Laura Ziepe - Essex Girls

Jade closed the front door behind her quietly and ran to her car. She thanked her lucky stars she’d hadn’t bumped into Tom’s mum on the way out, as she would probably want to chat for ages and ask her where she was going. It was clear that his mum never thought she was good enough, so the last thing Jade needed was to run into her. Jade had had to bite her tongue on more than one occasion, especially when she commented that perhaps Jade should consider a cookery class so she could feed her son ‘decent’ meals, after she’d cooked Tom a Marks and Spencer meal deal one evening. What was wrong with a meal deal? It wasn’t as though she’d cooked him a Pot Noodle or something! Jade started the ignition, her mind working overtime, wondering what she could do to get her revenge.

When she walked through the front door to her flat she noticed a leaflet on the welcome mat about a Sleeping Beauty theatre performance that evening at the university. I wonder if his little bit on the side is performing? Jade wondered as she eyed the cast list avidly. As soon as she saw the name ‘Louisa Dalton’ written as the main part of Sleeping Beauty the idea came to her. If it worked, it was the perfect way to show Tom up. The perfect way to show him that, actually, she was in control. Jade couldn’t wait.

*

Tom pulled into his drive and suddenly realised how hungry he was. His mum would be up by now and he couldn’t wait to eat one of the legendary bacon and cheese baguettes that she made every Saturday. He would miss his mum spoiling him when he left home. Jade had already said outright that she would not be waiting on him hand and foot, especially when they were both working. Women and their bloody equal rights these days, Tom thought, infuriated. Maybe he’d suggest that she paid for meals out equally too, see how she liked that!

He was the only one still living at home, as his older brother had moved out a long time ago, and his mum loved nothing more than to fuss over him. He certainly wasn’t complaining. Jade often told him he should help his mum out more and that she shouldn’t be still ironing his clothes, but she liked doing it and besides, what did Jade know? It made his mum happy to be there for him, it made her feel needed. He didn’t have a clue how to iron and if he was honest, he didn’t want to know how to either. As far as he was concerned it was a woman’s job.

He walked through his front door and the smell of bacon came wafting towards him, much to his delight.

‘Morning Tom,’ his mum said, handing him a baguette wrapped in a napkin.

‘Morning Mum.’ He took a huge, hungry bite.

‘Think I heard Jade leave earlier. She didn’t say goodbye though.’

Tom could see she was offended. ‘I wouldn’t take it personally, Mum. She was in a rush as her dopey Essex friend is upset about something and has just turned up to see her.’

‘Still, she could have at least called out that she was leaving to me. So what are you doing today then?’

‘I’m not sure yet. About to make plans,’ he said, as he walked out the kitchen, chewing a delicious mouthful of bacon. He was humming as he kicked his shoes off and made his way upstairs. His mum was very particular about not wearing shoes on her cream carpets. She was extremely house-proud, exactly how women should be, he thought fondly. Tom sat on the bed, annoyed that Jade hadn’t even bothered to make it for once, which was unlike her. Too worried about meeting up with that bimbo, he thought. He reached into his drawer and searched for his phone, hidden under a few large notepads. He switched it on and wasn’t surprised to see a text message sent a few minutes earlier from Louisa. God, she was keen, he thought arrogantly.

What are you up to tonight? Want to fulfill a fantasy of mine?

This was more like it, Tom thought as he read the message. Maybe Jade had done him a favour blowing him out in the end. A night of fulfilling fantasies had to be better than a picnic and perhaps the dull cinema later on, surely? He texted back, wondering what Louisa had in mind.

Sounds good to me. What time and where shall we meet?

Hopefully it was a threesome and she had another hot friend; that would be the best night ever! How his friends would be jealous if he told them that was how he’d spent his Saturday night. A text pinged back almost straight away.

Meet me at the university theatre at six tonight. It’ll be empty, I’ve checked and the doors are always open. I’ve always wanted to do it on the stage. Every time I see it, I picture us together on it. Take all your clothes off and wait for me. It’ll be dark in there and I’ll meet you. Promise I won’t b e late xx

Was she being serious? The university theatre? What if somebody saw them? Then again, who would be at the university theatre on a Saturday night? The whole campus was usually dead at weekends because people went home, and she did say she was sure it was empty. Plus, who cared if a cleaner or caretaker got a cheeky glimpse? Knowing someone could be watching them might even even be a turn on. If there were loads of people around he would just meet her outside and tell her they had to go somewhere else; maybe they could do it in his car in the car park? His phone beeped again.

I hope you’re not going to be a chicken? Come on, I want to get dirty with you on the stage …

He sighed. How could he refuse that? He’d look like a complete loser if he turned her down. Maybe she wanted to boast to all her theatre friends that she’d done it on the stage with him; she was obviously up for it so why shouldn’t he be? The worst thing that could happen was that someone would see them and it might get back to Jade, but that was a risk he was willing to take – the thought of doing it somewhere different was just too much of a thrill to turn down. Louisa might not be the love of his life, but she sure as hell could be fun at times. She wasn’t even asking to be taken out for dinner beforehand like she normally did, so it seemed that finally she was getting the picture it was only ever going to be just sex between them.

Okay, you’re on. Wear that sexy black underwear set I love. See you at six then xx

Jade felt sick when she read his reply, hands shaking with adrenaline and anger. Her sexy black underwear? Did she ever actually know Tom at all? Right now, it didn’t seem like it. He’d been with her last night in his bed and now he was happily meeting up with some slag offering herself on a plate to him! It had been so easy getting him to meet too; he didn’t seem to hesitate for a moment. At least her plan was working, she told herself, looking for the handcuffs he’d bought her last Valentine’s day and placing them in her bag. The fact that he’d agreed to meet Louisa without a second thought made Jade certain that he was about to get what he deserved.

At five thirty that evening she made her way to the university theatre. Luckily there was no one around. The performers and staff wouldn’t be there for about another hour or so, so she had plenty of time to make sure her plan ran smoothly.

The stage was already filled with props, which included a single bed for Sleeping Beauty, made from wrought iron. She tested the handcuffs, satisfied that they would go round the posts of the bed. Now all she had to do was sit in the darkened wings at the side of the stage and wait for him. She switched the lights off and waited.

Twenty minutes later she heard the door open, and Jade’s heart was thumping so loudly in her chest that she couldn’t breathe. What if it wasn’t him? What if someone had arrived early for the performance tonight? She heard the footsteps coming closer to the stage.