you smiling? It’s not funny.’

  ‘Babe, he didn’t do it!’ Kelly exploded in a high-pitched excited voice. ‘Adele was only in his flat for thirteen minutes, so unless he’s that bloke from American Pie he couldn’t have! I have it all here on camera. That’s what the DVD is!’

  Jade sat in silence as Kelly told her the whole story about how she’d overheard the security man talking and managed to get her hands on the footage. Kelly then proceeded to show Jade the video.

  ‘OMG! Kelly, I can’t believe you did that! I can’t believe you got your hands on this!’ Jade said, her jaw wide open, touching her bottom lip with her index finger. She felt a mixture of emotions. Happy, because Adele had been lying; by the looks of things Sam didn’t even realise she was following him and she’d actually only been there for thirteen minutes and not all night. Angry, because Adele had purposely gone out of her way to cause trouble again in the lowest way possible, causing the demise of their relationship. Lastly, Jade felt confused. What did this now mean for her and Sam? Should she forgive him for keeping this secret from her and accept it was just a one off?

  ‘There is one more surprise,’ Kelly said softly, interrupting Jade’s thoughts.

  ‘What?’ Jade asked in a small voice, wondering what else Kelly could possibly have up her sleeve.

  ‘Go to the front door and look outside,’ Kelly said, her mouth twitching.

  ‘But why?’ Jade asked, feeling suddenly nervous for some reason.

  Kelly nodded towards the front door. ‘Just go. I’ll be getting on with the bikinis upstairs.’

  Jade nodded and walked to the front door, opening it anxiously. At first she didn’t see anything, but as she turned to her right her heart skipped a beat and her blood raced round her body. There, sitting in his car and staring at her with his gorgeous green eyes, was Sam.

  CHAPTER 18

  Lisa hadn’t seen Nicola all day at work, which was unusual. She had dialled her extension number five times without getting an answer and was now walking down the corridor to where Nicola sat. She needed to explain the deal with Charlie desperately and was so glad that she hadn’t deleted his weird text message; at least she had some proof he was being inappropriate well before he moved in for the kill. Please believe me, Nicola, Lisa thought unhappily. Nicola hadn’t come back to the flat at all since she’d walked in on the incident and Lisa guessed she must be staying at her parents’ house. Lisa had texted her saying she needed to talk and called her several times, but Nicola hadn’t responded so far. The lift pinged and Lisa got out and nervously walked along the floor to where Nicola’s desk was. As she turned the corner, she was surprised when saw it was empty. Dina, a kind middle-aged woman who sat opposite Nicola, looked up from her computer.

  ‘You okay?’ she asked Lisa, with a concerned expression. Dina moved her glasses further up her nose, waiting for Lisa to respond.

  Lisa was frowning. ‘Errr … yes. I was just looking for Nicola. Do you know where she is?’

  ‘Nicola isn’t well today, sweetheart. She called in this morning with a stomach ache. Didn’t you know that already though? I thought you two lived together?’

  Lisa hesitated, not wanting to give too much away. ‘She stayed out last night so I wasn’t sure if she’d be here. I’m not surprised as she wasn’t feeling well yesterday and then she left. I’m not sure where she stayed though,’ she lied, knowing that Nicola wasn’t in work because she was obviously upset. At least her reason for not coming into work appeared a bit more genuine now.

  ‘Maybe she stayed with that gorgeous boyfriend of hers,’ Dina said, with a little cheeky grin.

  ‘Maybe,’ Lisa smiled back politely. ‘See you.’

  Lisa walked back to her own desk and hoped that Nicola was okay. She prayed to God that Charlie hadn’t got to her first and made up a load of lies, she would be furious. Nicola had been such a great friend since Lisa had split up with Jake and she didn’t know what she would do without her now. Knowing that she had to put things right before she went crazy, Lisa decided at that moment to visit Nicola’s parents’ home straight after work; this way Nicola would have no choice but to face up to things and finally talk to her.

  *

  Sam watched Jade walk over to his car and felt as though his heart was in his mouth. She looked stunned to see him sitting there and he couldn’t blame her because he’d normally be at work this time of day. As soon as Kelly had called him and told him the news he’d fibbed to his boss and told him he had an important doctor’s appointment and needed to take a half day; there was simply no way on earth he could have waited any longer to see Jade, not when the footage Kelly had got hold of might very well change things between them. Jade looked stunning as always; she was only wearing a casual pair of tight white jeans and a peach top, but she still looked like the sexiest girl in the world to him. Her long highlighted hair was loose and tousled, just how he liked it, and she was wearing minimal make-up, which he preferred. Jade didn’t need much to look beautiful he thought, as she opened the car door and sat in the passenger seat. He wanted to grab her and kiss her, tell her over and over he loved and missed her, but he sat there and took his time; this conversation couldn’t be rushed and he was petrified if he said the wrong thing he’d ruin it.

  ‘Hi,’ Jade said awkwardly as she sat down.

  ‘Hey,’ Sam replied, glancing at her with a half-smile. ‘You look nice.’

  Jade gave an insouciant shrug and arched an eyebrow. ‘I look awful, but thanks anyway.’ She looked him in the eye, quickly making his heart flip over, but then looked down again uncomfortably.

  ‘How have you been?’ Sam asked, clearing his throat. He wanted to k
now everything; what she had been up to, where she had been. It had been nothing but torture being apart from her this whole time and never knowing anything about what was going on in her life.

  ‘I’ve been okay I guess,’ Jade said as she heaved a sigh. ‘What about you?’

  ‘Mmm, I’ve been better,’ Sam answered, hoping she understood that he was never going to be ‘great’ when he wasn’t with her. ‘So, did Kelly show you the video?’ he asked hopefully to break up the silence. This was so weird; they were never silent when they were together.

  ‘Yes,’ Jade said, staring out of the window, deep in thought.

  Sam sat there, his heart thumping in his chest. Jade certainly wasn’t giving much away. ‘So? Do you believe me now? Do you believe I didn’t sleep with Adele? Can you see that she lied now? She told everyone that she’d stayed the entire night; Kelly told me she could see from the video that she followed me in and left after thirteen minutes.’

  Jade nodded. ‘Yes Sam, I believe you. I believe you didn’t sleep with her.’

  Sam exhaled sharply, wanting to scream with happiness. ‘I didn’t do anything with her, I knew it. I always knew she was lying deep down.’

  Jade turned and looked at him with a stern expression. ‘This still doesn’t excuse your behaviour afterwards though, Sam. You lied about seeing Adele and it’s very worrying that you got that drunk and didn’t remember anything. I find it so hard to trust men, you know that, and if you’d just been honest from the start and explained the situation, if you hadn’t kept this huge secret …’

  ‘I know, I know,’ Sam agreed, not wanting to hear any more. He should have just told Jade straight away, but he couldn’t turn back time now, he could only apologise. ‘Jade, I was terrified of losing you,’ he said, finally leaning his head back on the car seat and running his hand through his hair. ‘When I woke up that morning, I honestly didn’t know what to do. I got too drunk and I was ashamed that I couldn’t remember anything, so I didn’t tell you. I wish I did, but the thought of you leaving me was too much to bear. When I saw a text message from Adele the following day I felt like crying and I didn’t know what to think. But I’m so glad now that we know for sure that she was lying. She’s a twisted cow who wanted to ruin us again.’