Читать книгу MADE IN ESSEX - Laura Ziepe - Страница 9

‘No, Cupcake!’ Jade shrieked in horror as she watched the little dog running off with a bikini top. ‘Come back here!’

‘She won’t come back if you shout,’ Kelly told her, raising her eyebrows, whizzing a bikini up and down on the sewing machine.

‘And she won’t come back if I whisper either, so what do you suggest I do?’ Jade couldn’t hide her exasperation. They’d had the dog for half a day and already she was driving Jade mad. Kelly could see no harm in her, which was making matters worse.

‘Don’t take it out on me,’ Kelly sulked, pouting.

‘I’m not. Sorry, I’m just stressed,’ Jade said as she marched off down the hall to find the dog. ‘No, Cupcake! No!’ she shouted as she saw the dog squatting down and urinating on the floor. ‘You’re meant to go on the puppy pad, you silly girl.’

The dog gave her an imperious look and sprinted off, making Jade even more incandescent. She cowered when Jade caught up with her.

‘Ah-ha!’ Jade felt a sense of achievement, ‘nowhere to run now, is there? I’ve got you, oh yes. Now, don’t even think of running off again.’ She swept her up and took her back to the office, closing the door firmly behind them.

‘Cupcake, you’re such a naughty little dog, aren’t you?’ Kelly said in her baby voice as the dog ran over to her and jumped, wanting to be picked up.

‘She’s weed again on the floor, so I’m going to clear it up,’ Jade said frustrated. They really needed to be getting on with things and Cupcake was taking up all their time. She never realised that dogs needed so much attention. They would have to close the door at all times now or she would just keep running out. The puppy pads were a complete nightmare as she either missed or just ignored them completely. And who knew that puppies went to the toilet so many times in one day! It was absurd!

‘Babe, just relax,’ Kelly told her when she walked back through the door. ‘I’ve got an idea. We’ll send Cupcake for a massage for a few hours so she can de-stress. It will give us some rest and then we’ll just give Lisa the bill. She feels a bit tense,’ Kelly observed, stroking the dog and feeling her back.

‘Are you being serious? Feels tense? A dog massage? Do they even do them? I don’t know about her being tense, but I sure as hell am.’

‘Yeah they definitely do them, Lord McButterpants always has them done,’ Kelly told Jade as she looked up the website on her iPhone. ‘Here you go. We’ll get her the gold package yeah? She gets a bath with shampoo and conditioner, mini massage, a deep cleanse facial, nail buffing, clipping and filing, haircut, goodie bag and toy.’

‘Wow. All for just one little dog,’ Jade was shocked.

‘Oh, but she’s so worth it though, aren’t you Cupcake?’ Kelly cooed.

Jade wasn’t so sure. She was cute to look at, but the way she was feeling right now, that was as far as it went. Kelly’s mum’s Chihuahua, Lord McButterpants, seemed much better behaved than Princess Cupcake. Lord McButterpants was honestly no trouble at all. ‘Right, you take her then and I’ll be getting on with these bikinis. Is that one done?’

‘Yes, look how well it’s come together,’ Kelly said as she held up the purple fringed top and bottoms.

‘Amazing,’ Jade said, in awe of Kelly’s work. ‘I can’t wait for the photo shoot now. Chloe should be here soon, she’s coming over to borrow one of my dresses for her friend’s party, so I can ask her to model the bikinis.’

‘Oh I love Chloe. I’ll go now and drop the dog off so I don’t miss her. I want to see her try this fringe one on.’

Fifteen minutes later Chloe arrived, looking as immaculate as ever without even trying. Her long blonde hair was wavy in a side parting, with a cute little plait pinned back on the right side. She was wearing light blue jeans with a tight baby pink jumper.

‘Hi,’ she said cheerfully with a huge smile.

‘Hi Chloe. Come in. Do you want a drink?’ Jade asked her as she closed the front door.

‘Yes please.’

‘Tea?’

‘Perfect.’

‘Come in the kitchen,’ Jade told her, ‘I’ll put the kettle on.’

They chatted for a few minutes while the kettle was boiling, until Jade brought it up.

‘I’m sure Sam has told you already that Kelly and I have started our own bikini business?’

‘Yes, it’s such a good idea,’ Chloe replied, ‘I’ll definitely be coming to you when I buy my holiday bikinis.’

‘Well, I was wondering if you’d like to model them on our website? My other friend Lisa is doing it too and she’s never modelled before, so you won’t be the only one. You can get some really nice photos and I don’t know, maybe you could even forward them on to some agencies or something. I’m sure you have what it takes if you do enjoy it.’

‘What me?’ Chloe was abashed. ‘You’re sure you want me to model on your website? Really?’ She looked flabbergasted.

‘Of course,’ Jade replied, amazed that she was so shocked, ‘you’re completely stunning! When we went shopping that time you had literally everyone staring at you. Even girls just want to gaze at you all day.’

Chloe’s face suffused with colour. ‘I don’t know what to say,’ she managed at last. ‘Thank you so much. I’d love to do it if you want me. I’m not sure if I’ll be any good though …’

‘Excellent!’ Jade was delighted. Chloe was such a sweet, modest girl; just as beautiful on the inside as the outside. She was perfect for the job.

The doorbell sounded and in walked Kelly.

‘She’s agreed,’ Jade informed her merrily.

‘Fab, hun. Now come try on this bikini I’ve just made. It’s going to look so beauts with your skin tone and hair colour!’

When Chloe walked in the office wearing their latest new bikini, Jade and Kelly watched her avidly and gasped. It looked nicer than they ever could have imagined.

‘Oh my God! Babe, you look like a Victoria’s Secret model,’ Kelly complimented her. ‘Your legs are so long. I would kill for them!’

‘Thanks,’ Chloe said, blushing from head to toe.

‘Do you like the bikini?’ Jade asked Chloe.

‘I love it!’ Chloe said with an honest smile. ‘You two are so clever.’

Kelly shook her head. ‘Babe, she’s the intellectual one that comes up with all the ideas. I’m just good at sewing and making the swimwear.’

‘Don’t put yourself down, Kelly,’ Jade told her crossly. ‘We’d be nowhere without you. And Chloe, as a thank you for modelling for us, seeing as we can’t pay you at this point, we’re going to let you and Lisa have a free bikini.’

‘Oh thank you so much!’ Chloe looked like she genuinely appreciated it. ‘I think I’m going to choose this one. It’s so nice.’

‘You haven’t even seen the others yet,’ Jade giggled, knowing that Chloe was going to end up loving them all. ‘Anyway, I’ll pick you up tomorrow night if that’s okay? Then take you to the studio and Kelly will do your hair and make-up.’

‘Okay, thanks. Thank you so much for asking me,’ Chloe smiled, revealing her perfectly straight white teeth.

‘Thank you so much for agreeing!’ Kelly said. She eyed her over, deep in thought. ‘Babe, you may want to come to me tonight for a spray tan. I mean, I know you’ve got quite naturally tanned skin, but … well Lisa is coming and I just think you should both look proper tanned. Obviously you don’t have to pay.’

‘Thank you,’ Chloe said.

‘Kelly, she’s tanned enough!’ Jade protested.

Kelly shook her head. ‘You can never be tanned enough; you know my motto.’

*

Chloe left Jade’s house, feeling on cloud nine. She couldn’t believe they actually wanted her to model! Her friends would all be so jealous. Maybe she wouldn’t tell them? She hated it when they envied her; they acted all weird and quiet, and she knew they constantly spoke about her behind her back. She recalled the one time when she started going out with the hottest boy from college, Adam Lockwood. Everyone had fancied him and she’d only said yes because all her friends had boyfriends at the time and she wanted to be able to join in conversations about dating and snogging. Her friends had been so bitchy, arranging days and nights out without telling her and not including her in any conversations. It was only when she broke up with him that they went back to normal, as though it had never happened. At first she thought she’d done something wrong, but when she confessed to her mum what was happening, she told her they were simply jealous, and that jealousy brought out a very vicious and nasty side to people. She didn’t want everyone to hate her but nothing could stop her feeling excited about tomorrow. She was going to have her own professional photos done as well as a free bikini and Kelly, who always looked gorgeous in her opinion, was going to be doing her spray tan, hair and make-up! Then to top it all off, she was going to be featured on their website! Chloe couldn’t wait to tell her mum. Sam and her dad might not like the idea of images of her wearing nothing but a bikini online so maybe she wouldn’t tell them for now. Her dad was so over-protective and old fashioned and she just knew he would ramble on about weirdos and perverts looking at her photos online. Sam looked out for her, but he wasn’t over the top like her dad, so maybe he would be okay with it.

Her mobile started ringing and Chloe was surprised when she saw Adele’s number flashing on the screen.

‘Hi Adele. You okay?’

‘Hello, babe,’ came the husky reply. ‘Yeah I’m good thanks. You?’

‘Yeah I’m really well,’ Chloe said. ‘Thanks again for the other night.’

‘That’s fine, honey. I only ended up going back to Sam’s didn’t I? God we were so wasted,’ Adele gave a little laugh.

Chloe was stunned and didn’t know what to say. Sam was with Jade; what on earth was he playing at? ‘Oh. What happened?’ She closed her eyes, trying to block out the thought of it.

There was a long pause. ‘Well it’s a bit awkward saying seeing as you’re his little sister, but I slept with him.’

Chloe felt sick. She’d always respected Sam so much and Jade was lovely. She never thought he would cheat on her. How could he? ‘Oh,’ was all Chloe managed to finally reply.

Adele exhaled what Chloe guessed was a cloud of smoke. ‘Yeah I know. I’m not exactly proud, but it takes two to tango doesn’t it?’ she replied robustly.

‘Yes, I suppose so,’ Chloe mumbled.

‘Anyway, babe. The reason I was calling is because I know I can trust you with something. It’s a long story, but basically Kelly and Jade have stolen my business idea and I know they’re going to be asking you to model the bikinis for their website.’

Chloe didn’t like the sound of this. She was sure Jade and Kelly would never steal Adele’s ideas, but Adele scared her too much for her to say that. She swallowed hard. ‘Yes, they did mention something about it,’ she answered wanly.

‘Oh good. I knew they would. Anyway hun, like I said, me and you go way back and I know I can trust you. I’ll need you to get in with them and report back to me what they’re doing and any new designs they come up with. I can count on you, can’t I, Chloe? You won’t let me down after I helped you the other night, will you?’ Adele’s voice was hectoring.