MADE IN ESSEX

by Laura Ziepe

  ‘It’s actually not that painful!’ Donna giggled.

  ‘I told you that,’ Adele replied curtly.

  ‘I can hear the skin pierce, but that’s the worst bit,’ Donna said, as she laid there with a grin on her face.

  ‘It’s honestly nothing to be worried about,’ Adele smiled at her other guests who then relaxed and carried on their conversation. They were three of her mum’s friends who she didn’t know that well. Adele’s mum had fillers and wasn’t able to make it.

  When the Botox party was over, Adele glanced at her reflection in the mirror and pouted. She loved cosmetic surgery; it was the best thing ever invented. ‘I’m going to get my eyebrows tattooed,’ she informed Donna, who was sipping a glass of rosé wine. ‘There is this brilliant semi-permanent make-up artist in Essex that all the celebs go to. Maybe you should get it done with me before your wedding?’

  Donna nearly spat her drink out. ‘More needles? I’d have a heart attack! I’m just fine for now,’ she informed her, looking horrified at the thought of it. ‘It’s so nice to just relax for one evening and not have to think and worry about the wedding. I can’t believe it’s only a week away!’

  Adele couldn’t wait. She had a week to make herself look even more beautiful so she was ready to bag her footballer. ‘Does Aaron have lots of friends going?’ she asked hopefully.

  Donna nodded. ‘Yeah, quite a lot I think. There are around a hundred guests in total. I’m so excited,’ she said, her voice raising an octave higher.

  ‘How are you having your hair?’ Adele wondered. She had to admit Donna’s extensions looked lovely; so much so that she was going to the same woman in two days’ time to get the same ones, though she hadn’t admitted that to Donna. She couldn’t believe how slim she was looking either. There was a radiant glow about her and it wasn’t the Botox, as Adele knew from experience that it wouldn’t show until a few days’ time.

  ‘I’m getting Kelly to do my hair and make-up,’ she told her, without noticing Adele’s face suddenly becoming contorted in shock and anger. Donna continued as she ran her hands through her long hair, ‘She’s going to curl it and do half up and then I just want lovely natural make-up,’ Donna grinned, imagining her big day.

  ‘Why would you ask that airhead?’ Adele glowered. ‘Surely you can afford someone better than her? She’s rubbish and if you ask me I think you’re making a huge mistake,’ she said, folding her arms across her chest sulkily.

  Donna tutted. ‘Adele, don’t be like that. Kelly is lovely and I love the way she does my hair and make-up. I was going to pay for her to do yours too.’

  Adele’s mouth dropped open. ‘I wouldn’t let her touch me with a bargepole!’ She scowled with a grimace. ‘I’ll get my own hairdresser and make-up artist thank you very much.’

  Donna shrugged and took another sip of wine. ‘Suit yourself. Though I’ll never understand why you have such a problem with Kelly, she’s so nice. I’ve invited her to the wedding.’

  ‘What?’ Adele was horrified. ‘You’ve invited her to the wedding as well?’

  ‘Yes,’ Donna frowned. ‘I honestly don’t get what the big deal is? I’ve known Kelly for about two years; she always does my beauty treatments.’

  Adele huffed. ‘Oh whatever,’ she said, rolling her eyes. Then the thought of her getting with a hot footballer and rubbing it in Kelly’s face ran through her mind; maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad thing after all? Adele smirked at the thought of making Kelly jealous. Adele was looking forward to the wedding now; she may not be the bride on this occasion, but she was going to make damn well sure that she was the centre of attention.

  CHAPTER 19

  ‘Slow down,’ Billy told Kelly firmly. ‘I can’t understand what you’re saying. What are those things on your head by the way?’ he asked, lifting his eyebrows as he glanced at the bright pink rollers in Kelly’s hair.

  ‘They’re rollers, babe; make your hair well amaze. Anyway, that’s not important right now. Just listen to what I’m saying. I recognised Gary’s mum in the garden that night and didn’t know where from, then when you told me Alfie’s last name was Salmon I knew it from somewhere and checked my diary. That’s when I remembered having two customers that were friends, with the last name Salmon and Jacobs! It was Gary’s mum! I’m certain of it now. Gary’s in on it, Bill, I swear he is.’ Kelly showed Billy her beauty treatment book and opened it on the page to show him. She pointed with her perfectly manicured nail.

  Billy’s brows knitted in puzzlement as he saw the name Susan Jacobs; it was dawning on him for the first time that Kelly might actually be right. ‘That’s weird,’ he said, sitting down.

  ‘Gary’s mum’s name is Susan, yeah?’ Kelly asked breathlessly. She felt a weight had been lifted off her shoulders and was so glad she’d told Billy her discovery.

  Billy nodded as he frowned. ‘Yeah. So his mum has a good friend with the last name Salmon,’ he muttered to himself, scratching his head. ‘It could be a coincidence that Susan’s friend has the same last name. I still can’t imagine Gary doing this to me,’ Billy said, but Kelly noticed he spoke without the usual conviction in his voice.

  ‘Look at this pic, babe.’ Kelly showed the image she’d captured of Gary laughing.

  Billy looked even more astonished as he saw his friend who was supposedly completely distraught, laughing his head off. ‘Something isn’t right here,’ he whispered. ‘I need to see him,’ he quickly added, calling him straight away on his mobile. ‘Voicemail,’ he said, disappointed.

  ‘Go round and see him?’ Kelly suggested.

  ‘You know what babe, I think I will,’ he said standing up. ‘Coming?’

  ‘Sure am,’ Kelly said, glad that she’d finally convinced Billy that Gary wasn’t whiter than white. She stood up with her head held high, ready to take on the world.

  ‘Errr Kelly, can you just do me one little favour?’ Billy asked, narrowing his eyes.

  ‘Anything,’ Kelly said, wondering what it could be.

  ‘Take those bloody things out of your hair!’ he laughed, making his way to the front door.

  *

  When they pulled up outside Gary’s house, Billy looked perplexed as he watched a man knocking on Gary’s front door. ‘That’s the CID,’ Billy told Kelly, as he watched Gary open the door, smile at him and let him in. Luckily he didn’t spot them sitting in Kelly’s car. ‘Why has Gary not told me about a meeting with him?’ he wondered, shaking his head in confusion.

  ‘Try calling Gary on his home phone and ask him what he’s up to,’ Kelly suggested. ‘It’ll be interesting to see what he says, babe.’

  ‘Good idea,’ Billy agreed, picking up his mobile once more and dialling the number, putting it on loudspeaker so Kelly could hear. Kelly watched the phone in anticipation and sat on the edge of her seat as they waited.

  ‘Hello,’ Gary answered.

  ‘Alright, Gal? It’s Bill.’

  He sounded a bit startled. ‘Alright, mate?’

  Billy cleared this throat. ‘Yeah, all good. Just wondered what you were up to tonight and if you fancied going for a drink? Maybe we can discuss our next step with the business?’

  ‘Mate, it’s a bit late for that now. I’m having a quiet night as I’m not feeling great. Going to go to bed soon if I’m honest. We’ll discuss it tomorrow, yeah?’

  Kelly’s mouth popped open; she couldn’t believe he’d just told them a big fat lie! He was having a meeting with the CID and he hadn’t even told Billy about it. She watched the shocked look appear on Billy’s face and knew he was just as surprised. He thought of Gary as one of his best mates, the poor thing.

  ‘Okay, no worries pal. We’ll speak tomorrow,’ Billy finally answered with a frown.

  ‘Bye,’ Gary said before hanging up the phone.

  ‘Oh my God!’ Kelly gasped. ‘Now do you believe me?’

  Billy bit his bottom lip. ‘Something definitely isn’t right and I’m going to find out what,’ he said, opening the car door. />
  ‘Billy, what are you going to do?’ Kelly worried. ‘Wait! I have an idea,’ she told him as she pulled out the black baseball cap and hoody from the boot. ‘He has a side gate and we can disguise ourselves with these and check on what he’s doing in there.’

  Billy eyed her suspiciously. ‘Are you still going to tell me you were playing football next door that night he found you in the garden?’

  Kelly’s mouth twitched and Billy laughed.

  ‘Good work, Kelly,’ he said, impressed, knowing for certain she’d been spying. He put on the baseball cap and followed Kelly round the side of the house through the gate.

  ‘Follow me,’ Kelly whispered, stopping again at the window at the side of the house, which once again was open seeing as it was a warm evening. She froze when she looked through and realised Gary was standing right by it. She pointed to Billy and he stooped low alongside her and peered in. They could hear Gary’s voice, loud and clear.

  ‘So that money should be in your account by the end of this week,’ he said to the CID man. ‘I’m going to Dubai for a while next week, so if you need to speak to someone, call Alfie.’

  Kelly inhaled sharply and noticed Billy’s eyes widen.

  ‘Someone say my name?’ another man asked jovially, walking over with three glasses of champagne.

  ‘That’s Alfie!’ Billy hissed, looking livid.

  ‘Shut up! That’s the man from Gary’s car the other day, babe. I remember seeing his awfully long sideburns and thinking they could do with a trim!’ Kelly whispered as they continued to watch the men inside.

  ‘Here’s to a great little business deal,’ Gary grinned, clinking glasses with the two men.

  ‘That’s it!’ Billy fumed, not able to watch anymore. He walked back through the gate and banged on the front door furiously, with Kelly following behind him.

  Kelly couldn’t believe what they’d just seen. The CID wasn’t the police at all! He was in on the act! She stood behind Billy as he continued hammering on the door.

  Gary answered with a bemused expression, wondering who was so desperate at this time of night to be let in. As his eyes focused on Billy and Kelly his face dropped and he went to shut the door again, but Billy managed to get his foot in first.

  ‘Not so fast, Gal,’ Billy sneered. ‘I think me and you need a little word,’ he smirked as he barged through the door.

  ‘Billy! What do you want?’ Gary asked, trying to act normal suddenly as Billy faced him with a face like thunder. ‘I told you I was going to bed.’

  Billy’s face scrunched up in anger. ‘What do I want? What do I bloody well want?’ Billy said, shoving past him and walking through the hallway, searching for Alfie and the CID who were clearly hiding. ‘I want to know why you have Alfie Salmon here as well as the CID? Or should I say fake CID as let’s face it, at the moment he’s looking about as legitimate as a Burberry bag from Romford Market.’

  Kelly bit her lip, trying not to giggle at the comment. She always laughed when she felt nervous. She’d never seen Billy this mad since she’d known him and it was scary to watch.

  Gary flushed and he looked afraid. ‘What are you talking about?’

  Billy turned to him and pointed a finger in his face, his eyes like slits. ‘You know damn well what I’m talking about, so let’s cut the crap. You almost pulled the wool over my eyes, pretending to be gutted about the business, but when I think about it now, you must have been laughing at me the whole time. It was you that always dealt with Alfie, you made sure of that didn’t you? And it was you that called the CID. I offered to call the police, but you were adamant that you dealt with it and I can see why now. You tried to act like you were doing me a favour! But the whole time you were plotting against me. After all the years I’ve known you, Gary! How could you do that to me? You were going to run off with all that stolen money and leave me to pick up the pieces.’ Billy looked enraged, but Kelly could see there was hurt in his eyes as well.

  Gary looked at Billy with venom. ‘You don’t know what you’re talking about,’ he said, shaking his head.

  Billy’s face darkened as the fury rushed through his veins. ‘Don’t you dare deny it, Gary! At least give me some respect. Be a man and admit it!’ he spat.

  ‘I’m not admitting a thing,’ Gary shrugged, trying to remain calm. Kelly could tell he was most certainly rattled though; he was like a shaking rabbit caught in the headlights.

  Kelly could hear movement under the cupboard by the stairs and opened it, revealing Alfie and the fake CID standing there in shock. ‘Here they are, Billy. Here are the two we were looking for,’ she announced. The two men came out sheepishly and made a run for it towards the front door.

  ‘You won’t get away with it!’ Billy shouted after them. ‘I’m calling the police and telling them everything!’

  ‘Look, you don’t realise the stress I’ve been under,’ Gary said, wiping the sweat from his brow. ‘I needed the money, Billy. I wasn’t going to leave you, I swear. I would have come back and sorted it out eventually. Please, don’t get the police involved. I’m one of your oldest mates.’

  Billy gave a short laugh. ‘A mate? You think this is how mates behave, do you? The sad thing is, Gary, I never even thought for a minute that you may be involved in this. I’m just lucky that Kelly realised in time. You’re not getting away with this, I can promise you that.’

  ‘I can explain everything. Please. You don’t need to involve the police,’ Gary said, shifting on his feet uncomfortably and panicking.

  ‘He does and he will,’ Kelly informed him. She’d heard enough of Gary’s begging for one day; he was a complete lowlife in her eyes.

  ‘Who asked you?’ Gary scorned. ‘This isn’t about make-up and hair, Kelly, keep your nose out and go and read Heat magazine, you dumb cow; it’s between me and Billy.’

  Billy’s whole body tensed and he lunged towards Gary and punched him full pelt in the nose. Kelly watched in horror as Gary’s nose exploded and blood gushed out like a fountain. ‘That’s for speaking to Kelly like dirt!’ Billy shouted. He punched Gary again in the stomach, winding him and making him bend over in pain. ‘And that’s for the business,’ Billy muttered under his breath. ‘Come on Kelly, we’re off.’

  ‘Are you okay?’ Kelly asked Billy timidly when they were outside.

  ‘I’m fine,’ Billy said attempting a smile. ‘Well my hand hurts a bit, but apart from that.’

  Kelly giggled. ‘I can’t believe you punched him. He deserved it though, babe,’ she said as she opened the car door.

  Billy sat down in the passenger seat and stared at Kelly intently. ‘Kelly, I can’t even begin to tell you how sorry I am for not listening to you. I’m embarrassed that I didn’t take your opinions seriously and I said you come out with stupid things. You’re not stupid at all, not even close. If it wasn’t for you, who knows what would have happened. Thank you,’ he said, taking her hand and kissing it.

  Kelly kissed him gently on the lips. ‘That’s okay, babe,’ she told him. This was the second time this week someone was apologising to her and Kelly was overjoyed that she’d helped out two of the closest people in her life.

  ‘I’m going to go to the police station first thing tomorrow and tell them everything,’ Billy said gingerly. ‘Do you think that’s the right thing to do?’ he asked Kelly.

  Kelly felt glad that he wanted her opinion. ‘I think it’s your only choice,’ she told him softly. ‘Gary isn’t your friend, babe. I’m so sorry, I can imagine how betrayed you must feel.’

  Billy nodded and Kelly knew he was a bit too choked to talk. ‘Let’s go home,’ he told her and Kelly started the car.

  *

  Lisa woke up with a smile on her face as she remembered the night before. Even her throbbing temples couldn’t put her in bad spirits. She’d kissed Ben in Switch Bar and it had felt magical! Just the thought of it made her stomach go over with excitement. She’d been pretty certain Nicola had snogged Ben’s mate, Adam, when they left together,
because Adam had to get up for work early and offered to drop Nicola back first. Lisa had seen the cheeky glint in her friend’s eye when she’d waved goodbye and it had been pretty obvious that Adam liked Nicola too. Nicola had told Lisa that Ben usually hated the thought of his friends with his little sister and normally tried to prevent it from happening, but with Lisa being there he had hardly noticed! Glad I could be of help, Lisa thought to herself wryly. It was great to see Nicola enjoying herself and Lisa doubted she’d even thought about Charlie once with Adam around. Adam looked like he lived in the gym; he had the biggest muscles Lisa had seen and she knew that he was exactly Nicola’s type. Though Charlie had been good looking, Nicola preferred muscly men to tall and slim, like Charlie’s build.

  Lisa stretched in bed, wishing she could lie there for longer. Reluctantly, she sat up and reached across for her iPhone, feeling a warm glow when she saw that Ben had texted her.

  Morning sleepy head. Great meeting you last night. You even look lovely when you’re scoffing a burger down at one o’ clock in the morning;) Do you fancy doing something this weekend? Ben xx

  Lisa gasped in horror. Oh no, the burger! Memories of her begging the cab driver to stop on the way back so she could get something to eat came back to haunt her. She texted back, unable to wipe the smile from her face. She’d been on so many dates recently, but no one had made her feel like this so far; it was a good sign.

  Good morning Ben. I can imagine you have a stunning image of me in my drunken state last night with ketchup round my face. Just to let you know though, I blame you. I told you I didn’t want those last two shots and you made me, meaning the burger monster comes out, ha. I promise next time we meet there won’t be a burger in sight:) I’m free this weekend and would love to meet up, Lisa xx

  Lisa was still grinning when Nicola walked into the kitchen.

  ‘Morning, honey,’ she smiled back, taking the cup of coffee Lisa had made her. ‘Oh my God, what happened with you and my brother last night when we left? Did you pull him?’ Nicola’s eyes were sparkling with excitement.