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looking. One of those skanky little insects had bitten her. It was the last straw. Melissa found her mobile and dialled home.
    â€˜Mum, you have to send me money to get me home. It’s a nightmare; Mum I’m all on my own. Sophie deserted me. I’ve got a broken leg and something terrible has happened to my eye. I think I’m going blind.’ She wept.
    â€˜My poor darling! Of course I’ll send you money. What happened? How did you break your leg? What do you mean Sophie’s deserted you?’ Rose Harris asked with concern.
    â€˜It’s a long story,’ Melissa sobbed.‘You’ll never believe the way Sophie Mason treated me. She doesn’t know how to be a friend. I’m never going to have anything to do with her again.’
    Melissa poured her heart out to her mother who promised to organise a flight home that very day if possible.
    Twelve hours later Melissa was on a flight to London. A handsome cabin attendant fussed over her and offered her a drink. Melissa sat back in her seat watching the lights of Spain twinkle beneath the plane. Thank God she was going home, she thought. It was a pity she couldn’t really flirt with Mister Sexy, but she looked a sight with her swollen red eye and dirty foot peeking out from its plaster cast.
    Regretfully she sipped her wine. It had been the worst holiday of her entire life. She was never going to speak to Sophie Mason again.

Chapter Nine
    A year later …
    â€˜Did you hear about Sophie Mason? She’s engaged to some rich Spanish doctor. She met him when she was working in Majorca. They’re getting married next month. I met her sister in a club last night. Sophie’s flying the whole family out to Majorca for the wedding. Imagine! You never told me about the wedding. Are you going?’ Ann Kelly asked Melissa as they tidied up the salon after a very busy day.
    Melissa’s fingers curled. Her lips tightened with envy. What a sly cowthat Sophie Mason had turned out to be. She had left her alone in that grotty little apartment with a broken leg. And then she had gone and wangled her way into that Spanish family. It was galling to think that she had nabbed a rich Spanish doctor and was getting married! Melissa hadn’t seen her from that day to this. And now to hear this shocking news. Was there no justice in the world?
    â€˜Don’t mention that girl’s name to me,’ Melissa snapped. ‘I thought she was a friend. Little did I know until she stabbed me in the back what a sly bitch she was.’
    â€˜She stabbed you in the back?’ Angie was astonished.
    â€˜Don’t be thick,’ Melissa said crossly. ‘I invited her to go on holidays and then she met these people and left me in the lurch on my own with a broken leg. Can you believe that?’
    â€˜Really?
I’d never have thought it of Sophie. That’s awful. I always thought she was very nice,’ Ann remarked in surprise.
    â€˜Well she wasn’t. She’s as two-faced as they come. I don’t want to talk about her,’ Melissa declared with venom.
    â€˜Oh, OK. That’s understandable. With friends like that who needs enemies?’ Ann said quickly. ‘Just as well you have me to go on holidays with this year.’ She smiled. ‘I wouldn’t do anything like that. Not in a million years. You can depend on me.’
    â€˜I know, sweetie.’ Melissa managed a smile. ‘You’ll love where we’re going to. It has a marina full of yachts. There are loads of rich people hanging around in the cafés. It will be the best holiday ever.’
    â€˜I can’t wait!’ Ann said excitedly. ‘Thanks for inviting me to come.’
    â€˜You’re very welcome,’ said Melissa kindly. ‘Could you be a pet and finish off here? I’ve got a thumping headache.’
    â€˜Oh, OK,’ Ann murmured. Funny how Melissa always got a thumping headache on Friday evenings when