to it as a “bonding exercise”. Despite Tom welcoming everyone for team building at his private address, Jade knew that he’d also loved to show off. A king holding court.
Jade silently snorted at the memory of Tom’s “garden”. It had been more like a mini park. Two and a half acres of landscaped lawn with manicured flowerbeds. There had been an orchard area, a full-size tennis court and turquoise swimming pool.
Caterers had always been appointed for the event. Despite this, Deanna had constantly tried to avoid mingling with Tom’s staff, shyly excusing herself so she could help the very people contracted to make things easy for her.
Jade mentally sneered at a memory of Deanna always hiding behind a tray of champagne or nibbles, likely annoying the snooty waist-jacketed waiter who’d been doing the very same thing. What sort of woman did that? A gauche one! Deanna had clutched the tray like a riot shield, using it as a barrier between her and Tom’s staff so that she didn’t have to stop too long to make small talk.
It had never failed to amaze Jade how someone as glamorous as Tom had hooked up with a woman like Deanna. She’d had ‘awkward’ stamped all over her. Back then it had been Jade who’d effortlessly glided about, a confident smile firmly in place. Deanna might have been lady of the manor, but it was she who’d held the boss’s heart.
Later, they’d divided into teams and played rounders. Tom had insisted Deanna join in. She’d mostly missed the ball when bowled, and her weight had hampered her efforts to sprint. Jade, on the other hand, had effortlessly whacked the ball, then run like a gazelle earning point after point for her team.
Afterwards, everybody had cooled off in the pool. Jade had delighted in stripping down to her tiny bikini, while Deanna had watched from the side-lines, swathed in a dress that had resembled a tent. As Jade had executed a flashy front crawl, Deanna had looked on. She’d always let her long hair fall across her cheeks in an attempt – Jade imagined – to hide her plainness.
Jade continued to watch the woman on the other side of the shop. She couldn’t help thinking about the irony of this situation. Figures aside, now it was Jade with the long unkempt hair and wearing unflattering clothes, as if some sort of armour to hide behind.
Deanna was now taking the coat off and returning it to its hanger. Jade couldn’t see her face properly. As always, long hair was falling across one cheek. She was now moving around the rail. On the opposite side of the shop, Jade found herself mirroring Deanna’s movements. She would have to move away from this rail.
Gathering up the heavy pile of garments, she sidestepped around the rack. Out of her peripheral vision, she caught sight of Sue looking her way. Jade felt thoroughly unnerved. She decided to discreetly attempt moving to another rail.
Turning, she went slap into a pillar that was stationed in the middle of the shop floor. The impact caused her to squeak. Sue was now frowning, her mouth compressed in an ominous line. Bugger. She didn’t want to be called out on why she hadn’t yet returned all the unwanted stock to the correct racks.
Careful. Don’t wreck this job.
Jade could feel herself getting increasingly hot under the pile of garments weighing her down. She also felt like she was on the verge of having a panic attack. Maybe she should just be done with this charade and ask Deanna outright if she’d come looking for her?
Jade glanced around and realised she’d now lost sight of Deanna. Where had she gone? Had she left the shop? She edged past another rail, one eye on Sue. Pretending to cross-reference the stock in her arms against what was displayed, without warning she reversed into an ample bottom. Jade spun round, horrified.
‘D-Deanna?’ she stuttered.
Was it her? Jade wasn’t so sure now.
‘You’re close,’ said the woman, breaking into a grin. ‘It’s Diana.’
As soon as the woman smiled, Jade knew it wasn’t Tom’s wife. She immediately felt foolish. Paranoia had allowed her to get into a state over a complete stranger.
‘Do we know each other?’ asked Diana.
‘N-No,’ Jade stammered. ‘You look a bit like someone I used to know.’
‘God, poor cow,’ laughed the woman. ‘One of these days I will reinvent myself. Until then, a box of doughnuts from Krispy Kreme is calling me.’
‘Sounds nice,’ said Jade weakly, although she couldn’t think of