Chapter two

Naomi

"Uhh...Sorry Naoms..." Effy said, unusually for her out of smart responses.

"I honestly didn't see that on the drive in to the airport. I meant to tell you about Emily's new celeb status. Katie used her contacts inside the fashion business to get Emily's portfolio in front of a couple of agencies agency. She's done quite a few of these jobs lately"

"Nice to see she's doing well" I said sourly "I suppose the 'new girlfriend' is a celeb too?"

"Not exactly" Effy said "A bit of a bitch by all accounts, but more of a 'star fucker' than famous in her own right. I think she set her sights on Emily at some launch party...and well, the rest is history"

"Bit like me then...history?" I muttered bitterly " Naomi gets fucked over yet again"

"Listen babe..." Effy said, turning the car radio right down, and flicking a worried glance at me " I know this isn't the best time for you. But Jenny and I really wanted you to be here. You're my best mate.…

She waited for me to favour that title with a curt nod.

...Katie and Emily wouldn't even be coming to the wedding if I was in charge of the invites...but Jenny wants Katie there...and, well, where Katie goes...Emily follows...nothing has changed that much hun"

"Is that supposed to make me feel better Eff?" I said quietly " I have to face a radiant, newly successful Emily, at MY best friends wedding, complete no doubt with an equally beautiful girlfriend, on my fucking own, looking like the no friends loser I am...on her turf. Tell me again how great this day's gonna be?"

Effy looked at me quickly, before turning back to the road, and speaking.

"Ummm..." she started "Not just the wedding babes... I might have forgotten to mention the hen night tomorrow...we're all meeting up in a new bar in town, before going to a club. VIP section and stuff...Katie sort of arranged it as a surprise for me and Jen"

I could feel cold rage bubbling up inside me, but swallowed it. The long flight and jet lag were kicking in big time, and I doubted I had the energy for an all out fight with Effy right now. I would just have to suffer the next few days, and then use the rest of my month here to do some exploring...anywhere BUT where Emily Fitch was residing. Maybe I could fly over to Melbourne and look up some friends from school who'd emigrated here a few years ago. Jenny and Eff would be on honeymoon by then, so it wouldn't matter to them...

"Naoms?" Effy said anxiously, and I realised I had been daydreaming whilst she was talking.

"What?" I said, irritably.

"Sorry, hun...you were miles away...I was saying that you won't be going to the party...or the wedding alone. Jenny has this Polish friend...Edita...she's a really hot blonde, beautiful, single...and totally gay...and she's seen your pictures...and wants to meet you, like big time"

"So I'm being farmed out to the local spare dykes now, is that it...?" I spat.." Why not go the whole hog and hire out an escort girl...I hear they charge by the hour...much cheaper in the long run, Elizabeth"

"Hey?" Effy said in a hurt tone "I can't do anything about Emily's new celebrity status, or her choice of girlfriend...but I was trying to help here babe. Think about it...turning up with a hot blonde yourself will make you look like you've moved on too and are proper sorted for a new girlfriend? I don't think the alternative of you brooding in the corner all night, sending daggers Emily's way is much of an improvement, is it?"

I hated the fact that she was right...but she was. Turning up at all was going to be painful. The poster we'd just passed may have been airbrushed and photo shopped to fuck, but Emily was always a traffic stopper, even when she was in her tragic goth whore phase. Being there on my own would be way more humiliating. Like she had got on with living, and I had turned into Miss fucking Havisham or something. Anyway, this Edita might be as hot as Effy had described. It had been 5 months since I had been intimate with a woman, and that was only a frantic finger fuck against a wall behind a Grafton Street bar. Maybe this Polish hottie could scratch my itch, and even smother the ache I still had in my heart over Miss Fitch?

I blew out a puff of frustrated air, and held my hands up in front of me in mock surrender.

"OK...OK..." I said " You're right...as fucking usual, Stonem...Turning up with a hot blonde on my arm wont be quite as tragic as sidling in like billy no mates. Is this Edita... up... for it, then?"

"Depends what you mean by 'it' Campbell" Effy chuckled dirtily "If you mean is she up for some naked after party fun with our favourite pasty Pom...I'd say you have a better than even chance...so I've heard, of course..." She held up her engagement ring finger and waggled it " I'm apparently off limits to stray Polish vamps these days". Her throaty giggle was infectious. "But thats as long as you don't spend all evening sending filthy looks to your ex...bit of a passion killer for Edita that, babes"

I nodded. "I get it Eff..no visual daggers. I'll do my best to be polite and civil? But I ain't making any promises if I get my nose rubbed in it...by either Fitch"

"Point taken" Effy said " So lets get you back to Craigie. You can have a shower and something to eat, then sleep off that jet lag and we'll go shopping tomorrow in the mall for a party frock? Something tells me you need to dress to impress tomorrow. And I know your wardrobe of old. You're such a fucking boy Campbell"

I rolled my eyes at that. But she was right...again. The rest of the drive was made in comfortable silence. Happily, there were no more 20 foot Emily shaped posters by the road to worsen my mood.

XXX

Well, Edita was every bit as sexy as Effy had described. As tall as me, with long natural blonde hair, big blue eyes and a killer body, she looked like she'd stepped off the cover of one of Katie's magazines. I raised a curious eyebrow at Effy when we were introduced. I got the fact that this girl was gay and beautiful. But available? Back in the UK, she would be besieged by desperate dykes at every outing. How come she was sitting in Effy's lounge, waiting to meet some pale, jilted English nobody?

I got answers later, but I suppose for that moment I was relieved that she only had one head and both eyes. Some of my blind dates from the past were a bit less...conventional.

She spoke English with a mixture of Polish and Australian accents, which was very cute, and I found that after a few minutes, I was relaxing. Eff and Jenny were serving cold drinks and trying to gloss over the fact that Edita and I were total strangers. All in all, I suppose it could have gone worse, for a first meeting. But I was pretty knackered after the flight from hell, so we wrapped up the impromptu meet and greet early. I felt a bit better about the whole thing, and yawned a lot...the hint worked.

Edita left, promising to be back the next day at 7. I was going shopping with Effy and Jen in the afternoon, for that cocktail dress, and then we were meeting back at their house for pre party drinks. When she left, she gave me an unexpected hug. I caught her scent, which was obviously expensive and it was nice to feel a fit woman's body pressed up against mine. It had been way too fucking long. Izzy and I had only lasted a week after Emily had flown home. Actually, I'm surprised it lasted that long. I was worse than useless to her. A crying, miserable wreck, devastated beyond repair..at least by anyone but Emily Fitch. It wasn't fair on anyone. We slept together once more...but its probably a bit off putting when your partner is biting her lip, trying not to call out another woman's name when you're trying your best to make her come...and then, if you eventually do...she cries like a baby for her lost love for minutes afterwards. No, it had to end.

So squeezing another very attractive woman's body, while she kisses your cheek, wasn't the worst experience I'd had on Aussie soil.

I slept for 10 hours straight in the guest room, and woke up ridiculously early. Of course, being summer there, it was bright and hot already. I pulled on a fresh tee then walked out into the kitchen helping myself to a glass of fresh orange juice from the huge American style Smeg fridge. I opened the veranda windows wide and walked out into the sprawling back garden. It was framed by mature trees and shrubs...and set back from the only other neighbours house. I took one look at the clear blue water of the sunken swimming pool and said to myself...why not?

Only Jenny and Effy were at home, and as it was only 6am, I didn't think they'd be up for hours.

So I put my half full glass of cold juice down on the tiled surround and pulled my tee over my head. I don't wear knickers in bed...something else I picked up from Emily...her...and so the hot morning sun bathed my naked body in warmth immediately. There isn't much call for skinny dipping in Ireland...its usually too cold, and when its not...its fucking raining... so this was a treat I wasn't going to deny myself. I dipped a cautious toe in the water. Too many freezing dips in English pools had taught me that. But even at this time of the morning, it was plenty warm enough. I plunged in head first, surfacing quickly and feeling the gentle breeze ruffle my wet hair as I breast stroked up and down the pool. This was something I did well, swimming. Even when I had been at my lowest, when Emily had been playing the whore of Babylon back in Bristol, I had kept up my daily swimming. It compensated for all those lost nights and the excess medicinal vodka, and it kept my body toned and fit. I might have been paler than the average Aussie at that moment, but I have a good body, and I didn't have any worries about anyone seeing me naked. Except of course, I wasn't planning on that just yet.

Which was where it all went sideways. After almost an hour of crawl, breaststroke and backstroke up and down the length of the pool, my muscles singing and my head now clear of dark thoughts, I pulled myself out in one move and picked up the brightly coloured beach towel from the lounger. As the water streamed off my body in rivulets, I towelled my face and hair vigorously. The sun was getting hotter by the minute, and as I dropped the towel from my face...I froze.

Standing by the back of the garage...having obviously come round the side of the bungalow... were two horribly familiar figures. The towel dropped from my nerveless fingers and I stared at them, temporarily paralysed.

Katie and Emily Fitch...?

Now shock can do several things to you, and my initial paralysis was one of them. I'm not normally an exhibitionist, and I could probably count on the fingers of one hand the number of women who have seen me naked since I grew up...Unfortunately, one of them was standing in front of me...but anyway, like I said, shock does funny things to you.

My initial instinct was to dive for the lounger and crouch behind it. But a certain sly inner voice was nagging me not to. I'm not vain, and I'm no supermodel...but I have a fucking good body nowadays and something told me not to hide it today. There was no way I wanted to be humiliated any more by my ex...and this was about the perfect opportunity to show it.

So I straightened up, stood proud and stared them down. I was in my friends backyard, in her pool. Why did I need to apologize? I got two very distinct reactions. Both twins eyes were locked on my nude body (thank God I'd waxed before I left the UK...)

Katies initial look of horror was replaced by a narrow professional stare. I knew she would be assessing my curves with the dispassionate eye of a heterosexual fashion editor. Emily however...(who, of course, had a more than passing acquaintance with my more intimate...bits) was flat out perving. There wasn't much she hadn't seen, or played with many times in the past...but she looked ready for an instant replay, twin sister present or not. My tits were pretty obviously still her favourite part of me...

My heart was banging in my chest, and I wanted nothing more than to grab the towel and run for it. But fuck it...I wanted to show Emily that I hadn't just faded away. Whilst my nerve held out of course.

Finally I spoke to relieve the growing tension.

"Well...this isn't QUITE the way I expected to bump into you both...but one of us should break the ice... huh?"

"Way to make a fucking entrance, Campbell" Katie said finally, at last looking away from my torso and up at my eyes. "We just called in on the way to Emily's shoot, to check the time we're meeting tonight. By the way...and this is meant professionally, not personally bitch, you're looking pretty good these days...for a pasty Pom, anyway...working out?"

"Why thank you Katie" I smirked, with more confidence than I actually felt "Life didn't come to an end when the Fitch twins left soggy England...and yes to that question...no point in letting the merchandise go to waste is there?"

Emily was still staring. I noticed her pupils had expanded hugely, despite the bright sunlight.

"Hi Naomi" she finally said, in that deep brown voice that used to make my nipples crinkle...well it still did...and I was uncomfortably aware that her eyes had done several tours of my body already, and she didn't look like stopping anytime soon.

"Hi Emily" I said quietly "Well, if you've both dribbled enough over my arse...maybe I could get dressed...anyone for coffee?"

They both shook their heads quickly. But it was Emily who spoke first.

"Err...no thanks all the same. We're late already. I guess we'll see you tonight...at the bar?...I'll just text Effy later, if thats OK?"

I picked up the towel, and finally hid the Campbell jewels from the appreciative audience. Just before they disappeared down the side of the building, Katie turned and gave me a tight smile

" I take it you'll be wearing a bit more tonight Campbell...?"

"That I can't promise Katie..." I smirked. "Depends on what my date thinks of my outfit"

I saw Emily's shoulders tense at that, and she shot me a strange look as they left.

Just as they disappeared out of sight, I heard the unmistakeable sound of a Katie stage whisper

"I told you this was a fucking bad idea Ems...Jesus...you and that blonde bitch? Like fucking magnets...I give up"

I swallowed hard as the Fitch twins finally disappeared and then I turned to walk indoors. Inevitably, there was a slim dark haired figure just inside the billowing insect curtain. Effy fucking Stonem, of course. She slow hand clapped me as I walked shakily into the kitchen. My fragile bravado now totally absent.

"Fucking excellent performance, Naoms" she chuckled "It would have taken a natural born Stonem to see that you were actually shitting yourself out there...Oh...and nice body hun...someone's been working out, I see?"

"Perv" I grinned...only trembling a bit from my naked show "Think it worked?"

"I'd say so..." She grinned broadly "I think Miss E Fitch left a puddle on the patio, and she wasn't swimming. Someone still has the major hots for you. Thing is...what are you going to do about it?"

My euphoria at the little victory evaporated quickly...What WAS I gonna do about it? The physical attraction between me and my ex was still as strong as ever. If I hadn't been so preoccupied with holding myself together just then, I would probably have left a non chlorine puddle of my own. Emily's simple yellow summer dress had shown off all her petite curves a treat, and the sun kissed skin of her shoulders...and other places...had made my stomach clench more than once.

"I don't know" I admitted miserably "She's got a whole new life over here...including, apparently, a hot new girlfriend. Lusting over my naked tits is one thing...anything else is probably off the chart"

"Never say never" Effy said quietly " I think you can safely say that the younger Fitch's fascination with all things Campbell is intact. You played a blinder there, girl...Anyway...in Australia all things are possible...haven't you seen the TV ads?"

We sniggered together, and I went off to get showered and dressed.

Ten hours later, we would soon find out if I was still a Fitch magnet. After a pretty exhausting round of the boutiques in Perth, I finally managed to persuade Jenny and Effy that if I visited just be more shop, I would break down and do an impression of a four year old on the floor, complete with star shapes and amplified wailing. They gave in, and we went back to the second shop we had browsed. Luckily, the midnight blue cocktail dress I had tried on was unsold, and despite Effy's complaints that it didn't show enough tit and leg, I bought it. Another $400 Australian added to my debit card. At this rate, I'd have to go to Sydney afterwards, and audition for a part in an Abbey Winter's lesbian porno to pay my way home. I got shoes to match, and a tiny clutch bag completed the outfit. I thought the dress showed just enough cleavage and thigh to promise, but maybe not guarantee action. In any case, I think my ex had seen enough of my newly toned body today... No point in being crass about it. Tonight was supposed to be about Eff and Jen... My own sad problems were my own...

So, after a hot bath, moisturiser and an hour letting Jen have her way with my makeup, I was ready. Looking at the three of us in the full length hall mirror, just before the cab arrived, I had to admit we looked super hot. Effy was in smoky grey (quelle surprise) and Jen was wearing a split skirt and top in white, which set off her blonde hair and tanned skin beautifully. We took a couple of selfies, just for the record, and then the taxi hooted outside. Show time.

Edita was already in the taxi, dressed to kill in a tiny electric blue silk dress. Its showed off her spectacular tits and long legs a treat. If I hadn't been preoccupied with thoughts of Emily and her new girl, I would probably have jumped her there and then. She greeted me with an unexpected kiss on the lips, and a genuine "Wow" which made me feel a whole lot better about the evening in front of us.

The bar wasn't too crowded, and we ordered four Rickeys...which I hadn't had before, but it was made with gin and lime, so I wasn't complaining. After three rounds, that pleasant alcohol buzz in my stomach was being joined by a second, fizzier mood in my brain. Of course...Effy had drugs. When did she not? This time it was a cocktail of a different variety. I' m no expert, but I know it had amphetamine and MDMA in it, and probably something else...maybe that went some way to explain the shit storm later...

So another hour passed, and we carried on sampling the bars extensive cocktail menu. We got the usual amount of attention from the hoorays and local studs, but when Effy briefly snogged Jenny, Edita and then me, the roar nearly lifted the roof off. We left shortly afterwards. Some of the straight girls were shooting us unpleasant looks for taking the limelight off them.

So on we went to the Geisha club. Katie and Emily were supposed to be meeting us there, but when we got inside, the manager escorted us to a section already cordoned off, but with no sign of the Fitches. We got a complementary cocktail each, and spent the first 15 minutes taking in the sights and having our ears assaulted by the house music.

Jen spotted them first. The manager was in front, followed by the unmistakeable figure of Katie Fitch. Head high, doing her normal queen bee impression. She was wearing a shimmering blue outfit with a generous amount of flesh on show. Following her was what looked like an Aussie jock straight from central casting. Tall, blonde and with the normal designer stubble and gold ear hoop. His grin, when he spotted us, was so white I wished I'd kept my sunglasses in my bag. Behind him...was Emily...looking a million dollars of course, in a sheer red number slashed across the chest, showing tantalizing glimpses of her creamy tits. Her hair was up again, piled up on her head beautifully. Her head was down, until the person behind her said something in her ear, then she looked up and we locked eyes. Now I know we had only met this morning, in circumstances a little less formal...but now the encounter was expected...dangerous...charged.

You know in those clever screen shots, where the camera zooms at the same time as its tracked backwards...well, this was one of those moments. My breathing seemed to stop, and the pleasant buzz from the alcohol and the drugs disappeared. It was like we couldn't break contact. She carried on walking up the stairs behind her sister and the Aussie Rules footballer, but it was like no one else was even in the room. Eventually, we had to break the stare. Katie air kissed Effy and Jen and introduced Jeff, her current squeeze. Then she moved to one side, after nodding to me briefly. Suddenly, Emily was there...right in front of me. I honestly don't know how long I had been holding my breath, but suddenly all the oxygen seemed to have been sucked out of the room.

"Hi" I said, cursing the fact that my voice broke a bit "How are you Em?"

"Uh...fine?" she said...and then realised I was purposefully not referencing this mornings meeting...because just at that moment, the person who had been behind her walked round and held out her hand.

"Hi...it's Naomi, right?"

I fucking hated her on sight, but not just because she had ruined a moment, and because she was obviously Emily's new girl...but mainly because of the look in her sharp eyes. It said 'I hate you too...and by the way...I'm fucking your ex now...and she loves it"

She was quite short, about an inch taller than Emily, fairish hair, tinted with blonde highlights and cut expensively. Her eyes were bright green, with a brownish fleck, but they weren't kind eyes...they were possessive, predatory eyes, and I knew that instinctively. She was very pretty, in a semi butch kind of way, and by the looks of the tits that were threatening to emerge fully from her tight black top, she wasn't the shy and retiring sort.

"I'm Kira...Emily's girlfriend...I'd say she has told me all about you" and then she flashed a look at Emily which made my ex drop her eyes "But she hasn't...not really. She never said you were this pretty..."

I like praise, and usually lap it up...but this wasn't meant as a compliment. The clear message underneath the politeness, if you can call it that was obvious.

'This is my country, my girl and my game...keep your distance'

I smiled a fake smile and kept my eyes locked to hers. No one, even Effy, can out stare me...and she's tried, believe me. Eventually Kira dropped her gaze and slipped a proprietorial arm around Emily.

"Come on babes" she said sharply "Lets go and find a drink and somewhere to um...talk..."

And that was that…

XXX