“Your highlights will look beautiful in the sunlight,” Susan said. “But wait until we finish. Make-up and clothes come next.”
“Maybe I should try one thing at a time. The hair is change enough for now.”
“Don’t be a coward.” Christina propelled her from the hairdresser salon with a firm hand in the small of her back.
“But I need to pay,” Maggie said, digging in her heels.
“I’ve got it,” Julia said in a decisive manner. “This is my treat.”
Maggie found herself hustled down the busy street, full of Saturday shoppers. Cars crammed the hectic intersection, fumes heavy in the air when they paused at the lights for the pedestrian signal to turn green.
Susan sneezed when a bus sped past. “Tell me why this is a good idea again.”
“That’s what I want to know,” Maggie inserted before the others could answer.
“Forget it,” Christina said. “I’ve wanted to get my hooks into you for a long time and you’re not wriggling out of this makeover.”
“Light’s green. Let’s go,” Julia said, linking her arm through Maggie’s. “I’ve got her. She won’t get away from me.”
“If I’m naughty, will you spank me?” Maggie said in a loud voice.
“Really,” an elderly lady said with a sniff. With a withering stare in their direction, she led her young grandchildren across the road.
“Oops,” Maggie said. “I didn’t mean to offend anyone.”
“Too late,” Julia said, tugging on her arm. “Let’s go before the wee man blinks red.”
They crossed the road and headed for Smith and Caughey, a well-known Newmarket institution. A wave of perfume greeted them when they entered the make-up department.
“Where to?” Maggie asked, accepting that her friends wouldn’t let her change her mind. She hoped Connor liked the result.Connor. Holy Hannah. What was she thinking? It didn’t matter if he liked the result or not. They were friends and casual lovers. That was all. She was taking part in the makeover because she wanted it. She wasn’t going through this for a man.
“Over here,” Christina said. “I have a deal I’ve worked out with this company. I enjoy their products and they do both skincare and cosmetics. They don’t do animal testing on their products either. What?” she said. “I care for animals and the environment and want to do my bit.”
“Of course you do,” Susan said.
“We’re impressed you’re incorporating that sort of thing into your new business,” Julia added. “Some businesses go for the easiest and quickest way to make money.”
“Not me,” Christina said. “I made a list before I started. I’ve always used natural cosmetics and I wanted to continue. It was important.”
“You’ve never mentioned it before,” Maggie said.
“You said nothing about spanking before,” Christina countered.
Julia licked a finger and pretended to mark an invisible scoreboard. “Touché. We all have our secrets and hot buttons we don’t discuss in case people laugh or tease us.”
Christina stopped in front of a make-up counter and pushed Maggie onto a high stool. “We have to pick up this conversation again. Next time we have drinks at the pub. I don’t care if it’s a Friday night or not.”
Julia chuckled, but Maggie thought her response held uneasiness. It made her wonder what was going on in Julia’s life. She thought about Friday night drinks and shuddered. She knew there was one secret she’d never spill, no matter how many margaritas she drank.
An assistant arrived, a bright smile on her face. Christina explained what she wanted, and Maggie found herself under the spotlight again.
An hour later, she stared in the mirror in shock. Although she wore make-up, she had done little with it or purchased new products in ages. “I didn’t realize it would make such a big difference.”
“You look gorgeous,” Julia said. “And I know just the outfit to top off your new look. Susan and I have scouted clothing for you.”
A whirlwind shopping trip later, they went back to Maggie’s apartment and collapsed with a bottle of wine and Thai takeout.
Julia waved her glass of wine in the air. “Maggie, I didn’t know you were so curvy. You’ve got a great figure.”
