Chapter Thirty-Three
Ella
That Monday morning, I headed to work fresh-faced, determined and excited to see my friends so I could divulge the rest of the weekend’s gossip first-hand.
Philip had spent the entire day at mine on Sunday, and we’d got a Chinese takeaway together that evening, before having more amazing sex and a sleepover.
I walked into the office and couldn’t help smirking as I saw Zola. Katy gasped, clapping her hands as she spotted me.
‘Good weekend, gurllll?’ Zola asked, arching an eyebrow at me.
‘ Hmmm .?.?. pretty quiet!’ I joked, and we all burst out laughing.
‘So, how is it going? What’s happening now?’ Katy asked. Throughout the weekend, I had given the girls voice-note updates on Philip and me spending time together.
‘It’s good.’ I smiled, thinking of him. ‘It feels good. We spent the day and night together at mine, and .?.?.’
‘I still can’t believe you let him up to your apartment!’ Zola gasped. ‘And you’re still alive?’
I rolled my eyes. ‘Yeah, and he seems pretty tidy too. He didn’t Zoflora the worktops before bed, but he does fill the dishwasher neatly.’
‘Babe, no one Zofloras clean worktops before bed,’ Zola said. ‘That’s a you problem!’
Katy shimmied in her seat a little uncomfortably and edged forward. ‘And the sex? You had more sex, right?’
I flopped back on my chair. ‘We did, and it’s pppppfft !’ I let out a raspberry, replaying visions of Philip naked and pounding on top of me in my head.
‘I knew he would be good in bed. You can tell. He’s such a masculine man. Like a big bear or something,’ Katy said, before screwing her face up and popping her hand back down at her groin.
‘Oh, are you OK there, hun? Did we keep you and your camel toe from something?’ Zola said, scrutinising Katy up and down.
Katy huffed. ‘Stop! It’s not a camel toe.’ She shuffled more in the chair and then lowered her voice. ‘It’s my fanny.’ She pointed down. ‘I’m in pure agony!’
Zola and I shared a worried glance.
‘Agony?’ I questioned. ‘As in too-much-sex agony or something-nasty-going-on-down-there agony?’
‘Or too-much-masturbating-to-Ross-Kemp agony?’ Zola chipped in.
‘What?’ I asked. ‘Ross what ?’
‘Zola, stop!’ Katy warned her. ‘I swear to God, it’s getting worse. It feels like it’s on fire and it’s so itchy when I wear pants!’
‘You need to get that checked, Katy. Have you had a look down there?’ I asked. I was trying to stare at her face, but my eyes kept darting in between her thighs.
‘No. Can you?’ she asked.
‘Me? God, no,’ I whispered back.
‘And don’t look at me!’ Zola tutted. ‘I’ve seen enough of you, girl, to last a lifetime.’
‘Katy, why don’t you go into the bathroom and take a photo? Then you’ll be able to see what’s up. It could be a little inflammation.’
Katy looked nervous. Nevertheless, she nodded, lifted her phone and jigged cross-legged to the toilet.
‘If that girl has crabs and I’m sleeping in her bed, she’s done for!’ Zola exclaimed, and I burst out laughing.
My phone began ringing from my desk, and so I switched into professional mode as I picked it up to hear a familiar Italian accent. ‘Ella, how are things going with the Glasgow tour?’
I recognised Alexander’s distinctive voice immediately.
‘Yes, hello, Alexander.’ I nudged Zola. ‘Things are all organised for the weekend. We can’t wait!’
‘Yes, and the guest list?’ he replied.
‘The guest list is growing. I have a wide range of art moguls and influencers who can’t wait to share your paintings on their social media.’
‘Hmm .?.?. I must say I remain impressed you secured such a venue,’ he admitted.
‘And because of this, I have chosen the Glasgow exhibition to be featured in my latest documentary series. I want to capture every moment, every gesture, the whole elegant atmosphere. The production will be broadcast on the BBC next summer; they want to highlight my work to a UK audience.’
‘Wow,’ I gasped. ‘Congratulations! And yes, absolutely. It would be such an honour! And, Alexander, thank you for choosing Glasgow.’
‘But it goes without saying: no hiccups, Ella. I need everything to run smoothly.’
I gulped. ‘And I can promise it will.’
‘Good job! I’ll send the videographers and film crew your details. They’ll be in touch.’
‘Great, speak soon.’
Just then, Katy returned from the bathroom, staring at her phone.
‘What did he say, then?’ Zola asked.
‘He’s choosing the Glasgow exhibition to be the venue filmed for his BBC documentary.’ I clutched my hands tightly, unable to quite believe it. ‘It’s going to be on the telly!’
‘That’s beyond amazing!’ Zola hugged me.
‘Alexander?’ Katy asked, trying to catch up. ‘Saturday’s event is being filmed?’
I nodded happily. ‘Hell, yes. And I can’t wait to tell Andrea!’
‘How’s the noon?’ Zola grimaced, noticing Katy still looked uncomfortable.
Katy turned her phone around and flashed us her gash in the middle of the office.
‘Ouch!’ Zola covered her face.
A shiver ran through me. ‘Babe, that’s thrush!’
‘Very bad thrush,’ Zola confirmed. ‘Looks like you’re cooking up a whole loaf down there with all that yeast. It’s nasty!’
‘But it’s not crabs,’ I added, wanting everyone to see the positive.
Katy was wafting the elastic of her leggings, as if she was hoping to cause a breeze. ‘Will it be better by the weekend?’ she moaned.
‘Get to a chemist, they’ll sort you in no time.’ I winked at her. ‘I promise.’
Philip: Good morning, beautiful xxx
I smiled back at my screen, wanting to reply immediately. God, it felt good having someone message and check in on my day.
‘Oh, is that big Phil?’ Zola smiled at Katy, who was still completely distracted.
‘It is.’ I smirked.
‘Is he coming to the exhibition?’ Katy asked. ‘I can’t wait to meet him properly.’
I shook my head. ‘No, luckily, he’s in Berlin this weekend. He’s opening another hotel over there. He’s gutted he can’t come.’
Zola giggled. ‘Luckily?’
I sent my cheesy reply and sat my phone down on the desk. ‘Yes, luckily. I don’t want Andrea seeing me with him, and thinking I was sleeping with him for the venue or something. Plus, I’d have to work, you know what these things are like – I wouldn’t get a minute to chat with him.’
Katy screwed her face up. ‘Very true, Andrea would definitely get her tuppence in.’
‘He’s invited me to the hospitality awards with him next week though, so it will be our first proper outing as a couple, and I’ll have to look amazing!’
‘That I’ll be hosting!’ Katy flexed proudly; she’d managed to land Blaze Boost as their sponsors.
‘Yep, and you better get us the best seats in the house,’ I warned my friend.
‘Noted!’ Katy grinned.
‘So, when are you seeing him again?’ Zola asked.
‘Tonight.’ I was so excited at the thought of seeing his face again, knowing he’d only left me an hour before. ‘We’re going for a walk in the park after work, then we’ll head to the gym. And on Wednesday we’re going out for dinner, before he goes to Berlin on Thursday.’
‘So cute.’ Zola tutted, shaking her head. ‘I never thought I’d see the day!’
‘Trust me, you and me both!’ I smiled. ‘It’s a big weekend, girls. Alexander’s night, and the Dicktionary Club finally goes live.’
Zola nodded. ‘Fuck, yeah, we’ve actually done it!’
‘Oh, yes! We’ve pulled it off!’ Katy laughed evilly, then held her hands to us both for a high-five, but Zola and I squirmed away.
‘Hands, Katy. The scratching!’ Zola bellowed. ‘Get to the chemist right now, girl.’
We all burst out laughing, and I returned to my desktop, emailing Andrea the new camera crew additions for the exhibition and finalising the weekend’s plans. I felt excited and motivated for what lay ahead. For the first time in years, I had a whole new lease of life.