Page 84 of What Happens in Dubai

There was a knock at the door.

‘Oh, the painters!Yes!I’ll get my coat!’

Ashley ran towards the staff room to get organised for home while I let the painters in and instructed them on what to do.

‘Just post the key through the letterbox when you’re done, guys. Thank you!’ I called out, exiting the clinic with Ashley linking my arm.

It was after nine and Glasgow seemed dark and quiet. I tried to move, but my body seized immediately, thinking about Luke.

‘Can we call a taxi, Ash?’ I asked.

She smiled down at me. ‘Course, my feet are throbbing anyway.’

The taxi took us safely home, and Ashley held my hand as we made our way up the stairs to get settled.

Ping.

Andy:How did it go with the models?

I instantly smiled in response to receiving his text.

Hey! Yeah great! They all seemed to love it. We have the painters in just now too. It’s all coming together! Eek x

Ping.

Andy:It’s all down to you darlin. Can’t wait to see the décor x

Ashley and I FaceTimed Raj to check in and make sure he was surviving without us. He seemed to be less stressed and absolutely loving Dubai, but just chatting with him made me wish he was home and part of the buzz. It felt almost impossible not to be sharing our crazy few days at the clinic with our best friend but, ultimately, I just hoped the secrecy would pay off. We ended the call and headed to bed, discussing future plans for Individualise, how we could push the clinic to its full potential, delivering diverse treatments, using our expertise and promoting positive body campaigns all of the while. My mind was racing with optimism and opportunity. It felt wonderful not having a man being my last thought before bed, and there was a tiny spark twinkling in my gut, telling me that something much more exciting was just around the corner for us.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

The following morning as we walked through the clinic door, the potent smell of fresh paint caught the back of our throats. I turned the alarm off while Ashley ran for the light switches, keen to admire the new look.

‘Wow, I love it!’ she called out.

I turned to admire it all. The plain white walls had been transformed to an ivory cream colour. It was a small change, but the clinic seemed so much more homely and inviting already.

‘I love it too! What about cushions or a throw or something?’

Ashley let out a wicked laugh. ‘The accessories should arrive tonight or tomorrow.’

Tom burst through the door behind us and beamed. ‘Well, ladies, I think I’ve solved our problem. Last night, I sped out of here to meet a particularly well-known Spanish photographer named Alfredo. He’s visiting his sister in Glasgow this week, and he has use of a printing studio while he’s here. I needed to check over his work before I got too excited, but he is phenomenal. He can photograph this evening and have prints available in a day or so.’

‘Wow, Tom, that’s amazing! Can you organise the clients to model for then, Ash?’ I asked.

‘I don’t see why not! I have back-ups if I can’t.’

‘Thanks, Tom,’ I said, feeling a tad guilty about my standoffish behaviour the previous night.

‘I’m glad to help. One of the models from yesterday actually mentioned him to me and passed on his details. It was too good an opportunity to miss.’

I agreed and smiled back through gritted teeth.

So, Ebony must be the photographer’s sister. A convenient connection indeed. When had she had the great idea about her brother? Was it over dinner, or after sex? My psychotic mind began overthinking, despite this connection working in our favour, whatever it was.

‘Right, guys, we have ten minutes to push this furniture back before the clients come in!’ Ashley interrupted us, and we all set to work, carefully coordinating the clutter back into order.

That day, Tom and I performed our innovative facial balancing technique on all the clients who booked in. We listened, complimented and suggested new ways of enhancing their appearances. The day sped by. I felt a buzz returning that I hadn’t felt in a while as I added tiny, precise injections and witnessed the difference we were making. I felt as if I was empowering the women who came in, encouraging them to lean into their own uniqueness rather than encouraging them to look like someone else. I believed in the Individualise concept one hundred per cent.

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