Page 17 of Fast Forward

“Seriously? And I thought pregnancy brain had fried my memory,” she said. “Facebook bought Google, remember? So now it’s Foogle.”

“Oh, of course. Geez, the bungy jumping must have messed with my head.” I attempted a light-hearted laugh.

We walked, or rather I walked while Diora waddled, moving at a snail’s pace. Surely a bit of weight around the tummy couldn’t make a person that slow? Getting impatient, I forced myself to walk slower, while inside I was still running around in circles after my bungy jump, not to mention the urgent desire to find a way out of this body.

As I waited for Diora to catch up, my eye caught a large poster displayed in the window of a beauty salon: Take Ten Years Off with our YouthMagic Facial! It had a before and after photo of a woman about forty, but in the after photo she looked about thirty. Clinically proven to work* it said under the heading and there was some fine print at the bottom but I didn’t bother with that. I pushed through the door and into the salon.

“Mum, what are you doing?” Diora asked, panting slightly.

“I must have one of these facials!” This could be it. I’d close my eyes while the beautician did her magic and when I opened them I’d be twenty-five – and it would be much more enjoyable than bungy jumping.

“Mum.” Diora tugged at my arm again and ushered me away from the counter, much to the disappointment of the eager beautician. “I’ve already booked you in for a YouthMagic facial, remember? But not at this dodgy salon, at Queen of Beauty,” she whispered.

“You have?”

“Uh-huh. For all three of us, remember?”

I was sick of people saying remember, but my eagerness for a magic facial overtook my irritation. Hang on. “Three of us?”

I hoped she didn’t mean the unborn baby was having some kind of pre-natal, trans-abdominal Foetus Facial. But this was the future and after experiencing yolkless eggs, e-pads, PB-whatchamacallit miracle brain scanners and talking self-driving cars – anything was possible.

“You, me and Elaine,” Diora replied matter-of-factly. “Only I’m having the Pregnant Princess Facial.” She smiled and raised her ample bosom with pride.

“Oh, right.” I had no idea who Elaine was.

“And, they’re going to do your hair and make-up. So you’ll be all prepped for your big meeting this afternoon.”

The only meeting I planned to attend would be my birthday party. With my twenty-something friends and no one even close to the age of fifty. I picked up my pace.

“Mum, can you slow down? Don’t you remember what it was like when you were pregnant?”

No, I bloody didn’t! I just wanted to hurry up and have this facial! Although, I had no idea where I was supposed to be walking to. “Yes, of course, sorry sweetheart.” I was getting good at this mother talk.

Ten painful minutes later, we arrived at Queen of Beauty and I’d barely pushed open the door before a woman with a frizzy mop of blonde hair threw her arms around me.

“Oh, Kel. Happy Birthday! This is going to be so much fun!”

I jerked backwards and stiffened my shoulders at the intrusion.

“Mum’s a little on edge after her bungy jump, Elaine,” Diora explained.

“Yes, that’s right. I can’t wait to see the video!” Elaine said, before switching her embrace over to Diora and then placing a hand on her belly. “How are you, sweetie?”

Oh God, I’d forgotten they’d taken a video of the jump. Just routine, they said, for visual evidence if anything went wrong. Not that it ever did, Bungy Ben had assured me.

“Happy birthday, Kelli,” a velvety voice said from somewhere behind Elaine’s curly mop. Elaine moved aside and a large woman with hair rolled neatly into a bun on the top of her head stepped forward and grasped my hands in hers. “Welcome to your morning of pampering.”

This must be the Queen of Beauty herself. A garland of tiny gold beads was strung around the base of her hair bun, looking somewhat like a crown. She wore a black and gold uniform, falling with a liquid-like drape over her curves.

“Thanks,” I replied, glancing around the waiting area which resembled a palace. The chairs for guests to sit on and await their appointment were mini-thrones! Subtle ambient music permeated the air, as did a warm woody scent, while a triple-tier water fountain trickled peacefully in the corner. I’m sure I’m not the kind of mother to favour one child over another, but Diora hit the jackpot with this birthday gift.

I met my reflection in an elaborate gilt-edged mirror on the left wall and startled slightly, but was then drawn to the beautiful design of the frame. Its curves and swirls gave it a classic elegance, but with a hint of modern spark. A lamp stood below the mirror on a small table, the swirly design of the mirror repeated in the gold of the lamp base. “These are beautiful, aren’t they?” I said, tracing the curved design with a finger.

“Of course they are, you designed them,” Elaine said with a chuckle.

My finger froze and I looked up at Elaine, this woman I’d never seen before. “Huh?”

The Queen stepped forward again. “They’ve stood the test of time too, these classic pieces never go out of style. And although I adore your new season designs, I won’t be changing the decor in a hurry. We get so many compliments from clients on the look of our salon and I always tell them it’s thanks to KC Interiors.”

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