Font Size:  

“Kate? I’m Simone. Come on through.”

Kate followed the woman through to the main salon, thinking how plush it was in comparison to the cheap and cheerful place she’d used in Bath. The stylist asked what she would like doing, and Kate instructed her she only wanted a trim and blow dry.

“Do you have somewhere special to go later?”

Kate told her about the Christmas party. The hairdresser’s eyes widened when she heard the name of the solicitors’ firm. Kate needn’t have worried about talking, for the next forty minutes were taken up with tales of a recent divorce. Apparently, Bob handled the legal side of what sounded like a very acrimonious split. Somewhere in the middle of her monologue, the hairdresser persuaded Kate to get a choppy fringe, though she’d stood her ground on the suggestion ofadding a little colour. Kate knew from Maddie’s intensive grooming it was code foradding a hundred pounds to the bill.

Two hours and sixty pounds later, Kate emerged onto the street, holding a bag above her head to protect her hair from the pouring rain. She prayed the stylist’s handiwork would survive the short walk home, for despite herself, Kate had been pleasantly surprised when she looked in the mirror. Her hair was shorter, bobbed neatly to just above her chin, and hung in loose ‘natural’ waves that had taken half a bottle of hairspray to achieve. The fringe looked OK, though the jury was out on how long it would be before she grew it out again.

Kate ran up the high street, attracting looks from passers-by, not because of her smart haircut, but due to the bag she held above it. She made it to her front door and rushed inside to check her appearance in the mirror. Apart from a little extra frizz, the waves were still intact and would be good enough for a small local party.

Half way through applying her makeup Kate’s phone buzzed with an incoming FaceTime from Maddie.

“Hi,” said Kate, waving at the screen.

“My God, you look amazing. What’s happened to your hair?”

“I went to the hairdressers, that’s what.”

“You? But you hate getting your hair cut.”

“I know, but needs must. I’m going to a party tonight.”

“Oooh, tell me more.”

“Oh, it’s nothing special just Bob’s office Christmas do.”

“Wow, so are you and Bob…”

“God no! I’m going as a friend, to save him from a snake lady.”

“A what?”

“Doesn’t matter. Anyway, you’re looking really glam yourself. Going somewhere nice?”

Maddie pursed her bright red lips into a kiss and blew it at the screen. “You always know how to make me feel good about myself you know.”

“Shush you, you always feel good about yourself. Come on, tell me where you’re off to.”

“Same as you, office Christmas party. It’s at some fancy hotel out of town so I’ve had to book a room for an extortionate price. To be honest I’m not looking forward to it all that much. There’s lots of other companies going so it could get a bit rowdy.”

“Oh, don’t give me that. You’ll be the first on the dance-floor and will drink everyone under the table knowing you.”

Maddie laughed. “So anyway, are you going to show me the dress you’ve got to go with those awesome boots?”

Kate walked over to the door where Moira’s dress was hanging.

“Wow Kate, that’s gorgeous. You’ll have men queuing round the block for you in that.”

“I don’t want men queuing round the block!”

“Don’t tell me you’re still hung up on arse face.”

“At least you’ve moved on from arse wipe. I’m not sure what our situation is to be honest, but I’d feel disloyal dating anyone else until I know where I stand with Alex.”

“Have you even spoken to him in the last few months?”

“Not really, but he’s been sending me loads of funny memes and videos.”

Source: www.allfreenovel.com
Articles you may like