Page 102 of What Happens in Dubai

‘Are you bammin’ us up? For how long?’ Ashley asked. ‘Like, are we getting a holiday out of this?’

‘Indefinitely,’ he said. ‘You know I’ve been so miserable and stressed lately, with you lot and with my family too, and they don’t deserve it. I spoke to my wife last night and they are moving out this week. It’s a done deal, and of course you lot are welcome to visit anytime. Just, erm, no footballers this time, Ash,’ he giggled.

Suddenly my breathing ceased. This couldn’t be happening. He was my rock, my mentor, my friend.

‘And you’re certain about it, Raj?’ Tom spoke up, taking over for me.

Raj laughed. ‘I’ve never been more certain of anything, mate.’

Ashley was furiously batting her long false lashes, not wanting them to get wet with tears.

‘But what about this place? We’ve just got it off the ground. I want you to see it all,’ I whimpered.

‘No,yougot it off the ground, Zara. If you’d listened to me, we’d never have made that move.’

I shook my head in disbelief. I couldn’t imagine doing this without Raj.

‘I want you to run it. Look what you’ve done already. I can fund all of your crazy expansion ideas but as far as I’m concerned, you’ve earned the clinic. I’m tied into a contract with Juju for the products, but I’ve asked them to change all the managerial paperwork to your name. They’re dealing with the admin just now, and they’ve offered me a permanent position over here.’

I was speechless. My eyes were leaping out of my head, and I could feel Tom’s and Ashley’s arms clinging onto me.

‘Zara?’ Raj said after a few moments when I hadn’t said anything.

‘What? What are you talking about? I don’t know what to say,’ I answered.

‘Say yes!’

‘Of course, yes. But I want you to be here. I don’t want you to leave me. I need you here!’

Raj looked on sympathetically. ‘I’m only a phone call away, or a flight! But you have Tom, and you seem to be a great team. He’ll be a fab right-hand man, Zara.’

‘Of course he will,’ I said, bowing my head to the floor. ‘That’s not the point though.’

‘I’d love to stay!’ Tom cut in. He looked ecstatic at the opportunity Raj was giving him. ‘I could cut to some locum work in the hospital and spend most of my time here. Jesus, though, Raj, are you sure? It’s a massive move.’

‘I’ll miss you all, but I’m sure.’ Raj wiped away his tears while I watched on with a heavy heart.

‘When you’re settled, send us dates when we can all visit,’ I mumbled, my voice still shaky.

‘Absolutely!’ he replied with the most glistening smile. ‘I can’t wait to read all about your new clinic, Zara. I believed in you the moment I met you.’

I nodded back humbly. ‘I know you did, boss.’

The call lasted a bit longer, with us talking excitedly about the next steps for the clinic and how life would be for Raj out in Dubai, but I couldn’t take anything in. Individualise was going to be run byme. I would be the boss of the most current aesthetics clinic in Glasgow. My body quivered from the rush of it all.

When we hung up the call with Raj, Tom and I sat in stunned silence, while Ashley couldn’t stop babbling.

‘This is like the best day ever! I’m back with Dave. Zara’s got a business! Tom, it’s your turn next!’

‘I had everything I wanted when I opened my eyes, Ash. I’m a very fortunate man,’ he said.

I glanced towards him, feeling slightly uncomfortable, having still not confessed to Ashley about the previous night.

The celebrating was short-lived as clients arrived, and in between appointments I was swamped with phone calls from Juju, finalising authorising signatures on the account.

That evening Ashley headed out on another date with Dave, and I waited on Tom finishing off his last client before locking up.

I observed him lead her to the front door, complimenting her every which way.What does that man have over us women?I wondered.

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