Page 95 of For Love or Money
‘And we could add some more layers,’ he said, combing through her hair with his fingers. ‘Give it a bit more movement.’
Lesley nodded. ‘Whatever you think. But I don’t want too much off. My boyfriend likes it long.’
‘Well, he’s not the boss of you, is he?’ Adam said indignantly.
‘No, but ... I like it long too.’
‘Don’t worry. We won’t take much off the overall length, just add some layers and zizz you up a bit. Trust me, you’ll love it. And so will he.’
‘Okay, then,’ Lesley said nervously, not sure what Adam’s idea of ‘zizzing up’ might entail.
‘Right, let’s get you washed.’
‘So are you here on holiday?’Adam asked, cranking up the pedal on her chair so Lesley’s feet were lifted off the ground. She was back at his station, her newly washed and conditioned hair in snaky wet tendrils around her shoulders.
‘Yes, I’m staying in Nice with my boyfriend and his family.’
‘Very nice. And how do you know Rafe Bradshaw?’ Adam asked.
‘He’s my boyfriend’s cousin.’
‘Really?’ Adam drawled, widening his eyes enthusiastically. ‘Lucky you! So is he staying with you too?’
‘Yes.’
‘So close and yet so far,’ Adam shook his head. ‘I don’t think I’d be able to contain myself. He’s gorgeous, isn’t he?’
Lesley shrugged. ‘I fancy my boyfriend more,’ she said loyally.
‘Good for you!’
‘So how long have you been in St Tropez?’ Lesley asked him.
‘Almost two years now. Best thing I ever did.’
‘And before that were you in London?’
‘Mmm,’ Adam murmured, concentrating as he snipped into the ends of Lesley’s hair.
‘You’re not from London originally, though, are you?’
Adam shook his head, looking at her in the mirror. ‘Barnsley. In Yorkshire.’
‘I lived in London for a while,’ she said in what she hoped was a casual conversational tone. ‘Were you there long?’
‘Fifteen years. I moved there as soon as I left school. I couldn’t wait to get out of Barnsley. There, all done,’ he said, whipping the towel away from around Lesley’s neck with a flourish. He ran his fingers through it, fluffing it out. ‘I’ll finish off the fringe when I’ve dried it.’
‘You’re finished already?’ Lesley asked in dismay.
‘We’ve kept the length, like you wanted,’ he said, pulling strands of her wet hair down on either side.
Lesley regarded herself in the mirror, turning her head this way and that, as if assessing the cut. ‘I thought it’d look like more.’
‘Would you like me to take a bit more off? Maybe add a few more layers?’
‘Yes, please.’
‘You’re sure your boyfriend won’t mind?’ Adam asked with a playful wink at her in the mirror.
