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“Let her pay.” Instructs Marco. Without looking at me, she scans the items and holds out the payment machine. I tap my card and pick up my bag, feeling very deflated.
In the car, on the way back to the house, I can see Marco looking at me through the rearview mirror.
“You will get used to it.”
I don’t say anything in return. I don’t want to get used to it.
When we get back, I set up a salon area in our bathroom. The bathroom is huge, with plenty of room for the chair I bring in from the dressing table. There’s lots of worktop space for all my colouring products and tools; there’s even a spout that pulls out on the sink to wash her hair. Filled with excitement, I go and get Alga.
“I’ve got a surprise for you; come with me.”
“A surprise for me?”
“Yes, come on. You’ll be ok without her for a couple of hours, won’t you, Sergio?”
“Of course, you girls go.” He waves us out of the kitchen.
I take Alga into the bathroom.
“If it's ok with you, Alga, I’d like to do your hair.” Alga looks around, shocked.
“Oh no, I can’t; I have to work, Mr. Guerra..”
“Mr. Guerra will be fine. Please, it will make me happy.”
“I can’t afford it.”
“Don’t be silly, it’s my treat, sit.” I walk her to the chair and put a gown around her before she can argue anymore. I sit her in front of the mirror and take out her bobble. Alga has always worn her hair tied up in a tight, high bun. I guessed it would be long, but I didn’t realise how long. Her hair is dark, with strands of grey running through it. It’s all different lengths and wispy. I’d guess she hasn’t had it cut professionally in many years.
“How do you feel about your hair, Alga? Are you attached to the length, or would you be prepared to go to this sort of length?” I gesture with my hands just below her shoulders. There would be about 7 inches coming off the longest sections if she agrees.
“Do whatever you like; I trust you.” She nods and smiles, and I can tell she does.
“Great, we will put you some layers in as well, frame your face; it will really suit you. I was thinking of keeping with your natural dark and silver hair, but I’ll do some highlights and low lights, then a toner, to give it some more definition.
“Yes, yes, whatever you think.”
“Wonderful.” I waste no time in getting started. I’m really enjoying doing what I love. I’ve missed this. Working my magic, we talk and laugh. It's lovely to see Alga like this, relaxed and being looked after, rather than her doing all the work. Once the colour is done and I’ve finished the restyle cut, I blow dry her hair bouncy with a bit of curl. I purposely face her away from the mirror until I am finished. I must admit it does look pretty amazing. I love doing transformations like this. Alga looks at least 10 years younger. Her sparse, dull, lifeless hair is now thick, shiny, and full of style. Spinning her chair around, she faces the mirror. For a moment, she doesn’t say a word, and I worry she doesn’t like it. But then tears fill her eyes as she touches her new bouncy locks.
“Is this me?” she cries.
“You look beautiful, Alga.”
“Thank you.”
“What’s going on in here?!” Leo storms into the bathroom. Alga jumps from her seat and rips the gown from around her neck.
Chapter 17
Katie
“I have just done Alga’s hair; doesn’t she look amazing?” I beam. Leo looks from me to her. “Alga and Sergio’s daughter graduates as a doctor this weekend. Isn’t that amazing?”
“Alga……you look….. lovely.” He then leaves, closing the door behind him. Alga looks in shock. She looks back at herself in the mirror.
“Thank you so much.”
“You’re very welcome. Come on, let’s go and show Sergio, see what he thinks.” Alga beams; I follow her to the kitchen.
