Hope Blooms in Tuppenny Bridge (Tuppenny Bridge #5)

Chapter 8

EIGHT

‘Just make yourself nice and comfortable, love. There you go. Let’s tuck that towel in properly. We don’t want your neck to get a good soaking, do we?’

As Daisy shuffled low in her chair with her head tilted back over the sink, Bluebell adjusted the towel around Daisy’s shoulders then picked up the shower attachment which had been spouting water into the basin, once Bluebell had got it to the right temperature.

‘I’ll say one thing for your luscious locks,’ she said cheerily, as she worked the water through Daisy’s hair, ‘they grow bloody quick! Nice and thick an’ all.’

‘Tell me about it,’ Daisy said. ‘Needs trimming every four to six weeks or I can’t manage it at all. Luckily my landlady also happens to be the best hairdresser in Tuppenny Bridge.’

Buttercup, Bluebell’s eldest daughter, stopped sweeping the floor and called out, ‘Oy! What about me?’

‘You’re the apprentice, I’m the master,’ Bluebell said, laughing. ‘You’ve a long way to go before you reach my standard, love. Are you still sweeping up? Put the kettle on and make us all a cuppa, eh?’

‘Aw, Mam! Can’t our Clover do it?’

‘You know she’s busy in the back room doing Mrs Palmer’s nails,’ Bluebell said, massaging shampoo into Daisy’s hair. ‘Go on, hurry up before you-know-who gets here.’

Daisy couldn’t see Bluebell’s face, but she could have sworn, by the tone of her voice, that she’d just rolled her eyes.

Buttercup tutted loudly but went into the kitchen.

‘Who’s you-know-who?’ Daisy asked, curious.

‘Would you believe Isobel Lavender?’ As Daisy made a gasping noise Bluebell said, ‘I know! Fancy Lady Muck deigning to visit my humble salon. Apparently, she couldn’t get an appointment with her usual nail technician and it’s an emergency. All that sunshine and hard work dossing by the pool have played havoc with her manicure, so she needs Clover to repair the damage. Thought Mrs Palmer would be done by now but if Clover doesn’t hurry up Isobel will have to sit in here and wait, and I’m buggered if I’m making small talk with her. Can’t be arsed, so it will have to be Buttercup’s job.’

Daisy groaned inwardly. Of all the people!

Usually, she loved having her hair washed at the salon. Bluebell was so good at it that she almost fell asleep as first shampoo, then conditioner, was massaged into her hair. Now, though, she felt jumpy and tense.

‘Tea or coffee, Daisy?’ Buttercup called from the kitchen door.

‘Oh, not for me,’ Daisy said hurriedly. ‘I won’t be here long.’

Bluebell rinsed out the last of the conditioner and wrapped the towel around Daisy’s head, gently patting her hair dry.

‘Don’t be daft. Cut and blow dry you’re booked in for,’ she reminded her. ‘She likes coffee, love,’ she called to Buttercup. ‘Milk, one sugar.’

The doorbell jangled and Daisy’s heart skipped. She pushed the towel up and peered over at the door, her spirits sinking when she saw Isobel standing there, looking around her with an expression that revealed she was less than impressed with the decor in Cutting it Fine.

‘Oh, you’re bang on time,’ Bluebell said. ‘How smashing to see you, love. You’re looking well. Glowing in fact.’

Daisy thought Bluebell either deserved an Oscar for her performance, or she was the biggest hypocrite in Tuppenny Bridge.

‘Move over to the other chair, Daisy,’ Bluebell said. ‘Clover will be with you in a minute, love,’ she added to Isobel. ‘Would you like a cuppa while you’re waiting?’

‘No thank you,’ Isobel said. She stared at Daisy, who felt as if her face was on fire. ‘Daisy.’

‘Isobel.’

Buttercup brought two mugs of coffee through. ‘Oh, hiya, Mrs Lavender. Would you like a coffee or a tea?’

‘No, thanks.’ Isobel gave her a polite smile. ‘Will Clover be long?’

‘No, she’s just finishing Mrs Palmer’s acrylics as we speak, so sit yourself down and she’ll be with you in a minute.’

Isobel slipped her shoulder bag off and removed her jacket, then looked pointedly around.

‘Just hang it on the coat stand,’ Bluebell said, nodding towards the corner of the room where said item stood in full view. She rolled her eyes in the mirror at Daisy, who bit her lip. Isobel must have seen the stand, after all. You could hardly miss it. If Bluebell and Buttercup hadn’t been busy, they’d have taken the jacket from her, but as they were, surely it wouldn’t hurt Isobel to hang up her own jacket for once?

Isobel carried out the task, her mouth set in a tight line as if it was all too much trouble, then sat in one of the seats facing Daisy, her arms folded defensively.

She looked, Daisy thought, as if the holiday hadn’t done her much good at all. She certainly wasn’t any happier, judging by her expression, although she had a lovely tan.

‘Did you have a nice time in Portugal then?’ Bluebell asked politely, combing gently through Daisy’s hair.

‘I had a lovely time, thank you,’ Isobel said stiffly. ‘The Algarve is such a stunning area. Have you been there, Bluebell?’

‘Can’t say I have,’ Bluebell admitted. ‘You were at your dad’s place, weren’t you?’

‘Yes. He’s bought a house there. Five bedrooms, three bathrooms, extensive grounds.’ Daisy’s eyes met Bluebell’s in the mirror as Isobel added, ‘And a pool, naturally.’

‘Naturally.’ Bluebell shook her head. ‘Aw, it’s a shame poor Noah couldn’t go with you, what with him being off work and everything.’

Daisy’s heart thudded, her face growing hot at the mention of Noah. She wished Bluebell hadn’t brought him up. She glanced at her reflection in the mirror, wondering if the guilt was visible on her face and considering whether she should just tell Bluebell she’d remembered she’d left the oven on in her flat upstairs and needed to go—wet hair or no wet hair.

‘It was family time,’ Isobel said with a condescending smile. ‘I haven’t seen my father for a while, and my grandmother was with me. We needed some time to be with each other.’

‘Don’t your lot get on with Noah then?’ Bluebell asked, clearly genuinely curious. ‘I can’t imagine why not. He’s a lovely bloke.’

Isobel glanced up as Buttercup hurried to her side.

‘Clover’s sorry to keep you waiting,’ Buttercup said. ‘Are you sure you wouldn’t like a tea or coffee, Mrs Lavender?’

‘I suppose a coffee would be all right,’ Isobel said reluctantly. ‘Black, no sugar.’

‘A please wouldn’t go amiss,’ Bluebell murmured under her breath.

Buttercup nodded. ‘Coming right up.’

‘Right, Daisy, how much are we taking off?’ Bluebell had finished combing through Daisy’s hair and was now looking enquiringly at her, scissors in hand.

‘Maybe half an inch? It’s my fringe that needs trimming the most,’ Daisy said, pulling her fringe over her eyes to show how long it had grown.

Isobel laughed. ‘You look like the old horse that used to pull the rag and bone cart through the town. Do you remember, Bluebell? Big, hairy lump with a shaggy fringe that covered its eyes.’

Bluebell’s mouth fell open and Daisy took a steadying breath.

It’s nothing personal. It’s just the tactless way Isobel speaks to everyone. Stop panicking. She doesn’t know.

Bloody hell, imagine if she did! Daisy could just picture the barbed insults that would wing their way to her if Isobel knew Daisy had been out hiking with her husband four times in recent weeks. Not to mention a visit to East Midham Castle, a meal in a pub, and a recent trip to the theatre in Kirkby Skimmer, where they’d enjoyed a touring production of An Inspector Calls. They’d seen a poster advertising it on a village noticeboard and, upon learning that it was one of Daisy’s favourite films, Noah had booked tickets, admitting he hadn’t seen a performance since he’d studied the text for A level.

‘Yes, well, that’s why I’m here for a trim,’ she managed.

Bluebell’s eyes flashed her indignation on Daisy’s behalf, but Isobel was clearly oblivious.

Buttercup hurried back and handed Isobel a cup and saucer, with a biscuit to go with the coffee. Isobel pulled a face.

‘I don’t want this,’ she announced, holding up the wrapped biscuit. ‘I’ve eaten far too much in Portugal and I need to look after my figure.’

As they all stared at her she added, ‘Noah likes me to stay trim.’

Daisy bristled with annoyance. Was anyone seriously buying this “poor Isobel” rubbish?

‘Aw, never mind. I’ll take it back. Did you have a good holiday then?’ Buttercup asked politely, collecting the biscuit from Isobel.

‘Yes. As I’ve already explained to your mother,’ Isobel said with exaggerated patience, ‘I’ve had a lovely time. It’s just a shame it was only for two weeks. I would have loved to stay longer.’

‘So why didn’t you?’ Bluebell asked bluntly.

‘My father had business to attend to,’ Isobel said coldly. ‘He’s as active as ever and couldn’t take any more time off work. Really, how much longer is Clover going to be?’

‘Surely you and your gran could have stayed there, though,’ Buttercup suggested, ignoring Isobel’s question. ‘Maybe your husband could have flown out to join you. Keep you company.’

Isobel shrugged. ‘Noah and I are going away in October anyway. Half term.’

Noah hadn’t mentioned that! Daisy felt her stomach plummet with disappointment and chided herself immediately. Why should he? It was nothing to do with her!

‘Ooh, where are you going?’ Buttercup asked.

‘Not sure. We’ve not booked yet. It was Noah’s idea so I daresay he’ll make the decision,’ Isobel said. ‘He usually does.’

Daisy’s eyes narrowed. For goodness’ sake!

‘Aw, well, it will do him good to get away,’ Bluebell said, snipping Daisy’s hair. ‘I expect he’s missed you while he’s been away.’ She paused just long enough before adding, ‘Mind you, he had a whale of a time at Dolly’s birthday party.’

Isobel’s head jerked up, causing her coffee to slosh into her saucer.

‘Dolly’s birthday party?’

Daisy didn’t miss the sharpness in Isobel’s tone, and she tried her best to flash Bluebell a warning look. Bluebell, however, either didn’t see it or chose to ignore it.

‘That’s right. Had a great time, didn’t he, Daisy? It was good to see him letting his hair down for a change, and of course, his auntie and Ross were there, and Jonah, too, so he had plenty of company. You were sat with him for a bit as well, weren’t you, Daisy?’

Daisy nearly choked. ‘I was sitting with Bethany and Clive,’ she said quickly, ‘but we were on the same table for a while, yes.’

‘I see.’ Isobel’s jaw twitched.

‘Didn’t you know he went?’ Bluebell asked innocently, raising her eyebrows slightly. ‘I’d have thought he’d have mentioned it. Sorry.’

‘He didn’t,’ Isobel said tightly. ‘But it hardly matters. I went to all sorts of events in the Algarve, and I didn’t mention most of them to him because, why would I?’

‘Mm. Exactly. Anyway, I’m sure he’ll get round to mentioning it one day,’ Bluebell said. She moved round the other side of Daisy so neither of them could see the expression on Isobel’s face, but Daisy could imagine it. She felt a creeping nausea and realised her heart was thumping with anxiety.

The salon fell silent as Bluebell worked, and it felt like an eternity before Clover finally came through, accompanied by a beaming Mrs Palmer. ‘Sorry to keep you waiting, Mrs Lavender. I’ll just take payment then I’ll take you through to the back room.’

‘Oh,’ Isobel said, evidently surprised. ‘You take card payments?’

Mrs Palmer gave a hearty laugh as she tucked her debit card back in her purse. ‘Of course they do! Doesn’t everyone these days? Good job, an’ all, cos I don’t even carry cash any more. I’m like the Queen, God rest her soul. Thanks, Clover, love. You’ve done a smashing job with my nails.’

‘You’re welcome.’ Clover gave Isobel a dubious look. ‘Er, would you like to come through?’

Isobel placed her cup and saucer on the floor and jumped to her feet. ‘Actually,’ she said, ‘since you took so long, I won’t have time for a manicure now. I suppose I’ll have to wait for my regular manicurist. Thanks for the coffee.’ She nodded at her practically untouched drink, snatched her jacket and bag from the coat hook and followed Mrs Palmer out of the salon with barely a goodbye nod to them.

‘Bloody cheek!’ Clover said immediately. ‘Did you hear that? Oh, you take card payments? Where does she think we are—stone age Britain? Stuck up mare. And that means I’ve rushed Mrs Palmer for nothing. Now I’ve got ages to wait for my next client.’

‘Good,’ Buttercup said. ‘You can put them towels on to wash for me, since I’ve just made all the coffees.’

‘Did you see Isobel’s face when I mentioned Noah going to Dolly’s party?’ Bluebell asked gleefully. ‘By heck, she didn’t like that, did she? Serves her right, especially after that cart horse remark aimed at Daisy. Mind you, I reckon that husband of hers is going to get a good grilling when she gets home.’

‘Why did you tell her then?’ Daisy asked reproachfully. ‘You’ve really dropped him in it! If he’d wanted her to know he’d have told her by now.’

‘Oh, come off it,’ Bluebell said dismissively. ‘As if you can keep anything quiet round here. If I hadn’t mentioned it, someone else would have, believe me. You can’t keep secrets in Tuppenny Bridge. Not for long anyway.’

Daisy’s hands twisted in her lap. That was what she was afraid of.