Page 43 of Shar: A Woman Alone

“Before you go, there may be something you can help with.Could you look at the fridge with me? I think it’s leaking from the backsomewhere and some days it's worse than others.”

Not seeing a puddle of water near the fridge, I can seewhere it has been mopped regularly by the marks on the tiles. “Let’s see if wecan drag this out and have a look at the back. It might be something that wecan sort ourselves.”

Taking a side each, we try to wriggle the fridge forward,but after several minutes of grunting and sweating, we haven’t moved it afraction of an inch. Just as we bend our backs to have another go, a voicepipes up from behind us and we both shriek girly squeals.

“What on earth do you two itty bitty girlies think you’redoing?” Atlas stands there with his arms folded across his chest, shaking hishead. “You’ll get yourselves an injury trying to move that beast. You have aclubhouse full of biker testosterone and muscle, yet you insist on trying to dothings that are clearly beyond your physical capabilities. Just ask and we willobey. Now, the pair of you. Get out of the way.”

Stepping out of his way and looking sheepish, I have toadmit, we let him get to grips with our nemesis. Only a few seconds later, andthe damn thing is out far enough for Lira to get behind and have a look.

“I think it just needs a good cleaning, Shar. There’s dustthat’s built up and looks to be blocking some drain hole. The water’s runningonto the floor instead of into this drain thingy.”

Another problem solved, I leave Lira and Atlas to it and goin search of Zara and my next challenge.

Finding Zara and Gunner with Sharp in his office, I don’tthink I’m required, but both men get up to leave as I walk in. Giving Zara akiss on the cheek as they leave, they both give me a smile and look very smug.

Once the door’s closed, I take a seat at the table with Zaraand she too, looks like the cat that got the cream.

“So. What’s happening?” I look at her curiously.

“They both went over my interview questions and wereimpressed with what I thought I should be asking.” She beams with pride.

“Your dad is trying hard to be a good dad, isn’t he?” Iwatch as she looks at the door.

“He was an ass for a long time, Shar. I didn’t think heloved me for a while. He has turned himself around now, though, and is therewhenever I need him to be, and sometimes when I don’t, too.”

“Good for him, and I’m happy for you. Now let’s see whatthey were so impressed with, eh?” Taking the papers that Zara hands me, I seethat she has a list of questions for the interviewee and space for her to notetheir answers and any thoughts she may have.

“I researched on the internet, and I liked the way this waslaid out. It made sense to me and so I’ve stolen the idea.” She looks happywith herself and I have to agree that it is something that I would happily copyfor my own benefit.

Our first interviewee is Natalie. She was the one that Ithought Zara had already decided on since she had brought her resume to theclubhouse, and it read very well. Her experience is excellent, and she presentsherself well, too. I notice the way that she directs herself more to Zara thanto me and I have to wonder if she hasn’t done her homework, and is aware thatZara is the owner and not me. She answers that question for me when she asksZara what made her want to own her own salon at such an early age.

I must say, they get on extremely well and I think Nataliewould show Zara a lot of positives in both the stylist role and that of beingthe owner. Our second interviewee will have to go a long way to beat Natalie tothe post. Zara tells Natalie as she leaves that she will be in touch latertoday with an answer for her. Grabbing a bottle of water each from a stackunder the table that Zara had brought in earlier, we discuss Natalie’sinterview and share our thoughts.

When we sit down with August, who didn’t make the greatestfirst impression with just a phone call, I am pleasantly surprised with how shecomes across. She sells herself well, and in a genuine way. Not so much as‘look at how great am I’ but more the ‘look what I can bring to the business’way.

The interview, again, goes well and we ask her to give us afew minutes. Leaving her in the rec room with Joel, the first person we cameacross, we have a quick chat and again compare notes.

We both agree that Natalie has the edge on August for themanager's position, however, we both think it would be a shame to let Augustslip through our fingers. During her interview, August told us of herqualifications and amongst them were certificates in nail care. Zara and I bothhave that same look on our faces and smiling, we see the opportunity toincrease the salon’s client base from just hair to nails as well. There is roomupstairs to have a couple of nail bars if the idea took off and room for a thirdstylist position downstairs. It looks like a win-win situation.

Putting the idea to August, she thinks it over, asks acouple of questions, one of which involves salary if she is going to bemulti-skilled, and hey presto, we have the makings of a business.

Zara contacts Natalie, confirms her position as manager andagrees on a date and time to meet her at the salon to go over the employees andthe business plan. I’ll be present for the first meeting, but I will be quietlybowing out from then on and letting Zara take the reins.

I sense, once again, my time here is almost at an end.

CHAPTER 22

Crack

Of all the different hats Sharp wears in the course of beingour Pres, today he must be wearing his lazy hat. I made the mistake of stickingmy head through his office door this morning to say ‘hello,’ and got landedwith what feels like his whole day's schedule of tasks.

Visit the diner, check on this. Visit the club, check onthat. Visit the tattoo shop and check on the other. It’s a miracle he didn’task me to eat his breakfast and then go shit it out for him! I started the dayin such a good mood and now I’m ready to rip someone’s head off.

I think I’ll bypass breakfast here and grab something when Ivisit the diner. If any of the brothers pick up on my mood, they’ll take greatpleasure in making it worse, I’m sure. Hell, I’m outta here.

Deciding the tattoo shop can be my first port of call, Itake a steady ride and let the rumble of my hog's engine soothe my mood. It’snot long before I feel my face crack with a smile.

Arriving at the shop, I leave my hog out front, where I cankeep my eye on it. No one has ever messed with any of the club's bikes, butthere is always a first time. Walking into the building, I hear theold-fashioned bell over the door give its little tinkle. I’m surprised to seeboth Scribe and Needle chilling with a coffee and not already working onsomeone.

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