Page 72 of What Happens in Dubai

Ashley was straightening her hair, not paying any attention to what I was saying.

‘Ash?’ I moaned, needy for support.

‘What? It’s Raj. You have to come. Have a glass of wine and settle, petal.’ She rolled her eyes in the mirror, and I trudged through to the kitchen. Ashley hadn’t been out since splitting from Dave and it was the first time I’d seen her excited about anything since then.

But I knew she was right – I couldn’t let Raj down. I opened the fridge to retrieve a chilled bottle of Prosecco a client had gifted me for the move, tore the packaging around the cork, and poured it into a mug sitting on the worktop.Mmmm, that’s better.Next, I commenced my make-up and fake eyelash rigmarole, while having an occasional sip of the bubbles and playing through through possible scenarios in my mind.

‘So, Zara, why did you change your mind about the job?’

‘Well, I just love Glasgow that much, and the idea of working in that heat put me off!’

No, too apparent that’s a lie,I thought. I tried again:

‘Awk, I just thought I’d miss my friends too much!’

I chuckled out loud at that one. Everyone knew I only had one friend.

‘Well, because my boyfriend was a liar and a cheat, and after I found out he was secretly living a double life, I didn’t fancy being in the same country as the cunt.’

I took another long swig of Prosecco, considering that last one.Accurate but perhaps an overshare?I thought.

‘Are you almost ready?’ Ashley yelled out to me still standing in the kitchen.

I quickly let down my topknot of straggly hair and ran my fingers through to loosen it up.

‘Just need an outfit – hair and make-up done!’ I said as I went into the bedroom.

Ashley’s skin was like porcelain with the layers of product she carefully applied, while I could still see a few of my chickenpox scars breaking through the cheap Rimmel foundation I used.

‘Did you brush your hair?’ she asked, giving me a look. Her own poker-straight blonde extensions rested like silk down her shoulders.

I grinned. ‘I’m going for the cool, indie, “I woke up like this” vibe!’

Ashley burst out laughing. ‘You’re pulling it off, babe. You literally look like you just woke up!’

I glanced towards the classy tailored midi dress that hung so neatly in my wardrobe. I had it to match Cameron’s suit perfectly for ahisandhersinspired outfit. Now, I couldn’t bear to look at it without my stomach feeling it was about to fall out my arsehole, so instead I began frantically rummaging through my wardrobe for another option, finally lifting out a mini boobtube dress.

‘What do you think?’ I asked.

‘Ay, caramba! Very short! But fuck it! Wow!’

I stepped into it, tugging it past my hips and pushing it up past my boobs.

‘Well …?’ I smiled.

‘Sexy. Really,reallyhot. I can almost see last night’s kebab, but hey!’

I laughed and opened my thighs wide. ‘Last night’s kebab is probably my flaps wafting out my knickers. I’m not even lying! They seem to be getting bigger as I’m getting older, man!’ I pretended to bend over tucking them in.

We were in hysterics in my room, and for a minute it felt like the last few weeks hadn’t happened and it was just me and my best friend, happy and laughing.

Suddenly there was a knock at the door. Both Ashley and I looked at one another. I wondered why the intercom hadn’t gone off.

‘I’ll get it.’ I stumbled out of my bedroom across the living area and opened the door to a pale-faced Cameron.

‘What are you doing here?’ I gasped, feeling immediately queasy from seeing him.

‘Thought I’d return these.’ He held up the keys to my apartment and shrugged his shoulders.

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