Page 41 of The Granddaughter's Irish Secret
‘And that yours is a fake.’ Noel thought for a moment. ‘Maybe we could try to find that magazine. Which hairdresser was it? They might still have it.’
‘Vicky said she’d go back and look for the magazine, but she must have forgotten. I’ll call her and ask her which one it is. And then we’ll go there and see if we can find it.’
‘Good idea.’ Noel rose and put the photo on top of the others in the box. ‘I’ll take a look through these while you talk to her.’
‘Okay.’ Rose took her phone from her handbag and quickly called Vicky. ‘Hi,’ she said. ‘I was wondering if I could ask you something?’
‘Yes?’ Vicky said. ‘What?’
‘Remember how you said that you’d seen the identical necklace to mine in a magazine you read at the hairdressers?’
‘Of course I remember. Oh no, I was supposed to go and look for the magazine,’ Vicky said. ‘But there was so much going on that I forgot.’
‘I thought you might have,’ Rose said. ‘So then I was thinking I’d see if I could find it and take a look myself.’
‘You want to know which hairdresser?’ Vicky filled in. ‘Yeah, great idea. I went to that one near the post office. It’s called the Witches’ Hut for some reason. Not that I saw any witches.’ Vicky laughed. ‘But that’s the name of it. Small place but they’re good. Could recommend it, actually.’
‘Great, thanks,’ Rose said. ‘You don’t happen to know which issue it was?’
‘I think it was the March issue. Yes, now that I remember, it was all about St Patrick’s Day and the parades and stuff. Has a photo of Mary Kennedy on the cover. She looked lovely.’
‘Okay.’ Rose checked her watch. ‘It’s nearly four o’clock. I hope they’re still open on a Saturday.’
‘They close at five on Saturdays,’ Vicky said. ‘I hope you find the picture. Let me know if that necklace is the same as yours.’
‘I will,’ Rose promised. ‘Thanks again, Vicky. Let’s catch up soon.’
‘Looking forward to it,’ Vicky said. ‘Bye, Rose.’
‘The Witches’ Hut,’ Rose said to Noel when she had hung up. ‘Next door to the post office.’
‘Let’s go,’ Noel said. ‘I’ll drive.’
Rose didn’t argue. As his car was parked outside the manor, they jumped in and drove off quickly. ‘We have to get there before five,’ Rose said. ‘I hope we’ll find a place to park. The town is always packed on a Saturday.’
‘I’ll pull up outside and wait while you go in,’ Noel said. ‘I don’t think a ladies’ hairdresser is my kind of place. I mean, they might want to give me a makeover or something. I’m sure I need it, but this is not the time for that.’
Rose laughed and glanced at him. ‘You’re fine as you are,’ she said, thinking he looked very nice today, in his jeans and white sweater, which made his golden tan and bright blue eyes really stand out. His hair hadn’t been cut for a while, but the slightly longer length suited him and softened his features. ‘You’re looking a lot more relaxed today,’ she remarked.
He laughed. ‘Relaxed? I suppose it’s because I haven’t had time to go to the barber for a while. Must see to that soon.’
‘I wouldn’t bother,’ Rose said. ‘I like this slightly scruffy look on you.’
‘You might, but my clients won’t. I have to look correct at all times.’
‘Not with me, you don’t,’ Rose said, smiling. ‘You’re great to help me with sorting all the family stuff.’
‘I find it fascinating. Like stepping into a time machine. Oh here we are,’ he said as they neared the post office and the salon next door. Noel pulled up outside. ‘I’ll wait here.’
‘Thanks.’ Rose opened the door to get out. ‘Pray for me,’ she said.
‘I’ll say a whole novena,’ Noel promised.
Rose went into the small cosy salon, where two older women were sitting under hairdryers chatting to each other. A stylist was blow-drying the hair of a client by the window. They all looked up as Rose slammed the door shut.
‘That’s Sylvia Fleury’s granddaughter,’ she heard one of the women say from under a hairdryer, to her neighbour under the other one. ‘The one who used to be an estate agent.’
‘Can I help you?’ the stylist shouted over the noise of the hairdryer.
