Page 42 of What Happens in Dubai

‘Zara, can we get room service for our last night?’

I nodded hungrily, having eyed up the chicken tikka on the menu since we arrived. Raj knocked on the door and was pleased with the change to our dining plan. He spent most of the night giving us life advice while Ashley mocked his wisdom every time he turned his back. Around ten, Ashley started to gather up her clothes to begin to pack, and Raj went back to his suite for an early night. I headed into my room feeling completely exhausted from a lazy day at the pool, and curled up into a ball, ignoring my empty suitcase on the tiled floor. I squeezed my phone out from the arse of my back pocket and sat up as soon as I noticed:one new Instagram message from Andy. When I saw his name, my sleepy head woke up in an instant, and I frantically clicked the message received an hour earlier.

Safe flight home tomorrow. Hope Dubai was fun ?? I got sent the proofs from the shoot and it looks amazing! Everyone at Juju loves the content. Nice one! A

Again I wondered, was he being friendly, professional or flirty? I had no idea, but I knew I wanted to reply immediately.

Awww, you will need to send me the proofs! Was a shocker to be part of the shoot! Dubai is insane but weirdly missing Glasgow! See you when I’m back, and thanks again for this opportunity! x

My eyes remained fixed to my screen for the next few minutes, wishing for a reply. I could see Andy was active, and my heart sank, wondering if he was messaging someone else.Finally, seven long minutes later, he read the message. I waited for him to start typing but he simply liked it. No reply, no conversational starter. I flopped onto my back. Yep, it’s professional.

I woke the next morning to my alarm ringing loudly from the pillow beside me. As I turned to switch it off, I immediately thought about Andy and leaped to check my messages. Nothing.

I went through to the lounge and found Ashley already dressed with her suitcase propped against the door.

‘Morning,’ she muttered as she tidied up the living area.

I yawned. ‘God, you’re organised.’

‘I know, I couldn’t sleep. I’m just excited about seeing Dave, I think.’

I smiled over to her, while she pretended everything was OK.

‘Yeah, he’ll be dying to see you too!’ I responded.

‘You better get organised, Zara. Raj is meeting us in the lobby in forty minutes. C’mon!’ Ashley ordered, and I turned back, plodding through to my bedroom to get packed up.

I threw the combination of wet and dry clothes in the case, shoved a plait in my sticky pool hair, and forty minutes later, the three of us had checked out and were headed back to the airport.

I’d had such high hopes for a fun-packed holiday, but in the end the only part that went to plan was the job itself. From blow jobs on the beach, to unexpected collisions with an ex, fall-outs and fall-ins – Dubai really tested us all. As we boarded the flight, I couldn’t help but feel awful for Ashley, who remained painfully silent, riddled with guilt as she trailed behind me, with Raj dragging her case. Raj seemed more at ease strolling in front; he knew the photoshoot had gone well, and he looked less tense on the journey home. Juju planned to release the images as part of their summer campaign, and as much as I couldn’t wait to see me starring on a billboard, part of me feared Individualise wouldn’t last till the summer. We couldn’t afford to lose any more clients in the meantime, and heading back home, we all knew we had our work cut out to keep the company afloat till then.

Raj spotted our row, and we noticed a young woman was sitting in the third seat.

‘Check your tickets! We must be split up,’ Raj sighed.

Ashley’s head darted up from the ground. ‘29D. What are you guys?’ She was panicking.

I scanned over my ticket.

‘29C,’ I replied.

‘29B for me, kid,’ Raj said.

‘Sorry, Ash, we’re in this row.’ I shrugged. ‘But you’re only across the aisle.’

Her eyes filled up with dread.

‘What if it’s the Celtic player?’ she hissed.

‘I’m sure he’ll be flying first class! And, what if it’s Tom?’ I retaliated.

Ashley’s voice got higher as she mocked me, ‘I’m sure he’ll be flying first class too!’

‘He is, and he leaves tomorrow. It’s a Tom-free zone!’ Raj added.

‘Zara, please, I don’t want to sit by myself!’ She huffed. ‘Raj?’

‘Don’t look at me. I’m not a Nigel for no one,’ he giggled and sat down firmly in his allocated seat.

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