MADE IN ESSEX. Laura Ziepe

blonde hair was easily recognisable, even from a distance. She was wearing leather trousers with a baggy snakeskin blouse and gigantic black sunglasses, despite it being cloudy. It was always weird seeing Nicola wear normal clothes; working for a television company they didn’t have to wear suits, but had to dress fairly smart still. It also never ceased to amaze Lisa how professional Nicola was at work; she changed her voice so much that her Essex accent was almost undetectable, and she was completely serious and hard working. It was as though as soon as she left the office she could relax and be her true self. Lisa was meeting her in Chigwell to view their new flat and was really excited to see her room, which Nicola had told her she’d love. Nicola had been overjoyed when she’d told her she wanted to move in and they’d spent most of their day at work looking at the Zara Home website, deciding on what bedding they were going to buy and getting ideas about how Nicola should decorate. Then they’d discovered Kylie Minogue bedding and had fallen in love. Lisa had already bought two Kylie bedding sets; one stunning gold with diamanté cushions to match and a gorgeous white set with lace trim and a beautiful throw. It had cost a fortune, but it would look great, Lisa consoled herself.

      ‘Morning, honey!’ Nicola grinned as she reached her.

      ‘Hi,’ Lisa smiled, ‘nice shades.’

      ‘Thanks. I know it’s not sunny but they’re my new Tom Fords and I wanted to wear them. Ahhh, you brought Cupcake! Her little pink top is so cute!’ she flapped. ‘Oh, it has diamonds on it, how amazing?’

      Lisa let Nicola stroke her dog, who she was carrying in her arms. She had to wait until she’d had all her jabs at the vet’s before she could let her down and walk her.

      ‘She’s got a whole wardrobe of outfits,’ Lisa laughed. ‘You really don’t mind me moving the dog in?’

      ‘Babe, are you kidding? She’s so cute. How could I not want her in our flat?’

      ‘I suppose so,’ Lisa said, following Nicola through the gates to the building. There was a big sign saying ‘Manor Hall’ on the side of the wall. Not only did the building look lovely from the outside, but even the stairway, walls and carpet looked fresh and clean. So far, so good, Lisa thought happily.

      They walked to the first floor and Nicola stopped outside number ten.

      ‘Here we are,’ she sang, ‘home sweet home.’

      The front door swung open and Lisa stood there, amazed. It was beautiful!

      ‘Wow. I love it!’

      ‘It’s got underfloor heating and state-of-the-art surround sound and everything!’ Nicola said enthusiastically. ‘How lucky are we to be living in this place? I can’t believe this is my flat!’

      ‘Show me my room!’ Lisa said, putting Cupcake down, who sprinted up and down the floor, relishing her freedom.

      Lisa was delighted when she was taken through to a gorgeous room, which even had its own en-suite bathroom.

      ‘Do you like it, babe?’

      ‘I absolutely love it!’ Lisa said as she took everything in. ‘We are going to have so much fun being single here!’

      ‘I know,’ Nicola agreed. Her eyes darkened. ‘Do you like being single? I mean, you’re happy aren’t you?’

      Lisa sat down on the bed, wondering why she was asking her. She thought for a moment. ‘Yes, I love it at the minute. It’s nice not having to worry about anyone else.’

      Nicola sat down next to her and became a bit serious all of a sudden. ‘I have to tell you something.’

      Lisa felt anxious and fiddled with her bracelet. ‘What’s up?’

      ‘What did you say the name of your ex-boyfriend was?’

      ‘Jake. Jake Sutcliffe, why?’

      Nicola nodded as though she was expecting to hear that. ‘I thought that was him. I got my nails done today before I came here and my nail technician, Katy, she was going on about her new boyfriend and how he proposed to her last weekend.’

      Lisa had a feeling where this was going. ‘Yeah, go on.’

      ‘Well, when I asked about him, she said he was a carpenter and he was from round here. So I asked his name,’ she looked up at Lisa’s face, unsure whether to continue, ‘and she told me it was Jake Sutcliffe.’

      Lisa froze. She could hear her heart beating so loud it sounded like someone was banging drums ferociously. Her head felt hot, like it was going to burst.

      ‘Are you okay, honey?’ Nicola asked, worried. ‘Oh, babe, please don’t get upset. I didn’t want to tell you, but thought it was better coming from me than someone else!’

      Lisa couldn’t speak. She never thought she’d feel this way. She knew Jake hadn’t been the right man for her and she knew her cheating on him was a cry for help, but now he was gone for good. She could never get him back, even if she wanted. He had moved on; he was marrying someone else. How could he have moved on with someone else so quickly? How could he be engaged again?

      ‘Lisa?’

      Lisa shook herself and looked up at Nicola. ‘Sorry. I was in a world of my own. I’m okay. Thanks for telling me. It just feels so weird! I can’t believe Jake is marrying someone else. He didn’t waste any time did he? We’ve only been split up for eight months and he is already engaged again!’

      Nicola shrugged, her brow wrinkling. ‘Maybe it’s just a rebound?’

      ‘No, Jake would never propose on a rebound. He is far too sensible for that. He just loves being in relationships and he’s obviously met someone else he truly loves already. I’m happy for him, really I am. But, I just feel so shocked. I always assumed it would take him ages to get over our relationship, like it’s taking me. Yes, I’m happy and I like being single, but I’m still not one hundred per cent over him. I’ve been with him since I was sixteen! I still have days when I feel a bit lonely and question whether I did the right thing!’

      Nicola cocked her head to one side thoughtfully. ‘That’s understandable. You know you did the right thing, don’t you?’

      ‘Yes,’ Lisa said, ‘I know I wouldn’t have been happy to stay with him forever and that wouldn’t be fair on me or him. I always knew he’d meet someone else and I thought I’d feel fine about it, but I’m so shocked. The thought of him being with someone else just seems so strange. This time last year, he was with me and we were happy. Well, I thought I was, anyway. He’s moved on so quickly and is settled again. Then there’s me going on loads of dates and just being the fussiest person in the world.’

      ‘We’re too young to meet Mr Right,’ Nicola said.

      Lisa thought for a moment. ‘You’re right. Let’s just have fun meeting Mr Wrongs!’

      ‘That’s the spirit,’ Nicola said getting up, ‘now come with me to the kitchen.’

      Lisa followed as Nicola pulled out a bottle of Moët from the fridge and got two glasses out of one of the cupboards. She squealed as she pulled the cork out and it made a loud popping sound.

      ‘Scares me every time it does that, honey!’ she explained, her hand on her chest. She filled their glasses. ‘A toast. To being single, having fun and to not being engaged at twenty-two!’

      ‘I’ll cheers to that,’ Lisa smiled. ‘Also, to having the most fun ever in our new flat. Cheers!’

      ‘Cheers,’ Nicola grinned, taking a sip of the bubbly liquid.

      They both jumped when they heard dogs barking.

      Lisa put her glass on the glass table. ‘Oh my God, Cupcake!’

      ‘Oh shit,’ Nicola muttered under her breath, worrying when they saw the flat door ajar.

      Luckily the dog sounded close by, and Lisa sighed in relief when they opened the