Essex Girls - Laura Ziepe

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high it came up right under her chin. ‘Kelly, it’s two hundred and fifty euros for this one!’

      ‘Really?’ Kelly tried to remain positive. ‘Maybe that’s just a special expensive one or something? You know, like a limited edition or something? Remember, they’ll last for years too, because they must use the most expensive material.’

      Jade glanced at the prices of the others – there wasn’t even one under one hundred and fifty euro. ‘Kelly, I’m not spending that amount. I just can’t. It’s ridiculous.’ Feeling hot, despite the air conditioning, and now embarrassed in front of the snooty store assistant at having to put all the bikinis back, Jade left the store, disappointed. ‘Let’s just go and have a nice chilled day sunbathing. It’s exactly what I need.’

      As they made their way to Plaza Beach, Jade was surprised at hearing loud music blaring out. ‘Is there a nightclub open in the day or something?’ she said looking round to see where the noise was coming from.

      Kelly stifled a giggle. ‘That’s Plaza Beach, babe, that’s where we’re going.’

      Jade was confused. She’d never been to a beach where they played music. Maybe one where there were some annoying teens with an iPod and speakers blaring out, but that’s about it. As they turned the corner, she was in shock. Men with six packs and bronzed bodies were everywhere. Girls wore make-up and looked gorgeous, slim and toned. Some were even walking around in five-inch heels and wedges. There were huge upholstered cream sunbeds with groups of about eight people on each one, lounging in the sun with huge cushions as pillows. It was unbelievable. It was like a beach version of Essex!

      ‘I never knew it was going to be like this!’ Jade said to Kelly.

      ‘I did try to explain it, babe,’ she replied, peering over the top of her Miu Miu sunglasses.

      Jade felt completely out of place. Her plain swimwear now felt even more plain and dull. This place was like battle of the bikinis! She also felt as white as Casper the friendly ghost. She eyed up Kelly, who looked tanned.

      ‘Kelly, how come you’re not as white as me? Did you put fake tan on?’

      ‘No, don’t be silly, not for holiday. I had a few sunbeds before I came out here, I got a cheap course. I had to, I was sooo white.’

      Probably the same colour as me, Jade thought, annoyed that she hadn’t considered the same thing.

      ‘Don’t worry hun, you’ll catch the sun in no time,’ Kelly smiled.

      They found two free sunbeds, which was surprising as the place was packed, and Jade relaxed as she lay down and felt the warmth of the sun on her skin. Thank God she had her vajazzle; at the moment that was the only thing making her feel like she belonged there. She was going straight back to buy one of those bikinis without a doubt, and she was waking up every day for a week at nine thirty to sunbathe, even if it meant she had to set her alarm. If only she had known Marbella was going to be like this. She would have made much more of an effort. She’d only ever been away once with her friends to Greece, and stupidly assumed it would be the same.

      Jade sat up and rested on her elbows to take a look around. She had already spotted a couple of good-looking men, although some of them were wearing sunglasses and she knew it might be a different story when they took them off. It was amazing how important the eyes were when it came to fancying someone. All in all, this place looked like it was going to be fun. Pretentious maybe, but fun.

      ‘Three o’clock, hun,’ Kelly nodded to her right at two men standing by some sunbeds, chatting.

      ‘Three o’clock?’ Jade answered, dumbfounded. ‘Surely it’s not that late already?’

      ‘No, silly,’ Kelly giggled. ‘Turn to three o’clock. Hot men.’

      Jade glanced at them. Nice bodies, yes, but not really her type. It was weird really, as she didn’t have one particular type, unlike some people, who only liked dark hair and blue eyes. Jade just knew her type when she saw him. She sat up and looked out to the sea which looked an amazing deep blue, and clear turquoise in places. A fair-haired man in red shorts was walking out of the ocean and Jade had to prevent herself from gasping. Wow, now he was her type! His hair had obviously been highlighted by the sun, and he had a mahogany tan and the most beautiful face she’d ever seen on a man. Simply gorgeous.

      ‘I think I’m in love,’ she whispered to Kelly.

      ‘What?’

      Now understanding the clock time signal, Jade muttered, ‘Twelve o’clock.’

      Kelly sat up, gazing at him secretly through the black lenses of her sunglasses. She nodded approvingly and smiled. ‘Very nice.’

      Jade watched as he walked past. His body was to die for. He definitely worked out to get abs like that! His eyes were a striking green colour. He was perfect. She was annoyed that she didn’t look better herself. He didn’t even look in her direction and she couldn’t blame him. There were so many pretty girls around!

      Her thoughts were interrupted by Adele shouting out Kelly’s name. They sat up and both crossed their legs so Adele could sit at the end of their beds.

      ‘Alright, girls?’

      ‘Good babe, you?’ Kelly asked, re-applying some sun lotion.

      Jade was amazed at how different Adele looked compared to a few hours ago. She had a lovely purple embellished bikini on, which looked very expensive, her hair was wavy and loose and she was wearing mascara. She wasn’t beautiful, and she was a bit too masculine to be pretty, but quite attractive. Jade smiled, feeling a bit shy and out of place.

      ‘Yeah good. Boiling,’ Adele said with a giggle, wiping her forehead. ‘Have either of you got a mirror?’

      Kelly handed her a compact which had a small mirror inside. Jade had to hold back from laughing as she watched Adele coat her lips in gloss and pout at her reflection. She looked completely in love with herself. Kelly caught Jade’s eye, bit her lip and turned away, also finding it funny to watch.

      ‘Where you off to tonight?’

      ‘Where’s good to go?’ Jade asked.

      ‘Think everyone is starting at Sinatra’s bar tonight, so go there first. Luckily I have a night off before I start work again.’

      They chatted for a while and Jade decided that Adele seemed really nice, which was good as they were going to be working alongside her. She offered them both a cigarette and they declined, as she lit her own.

      ‘You both single?’ Adele asked.

      They nodded.

      ‘There are loads of nice blokes this season. I’ve just started seeing this guy called Lee, from Glam nightclub,’ Adele said. ‘I really like him, met him when I first got here last month.’

      ‘Ah that’s good,’ Kelly said. ‘I well wanna meet some nice new guy while I’m here. I’ve been single for ages.’

      Adele took a drag from her cigarette, exhaled and said, ‘You seen anyone you fancy yet?’

      ‘Nearly everyone here!’ Kelly giggled. Then she looked over at Jade. ‘She’s already in love, this one.’

      Jade felt embarrassed. Thanks a lot, Kelly, she thought.

      ‘Come on, spill the beans. Who do you like? You’ve only just got here,’ Adele laughed, flicking the ash from the end of her cigarette. ‘You two are worse than me.’

      ‘I don’t like him, I don’t even know him. I only just saw him for one second!’ Jade protested.

      ‘Don’t be shy, babe, show her who you fancy,’ Kelly giggled looking round to see if she could spot him again.

      Jade hesitated, feeling as though she was in a school playground discussing her first crush. ‘I just think the bloke over there,’ she looked back quickly to check where

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