Page 45 of Knowing You
‘Perhaps you think you could do with losing a few pounds, just like I needed to. There’s nothing to feel ashamed of. You can change too. I’ll help if you want.’
Farah looks down at herself and back up again. ‘I’ve had children. I’m middle-aged. As long as the doctor is happy, so am I.’ Her voice wavers. ‘My life’s got more in it than worrying about the size of my thighs – and yours used to as well.’
She can’t see how successful people have to be the whole package.
‘And good for you,’ I say, exasperation sneaking into my voice. ‘But please – respect my choices.’ I turn and head for the toilets. I’m just about to go in when someone takes my arm.
‘You’ve upset Farah. I know she can go overboard sometimes, but it’s only because she cares.’ Irfan shakes his head. ‘What’s going on? This last week or so you’ve had your mind elsewhere. This isn’t like the Violet we know.’
‘And that’s a bad thing? She wasn’t exactly the most popular member of the team.’
‘What are you talking about?’ His brow knots.
He’s so naïve.
I push the Ladies’ door open and go inside. I get changed in one of the cubicles and when I come out, one of the design team says they love my dress. Bella is a hard task master and lately has been making decisions for me. Sometimes I disagree, but she raises one of her finely threaded eyebrows. It’s a look I don’t like to argue with. So I’ve consumed nothing but juiced fruits and vegetables for two days. But my skin is translucent and my collar bones show as if I’m one of those influencers everyone loves on Instagram. And tonight, I’m wearing one of Bella’s animal print dresses.
I stare into the mirror. The door creaks closed and I’m left alone. My stomach pinches as I take in the sophisticated reflection and an unexpected sob escapes my lips. Any transformation will have its challenges. Just because I don’t quite know who I am at the moment doesn’t mean I won’t soon. I’m not a bitch, am I, for the way I’m standing up for myself with Farah and Kath?Theyare in the wrong, not feeling happy for the way I’m turning my life around. I can’t help it if it makes them uncomfortable.
I think back to my unhappy days at primary school, that Halloween, Alice and the spider. How I’d felt sorry for her when she cried and offered a tissue. What a schmuck. It’s about time I stood up for myself and stopped worrying about the welfare of others so much.
I make some last adjustments to my hair, take a selfie and post it on Instagram. Thanks to the lighting in the Ladies’, it doesn’t need a filter. My shoulders relax as the likes start to arrive. Hugo dispels any further doubts as I walk past reception.
‘Can you bottle what you are on and give some to me?’ he says, coming around from his desk.
Hugo kisses my hand and I sashay out of the building.
Chapter 20
I walk into the hairdresser’s and do everything I can to hide my surprise. For some reason, I assumed Casey’s salon would look glossy and high-end, with chic staff and fizzy wine on tap. Instead I’m offered a coffee and digestive biscuit from a stylist comfortably dressed and old enough to be his mum. The chairs are tan leather and the units black. There’s a distinct masculine feel softened by a tabby cat asleep on one of the hair-dryer chairs and the subtly brown and yellow floral wallpaper. I crouch down and it lifts its head for a scratch. The moss green eyes narrow and study me as if the animal knows my plans.
‘Vi, meet Luna.’
‘Lovely name.’
He strides over and he runs his hand down her back. She stretches and licks his fingers. ‘I found her abandoned outside under a full moon. She was only about ten weeks old. With the vet’s help, I brought her back to good health.’
‘You should have called her Lucky.’
‘I’m the lucky one. Some customers only come back because they know it means a couple of hours with her purring on their laps.’ He looks at the woman who offered me coffee. ‘Judy, you get off now.’
She gives him the thumbs-up and his eyes scan her grey waves. ‘Have you decided yet about that pink tint?’
‘No. Derek might divorce me. He contacted his solicitor last year when I mooted getting a tattoo.’
They both laugh. Judy looks my way. ‘Casey’s a terror for leading people astray, so just be careful. You might leave with a Mohican cut.’
‘Excuse me, I’m very professional,’ he says and brandishes a comb and scissors as if they are fighting off her insults.
‘That he is,’ says a young woman dressed in black with no make-up and shiny brunette hair. ‘But I don’t tell him that very often. There’s no room in this salon for an ego the size of his.’
He waves to his two employees as they leave. The door rings as it closes behind them. Casey offers me a cupcake. I shake my head. ‘Wise choice. One of my regulars, Eve, has just turned ninety. Such an inspirational woman. She still does pilates. However, she’s never got over rationing during the war. These are austerity carrot cupcakes. Eve just uses that vegetable instead of sugar. I’m all for living on a budget, but this is a step too far.’
I stand up to sit in the chair he’s pointing to by the wash basins. Casey can’t stop staring. ‘That dress. It’s a knockout.’
As usual, Bella was right about me being able to pull off animal print. And just a slash of red lipstick must have brightened up my face without looking over the top. These are the sort of nuggets of information I’d have found boring a few months ago. But now, it was like finally trying the book of a popular author and understanding why they sold so well.
He ties a black cape around me and I lean back. Water runs and his fingers gently massage my hair. I cross my legs as electric sensations travel down my spine.
