Page 51 of What Happens in Dubai

‘Emmm …’ I paused for a second. ‘Nothing that comes to mind.’

He exploded into laughter. ‘I don’t believe that for a fucking minute!’

We continued to chat for a few more moments before he jumped into his car to head back to work. It felt so straightforward and effortless speaking to Andy. No airs or graces, no secret trips to the bathroom to google his vocabulary. Just basic Glaswegian patter, and I liked that.

After our goodbyes, I wandered round to Tesco, feeling much better about the clinic situation. I wondered if the problem was less to do with me, and more to do with our branding. Individualise seemed to cater more for the older age range of clients. Maybe the younger clientele wouldn’t pay our prices? Or perhaps the luxury clinic vibe was less appealing to the younger market? I scooped a notepad and pack of scented gel pens from the shelf directly into my shopping basket. I was determined not to let Individualise go down without a fight.

Chapter Seventeen

After two days of stalking flourishing clinics on Insta, texting a potential boyfriend in Turkey, and emotionally consoling my best friend, I returned to the clinic bright-eyed and eager to get to work. I’d spent my days off YouTubing‘How to make a business stand out’and had jotted down a few ideas about rebranding to attract a younger clientele. Raj had the weekend off, but I’d already briefed Ashley on the importance of an action-packed weekend with social media marketing and customer satisfaction being at the forefront.

Ashley had been relatively OK since splitting with Dave. She had her teary moments every so often where she would well up on the couch, but nothing compared to my pathetic, self-destructive experience last year. I was proud of how well she seemed to be coping. Although, every time her phone pinged, I could see her heart levitate out of her chest, then crash back down to the floor when she realised it wasn’t Dave. She had sent him umpteen apology messages, voicemails and even an email just in case he blocked her number, but so far, she’d heard zilch back.

As we walked to work that Friday morning, I could see the weight of the world topple on my best friend’s petite little shoulders.

‘I’m so proud of how well you’re coping, do you know that?’ I studied Ashley’s green eyes, which were watery and lifeless.

‘I don’t feel like I am coping, Zara. I feel terrible. I miss him so much, but what can I do?’ she replied, shrugging her shoulders as we crossed over the street.

‘Nothing. You’ll hear from him when he’s ready,’ I said, trying to stay positive. ‘You know, Emily’s asking if she can pop by at lunchtime, hear the Dubai chat?’

I hadn’t caught up with my sister since the holiday and had missed our weekly gossip brunch gathering.

‘Yeah, cool. Just, please don’t tell her about what happened, Zara – I don’t want to talk about it anymore. OK?’ Ashley said sternly.

‘Yeah, of course. Sure!’ I replied casually, trying to play down the event that had left her single and homeless.

In between my morning procedures, I began studying the Individualise client portfolios. I was on a mission to find out the average age of our customers and the treatments they preferred. I called a few of our regulars, finding out how they initially heard of Individualise and asked them for ideas on what they would recommend to improve our clinic. I was on a fucking roll. My hand was throbbing from writing and researching. I hadn’t done any data analysing since leaving school, but I felt invigorated and determined to turn this place around. I couldn’t wait to share my findings with Raj.

Emily popped in around half twelve, and I was pleased to see Ashley smile for the first time in days.

‘Hey, guys,’ Emily greeted us, radiating positive energy as she walked through the door laden with sandwiches and drinks.

‘Ahhhh, I’ve missed you, Em.’ I hugged my sister tightly, and Ashley followed a second behind.

‘Where’s your tan, Zara?’ she giggled as the three of us headed into the staff room to start dishing out lunch.

I smirked at my sister, who always seemed to have the better skin tone. Not to mention the better hair, teeth, hygiene and brains overall, but I did take pride in inheriting the family’s humour.

‘God, I must have left it in Dubai, along with your present. Whoops!’ I stuck my middle finger up at her before unscrewing the bottle of diet Irn Bru she’d delivered.

‘That’s cool. You can transfer me a fiver for your lunch then, eh,’ she shot back as Ashley tittered.

‘Stop! How’re things with you, Em?’ Ashley asked.

Emily huffed, unravelling a salad roll. ‘Work, gym, kids. Basic! But I want to know all about Dubai! I haven’t been since my honeymoon! Make me jealous!’ she gushed.

‘Well … erm …’ Ashley and I stared at one another. I was scared to start spilling in case I dropped something she didn’t want me too.

‘Well … Zara met a guy!’ she blurted.

‘Shut up! A guy who you’re still talking to?’ Emily looked shocked, and I couldn’t help but feel slightly offended.

‘Erm, yes, who I’m still talking to!’ I snapped back. ‘His name is Cameron, and he’s a fucking babe. Oh, and …’ I pulled my shoulders back cockily. ‘He’s a bodyguard!’

‘Noooo way!’ Emily gasped and turned to Ashley, who was nodding her head in confirmation.

‘To who? Like who does he guard?’ she demanded.

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