Page 2 of Lessons in Love at the Seaside Salon
It turned out she was taking a break so she could set up her own salon. On the beachfront. Where all the tourists walk past. Yes, yes, Trudy knows she’s had a good run with Seaside Salonbeing the only salon in town and it was only a matter of time before another one opened. ButJaneopening it … Trudy felt that like a physical wound. Jane knew how upset she was – is – about Laurie, and to go and do that was a cruelty Trudy truly didn’t think she deserved. How much grief can a person bear? She’s finding out. And it’s far more than she wants to, that’s for sure.
Trudy wishes – even more than usual – that Laurie were still here so she could talk to him about the other salon and what she can do to win back the regulars who followed Jane there. Although he’d probably tell her to let them go. Say they weren’t regulars if they could so easily take off elsewhere. That she should forget about them and concentrate on the people who stayed, not the ones who left.
If only she and Evie could manage the ones who stayed on their own. All it takes is for Evie’s son, Billy, to have a sick day and he’s home from school and Evie has to be home with him. Those are the days when Trudy has to cancel clients – and once you start doing that, word gets around. That she’s unreliable. Maybe she’s lost her touch. Maybe her business is going down the sink.
So Trudy needs to find another hairdresser, preferably a good cutter, and she’s looking for an apprentice too. Someone to do the washing and the sweeping, who can run around to the newsagent’s to buy theNew Ideaand theWoman’s Dayand the other magazines the clients expect. And Trudy would quite like to reduce her hours if she can. Make time to see her son and his family in the city.
She becomes vaguely aware of Stephanie squawking at Evie and brings her attention back to the present.
‘How can you only have International Roast?’ Stephanie says.
‘My fault!’ Trudy sings out. ‘I’ve been run off my feet, pet. Haven’t made it to the shops in a few days. But don’t worry – coffee’s on the list.’
Stephanie huffs out a sigh then drags on her cigarette. ‘Isupposeit willdo,’ she says.
Trudy sees Evie smile tightly into the mirror.
‘Won’t be long,’ she says in that fake-chirp Trudy knows well. It’s the tone Evie uses when she’s fed up and can’t show it. They can never show it. Otherwise the client won’t come back and probably also goes away and says mean things to their friends.
Her own client – the tourist – has actually been a dream. So far. She’s been quiet, mostly; reading a magazine and letting Trudy get on with it.
Except now she’s staring at her reflection in the mirror.
‘I’ve never had a blow-dry,’ she says, sounding almost afraid.
‘Oh,’ Trudy says, looking down at the dryer in her hand. The woman had a shampoo in preparation for her cut and Trudy usually dries them when their hair is wet. Doesn’t everyone?
‘Would you like one today?’ she enquires.
‘Will it be … poufy?’ The woman’s brow knits.
‘Only if you want it to be.’
Her face relaxes into a smile. ‘Yes, please,’ she says.
‘Righto.’ Trudy turns on the dryer to its highest setting. She’s vaguely aware of Evie putting down a coffee in front of Stephanie and another in front of her. ‘Thanks, pet,’ she mouths over the noise.
Evie wrinkles her nose in response. It’s her cute little shorthand for ‘you’re welcome’. She always does it. Mainly because one or both of them are usually drying someone’s hair and it’s too noisy to speak.
After a few minutes the tourist client is patting her hair from underneath and grinning. Then she gives Trudy a tip on top of the fee and Trudy feels chuffed. The day is turning out betterthan she thought. Better than she’s had in a while. Maybe it would be all right to have some hope.
Once Stephanie has left with the best Diana do Evie could manage, Trudy sits down for a few minutes of respite before her two o’clock turns up.
‘You did well,’ she says as Evie sweeps up hair. ‘She was tricky.’
Evie shrugs. ‘She’s okay. Just has some unrealistic dreams.’
‘Don’t we all.’
Evie gives her a funny look – probably because they’ve never discussed their hopes and desires before.
‘What’s your dream?’ she says.
Trudy smiles sadly. ‘That my husband isn’t dead any more.’
‘Ah,’ Evie says, looking up to smile quickly. ‘I see what you mean.’
She keeps sweeping, away from Trudy, who is about to ask what Evie’s dreams are when the two o’clock arrives early.
