Page 101 of What Happens in Dubai

Ashley burst through the door around half nine, looking immaculate and bright.

‘Well …?’ I asked cautiously, never quite knowing what she was going to say.

She paused, bit her lip and screamed, ‘We’re back together!’

I rushed towards her and squeezed her tightly. ‘I am so pleased for you! Oh, Ash!’

Ashley’s eyes filled with emotion. ‘Don’t!! You’ll set me off. I had the best night ever!’

‘Go on …’

I pulled her over to the sofa where she divulged the entire night from start to finish. She explained how Dave acknowledged that he took her for granted, how she was so sorry for the incident and that they never wanted to be apart again. He promised to trade FIFA for fud and give her everything she desired. I felt a warm buzz for my friend. I hadn’t seen her look this content for a long time, and it was infectious.

She had just started to rave about the insane sex she’d been having all night when the door opened. Tom was standing there with a white polo shirt and jeans on.

‘Morning!’ Ashley bellowed.

‘God, you look radiant!’ Tom replied, heading over to the sofas to join us.

‘So bloody happy! You’ll be gutted you’ve just missed me telling Zara all about the wild sex I had last night.’

Tom cleared his throat and raised an eyebrow at me. I immediately felt my face reddening.

‘Lucky you!’ Tom said.

‘And how was your night, guys? Did you have fun?’ Ashley asked.

We both nodded our heads awkwardly.

‘I hope she gave you the send-off you deserved, Thomas!’

Tom chuckled. ‘She certainly did, Ash. She certainly did …’

My phone began ringing loudly from the table, and I was thankful for the distraction. It was Raj FaceTiming.

‘Hey, where are you? We’re all here!’ I gushed.

Raj’s face was sun-kissed, and I could see tiny freckles had gathered sweetly around his nose.

‘Are you all there? Tom too?’ Raj replied.

I leaned my phone on the vase in the centre of the table, and the three of us gathered together.

‘We’re here!’ Ashley shouted impatiently. ‘Where are you?’

Raj flipped his camera around to a bright blue sky and a piping hot ray of sunshine.

‘I’m still here. I couldn’t do it,’ he laughed, but his eyes were glazed with tears.

We looked at one another, confused.

‘Still in Dubai?’ I asked.

‘Since you told me about the clinic, I’ve thought about nothing else. You transformed the place in a matter of weeks and I am so pleased, but part of me felt sad, like I didn’t want to leave Dubai. The sun, sea, the laid-back lifestyle. But then it hit me: you lot don’t actually need me at all. You guys have done it all on your own.’

‘What? But I do need you, Raj, I honestly do,’ I replied quickly.

The line fell silent for a second as we all took in the blow.

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