MADE IN ESSEX. Laura Ziepe

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СКАЧАТЬ in, Jade was mesmerised. There were dog coats, jackets, t-shirts, dresses, skirts, fancy dress costumes. There was even dog perfume! They were surrounded by everything you could ever need for your pet and more.

      ‘Hi girls,’ the lady that worked there greeted them, ‘awww … let me have a look at her,’ she said as she approached them and spotted Cupcake poking her tiny head out of the bag.

      As the lady chatted to Kelly and Lisa, Jade walked around the shop, amazed at some of the things she was seeing. She picked up a gorgeous Swarovski collar and bracelet set, thinking Cupcake would look adorable in it, and then reeled in shock at the £150 price tag. This one is better, she thought, picking up a little white one with pink crystals, which was only £17.95. As Jade browsed through the adorable little dresses, picking up some as she went, she froze. She could hear a girl talking loudly behind her to the lady at the till. How did she know that voice?

      ‘Jade?’ the husky voice said, sending shivers down her spine.

      She turned around, to be confronted with her worst nightmare. It was Adele. Memories of Marbella last year came flooding back to her. Not only had Adele, who was Sam’s ex-girlfriend, tried to keep them apart by telling lies about Jade and snogging Sam right in front of her face, but she had also stolen their bag of sequins and jewels from the market and put them on her own bikini! She’d denied it of course, but Jade and Kelly knew the truth. She was just a complete bitch and Jade had hoped she’d never see her again. She had spotted her once since Marbella down Loughton High Street, but she had hid in a shop until she had gone. There was nowhere to escape in here.

      ‘Oh, hi Adele,’ she said, about to turn back round to the shelves of clothing. The last thing she wanted was to actually have a conversation with her.

      To Jade’s surprise, Adele practically jumped on her, kissing her cheek. ‘Oh my God, I haven’t seen you for ages! How are you, hun? Who are you with? Oh my God, shut up! It’s Kelly. Kelly!’ she shouted, flapping up and down and interrupting Kelly’s conversation with Lisa and the shop assistant.

      Kelly’s face dropped and she waved unenthusiastically, looking like she’d seen a ghost.

      ‘Come over here, babe!’ Adele signalled, a huge grin plastered on her face.

      Kelly said something to Lisa, who looked over, and they made their way to where Jade and Adele were standing.

      Adele grabbed Kelly as soon as she was within reach, hugging her tightly. Jade had to stifle a laugh as she watched Kelly’s terrified face.

      ‘Hi Adele,’ she said, trying to pull back from her forceful embrace.

      ‘How are you, babe? Can’t believe how long it’s been! I’ve been hoping to bump into you two for ages.’

      ‘I’m good thanks,’ Kelly replied, taking another step back. ‘This is Lisa by the way; I don’t think you met her in Marbella?’

      ‘No,’ Adele shook her head, ‘I do recognise you from Marbs though. I saw you with Jade and Kelly a few times. Hi, hun.’

      ‘Hi,’ Lisa nodded, looking bored. She knew all about Adele and how much of a cow she was.

      ‘Oh my God! Your dog is amazing!’ Adele roughly put her hand through the opening of the bag to stroke Cupcake, who cowered and hid further into the safety of the blanket. ‘What a lovely Chihuahua.’

      ‘Thanks,’ Lisa replied, looking at her watch.

      ‘I’m buying a miniature Yorkshire Terrier, so just getting some little bits for him now. He’s completely adorable. Costing my dad a fortune because he’s like, from the best breeders ever. Think his dad was a winner at Crufts and everything. Over one and a half grand he is. Oh well, it’s worth it, isn’t it babe?’ she said to Lisa, as though they understood each other because they both had dogs. ‘What’s she called?’

      ‘Cupcake,’ Lisa replied.

      ‘Princess Cupcake,’ Kelly corrected her hastily.

      ‘Cute,’ Adele smiled. ‘I’m calling mine Buddy. He’ll keep me company in my new amazing flat my dad bought me. You girls have to come over soon. It’s stunning. Huge. We’ll go out for the night and have drinks before at mine. Where are you girls living now? Not at home with your parents still, surely?’ Adele smirked.

      ‘Me and Kelly are, yes,’ Jade answered indignantly. ‘At least this way we can save money as luckily our parents don’t charge us too much rent.’

      Adele looked as though she’d tasted something bitter. ‘Your parents make you pay rent?’

      Jade and Kelly nodded.

      ‘Oh right,’ Adele remarked, raising her eyebrows in disbelief. ‘My dad has taken care of everything for me, luckily. He’s bought me all new furniture too. What about you?’ she asked, her eyes flicking to Lisa.

      ‘I’m moving in with a friend,’ Lisa replied, ‘and will be paying my own rent and buying my own furniture. I could never just sponge off my parents without contributing, even if it was an option. No offence,’ Lisa grinned caustically.

      ‘None taken,’ Adele retorted, with one of her fake smiles that Jade knew so well.

      ‘Anyway Adele, nice seeing you. We really better hurry up though, we’ve loads to buy,’ Kelly said, as she turned and picked up a tiny white frilly dress.

      ‘Okay girls, have fun shopping. I’ll add you on Facebook and we can go out soon, yeah?’

      ‘Yeah, though I don’t go on my Facebook much,’ Jade lied.

      ‘No problem. Give me your phone, babe,’ Adele demanded, holding out her hand.

      ‘Why?’ Jade said, trying to think of a good reason why she wouldn’t have it on her without it looking too obvious.

      ‘I’ll put my number in,’ Adele told her firmly.

      Seeing no way out, Jade passed her the phone and Adele put her number in and called it so she had Jade’s number on her own. How annoying? Jade thought, hoping she wouldn’t keep texting and calling. Why couldn’t she just get the picture? They didn’t, and would never like Adele; she was bad news.

      ‘Cheers, hun,’ Adele turned to leave, ‘oh, and Kelly?’

      ‘Yes?’ Kelly replied, warily.

      ‘I really wouldn’t go for that white dress for Cupcake. It’ll do nothing for her figure,’ Adele remarked and then waved dismissively and left.

      *

      Later on that day Jade and Kelly were on their way to the meeting with Tony.

      ‘I still can’t believe that Adele suggested our gorgeous little Cupcake was podgy,’ Kelly huffed moodily, shaking her head; her thick, blonde, freshly blow-dried luscious waves bouncing. It was all they had spoken about since it had happened. They’d said goodbye to Lisa, who was also furious with Adele’s remark, and then Jade and Kelly had had their hair done. It was so nice to simply sit there while someone made your hair look amazing. Jade’s long blonde hair extensions were quite hard to handle, and she’d got into the habit of having them blow dried whenever she could. It was worth the СКАЧАТЬ