Page 26 of What Happens in Dubai

‘I wish I could, trust me. But listen, we don’t have to talk about it just now. Wait till you’re feeling better.’ I smiled over at her.

‘Zara, I could have been arrested! And it would probably make the papers!’ She was running her fingers through her long hair extensions nervously, thinking of all the possibilities.

I nodded back.

‘Well, I would have been more embarrassed by your choice of player.’ I raised my eyebrows disapprovingly.

‘No. Stop. Was he that bad?’ she whimpered.

‘I mean, I’m not one to comment on looks, Ash, but that cunt would seriously get his money back on the ghost train. Dave is so …’

I watched her bottom lip tremble. ‘I can’t believe I’ve done this to Dave!’ She looked defeated.

I stopped myself from saying another word. I just let her cry it out. I knew she was hurting, but just being there with her was all I could contribute. We sat in silence for over half an hour, with the odd sob and sniffle being the only noise echoing throughout the suite. Just after ten, the front door chapped, and a bright-eyed Raj marched in with his beach bag stuffed to the brim with essentials.

‘Ah, good morning?’ He stopped and took a big, exaggerated sniff of our apartment.

‘Don’t, Raj. It’s too soon for a lecture,’ I said, stopping him before he went into full dad mode.

He grinned widely. ‘What? I never said a thing.’

I stood up from the floor and came over to him. ‘You’re up and ready very early. The job isn’t until three,’ I reminded him.

‘Yes, but if you checked our itinerary for today, Zara, you would see we have loungers booked in at Zero Gravity.’

He paused for me to react.

‘The most exclusive beach club in Dubai? No? OK, so, glass infinity pool, everyone stands at the edge and takes photos?’

‘Eh, I know what it is!’ I lied. I had never heard of it but didn’t want to be completely out of the loop.

‘It’s the place to be, Zara. Very Instagrammable,’ Ashley called out from the toilet pan.

‘And it’s only a few minutes away from the hotel we’re working in this afternoon, so pack your things for the entire day.’ Raj flapped his hands in front of my face, shooing me to get a move on, keen for us to leave.

‘What about you, Ash?’ I turned to my friend, who was still retching.

‘I have a virus! You both go. Just take lots of stories for the Individualise Instagram, that’s all I’d be doing anyway.’ Ashley manoeuvred her leg and shut the bathroom door with a bang.

‘Come on then, looks like it’s just you and me, kiddo. Hurry and I’ll wait here,’ Raj said.

I hovered, unsure of what to do. I felt guilty leaving Ashley alone but I had to set up the injectables for the photoshoot anyway.

‘Give me ten minutes and I’ll get my shit together,’ I said.

He nodded and then shook his head, rethinking his decision.

‘I’ll meet you in the lobby, Zara. This place fucking stinks!’ Raj stepped out with a disgusted look on his face.

I chuckled then cracked open the balcony doors, keen to get rid of the uncleanness of the apartment too. However, as the doors widened, I was immediately engulfed by humid, fiercely hot air that would only encourage the stench. Just for a second, I missed the crisp freshness of the Scottish air, to be able to take a long deep breath in the morning and feel it coolly travel down your body. The only thing I was tasting right now was Ashley’s vomit vapour.

Back in my room, I squeezed into my swimming costume and slid into a pair of Nike sliders, throwing on a black and neon green-striped Aztec dress. I didn’t have time for a shower so ran the dry razor up my slightly stubbly legs, winching slightly. I grabbed the deodorant and applied an overgenerous amount to mask any sweaty scent, before breaking out into a coughing fit at the fumes. My hair felt dry and tuggy from the night before, and with a mound of extensive brushing, I managed to pull it back tightly into one neat French plait.Nothing worse than dealing with stray hairs when you’re trying to enjoy a swim, I thought. Before I left, I had one last check on Ashley, who was lying asleep on the bathroom floor. She had pulled a pillow off the bed and looked peaceful. I gently shut the door, leaving the ‘Do not disturb’ sign swinging on the door handle.

Raj was waiting in the lobby, slumped back on one of the grand sofas, scrolling through his phone. I walked over to him and nudged his knee with my bag.

‘You ready?’ I asked.

‘Yep, let’s go.’ He bounced up energetically. ‘Have you got everything? Your bag’s tiny!’ He stared at my small wicker beach bag, which had my essentials packed inside.

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