Page 22 of Lessons in Love at the Seaside Salon
Sam, however, is not at all shocked. In fact, he’s laughing, his head thrown back.
‘Has anyone ever told you that you look like Montgomery Clift?’ Merle asks.
‘Yes,’ Sam says, running his fingers over her scalp as Merle closes her eyes.
‘That’s good, love,’ she says. ‘Keep doing that.’
Trudy’s next client arrives and she looks around for Josie, who’s been refolding the towels. The creases weren’t sharp enough for her liking, apparently.
‘Josie, pet, can you do a wash?’ she calls out.
As her client sits by the basin, Trudy keeps one eye on Sam. Not that he needs monitoring – she can see from the way he’s not only talking to Merle but cutting her hair that he has experience, and that he’s good with clients – but she needs to check out what he’s doing. This is her business, and it’s already been dented by one former hairdresser. There may be no way to guard against a repeat of Jane’s behaviour, but it makes Trudy feel better to think she’s not rushing to give Sam a gold star. He’ll have to earn it. Except she doesn’t actually want him to feel watched, so she goes to the appointment book and pretends to be busy.
While she’s there, positioned in the middle of the salon, between Sam and Evie, she notices Evie looking into the mirror, across at Sam. They’ve had minimal interaction today, apart from Sam waving his greeting just after he met Merle, which makes Trudy now believe firmly that they’ve never spent much time together. And also makes her believe that Evie must really like this Oliver fellow, since she’s so willing to help his brother. Except she can’t like him likethatbecause she’s looking at Sam as if he’s a member of one of those pop bands the girls are into – Wham! or some such. She likes that George Michael’s hair – very nicely layered, and the colour is good too. Apart from that, though, the man does nothing for her.
Then Evie’s eyes meet hers in the mirror and she glances away. Trudy could swear her cheeks are pink. Interesting.
After Merle is done – her hair beautifully shaped, and a big smile on her face – Sam does another cut then a perm. Soon it’s time for lunch, and Trudy invites him into the back room.
‘Busy first day already,’ she says, lighting her lunchtime cigarette and offering one to Sam, who smiles his thanks and takes it. She lights it for him.
Sam drags on the ciggie then narrows his eyes. ‘I’m fairly sure you’ve been kind and given me some of your regulars. I hope they didn’t mind?’
‘Mind?’ She chortles. ‘Did you hear Merle saying you look like Monty Clift?’
He grins. ‘She’s very kind.’
‘And correct.’
Sam laughs – that same full-throated laugh as before. It’s always lovely being around people who seem to laugh with their whole beings. Their laughter uplifts everyone around them. Since Trudy could do with some uplift, it’s another tick for Sam.
‘Your clients seem lovely,’ he says, flicking ash into her ashtray.
‘I’m hiding the mean ones from you for now.’
Another laugh. ‘I don’t believe you for a second, darl. You’re too lovely to have mean clients.’
‘Oh, you’ll get ahead,’ Trudy says wryly, but she’s secretly pleased.
‘That’s what my mother’s always said.’ He shrugs. ‘She’s still waiting.’
He frowns but it’s gone quickly. Perhaps the smoke is bothering him. Perhaps his mother bothers him. Trudy isn’t going to ask.
‘Did you bring some tucker?’ Trudy says, stubbing out her cigarette.
Sam nods. ‘A sandwich.’
‘I’ll leave you to it.’
‘You don’t have to go.’ Sam looks genuinely disappointed, bless him. ‘Unless you do. Sorry – I know this is your salon and you may have things to do.’
‘I’ll have my lunch in a little while,’ she says. ‘You need a bit of time to yourself on your first day, I reckon. To figure out if you’ll want to come back.’
‘Oh, I will,’ he says, holding her gaze.
Suddenly she feels as if she’s known him forever. Perhaps he’s just adept at making people feel comfortable, but it’s irrelevant: the point is that shedoesfeel comfortable, and glad that he’s here. And not a moment too soon. She suspects he may be a secret weapon in keeping people from going to Jane’s salon, or enticing them to return. She’s definitely not above thinking that a handsome young man is motivation for ladies of all ages to come to a salon …
‘Wonderful,’ she says. ‘Because I believe you’ll be a hit.’
