We walk through the salon towards the crowd, and as we call the word ‘Surprise!’ it reminds me of the day in The Hideaway when Milla came dancing into my living room with her new black hair.
Milla’s first to call out. ‘What the heck?’ She stands up to get a better view. ‘Is that you, Mum?’
I can’t help but laugh now that the tables are turned. ‘She’s joining us on the dark side, Milla. What do you think?’
Milla leads the chorus of shouts and laughter.
‘Sick.’
‘Wowsers!’
‘Good job, Mrs May!’
Nikki’s waiting with her combs and scissors in her pockets. She shows Sophie to the chair, then stands behind her and runs her fingers through the waves as she studies her reflection in the huge wall mirror they’re both looking into. ‘We’re doing a dry cut for you today. How about I put some layers in and follow on with some face framing at the end?’
‘Great!’ Sophie may look like someone other than herself, but she’s still in charge here. ‘And while Nikki’s doing that, we can talk about what’s happening with the sea pool.’
Clemmie’s rolling Arnie’s buggy back and forth, lulling him to sleep as she talks. ‘Charlie found out the council did a design and costing for the restoration work on the pool, but the project was shelved due to budget cuts after the pandemic.’
Plum’s perching on a stool watching Nikki part Sophie’s fake hair into sections, scoop it up onto her head and secure it with clips. ‘If there’s a scheme that’s prepped and ready to go, we’re way ahead of the competition. And if we kick off some local fundraising right away, we’ll soon persuade the people of St Aidan to get behind our pool, not David Byron’s. And once that’s up and running we can look into grant funding to make up the shortfall.’
The shop doorbell rings and we all turn to see whether it’s Nell or Mum arriving.
A second later a very dishevelled George steps into the main salon area. ‘Sorry to disturb you, ladies, I’m here to deliver a message from Nell.’ His normally well-combed hair is sticking out in such random directions he looks like he should be next in Nikki’s chair. ‘She said to tell you she’s set up the social media pages for the sea pool project, and she’s got a fundraiser in the pipeline that’s so awesome she won’t be able to resist coming out to it. She’s suggesting a Barbie and Ken fancy-dress roller skate on the prom!’
The sofa erupts with excitement. ‘Nice one, George.’
I wrap up some of the blondies from the tray and push them into his hands. ‘Would you like a glass of No-secco while you’re here?’
He’s already backing towards the door. ‘It’s Nell’s first time on her own with little George, I’d better hurry back.’
‘Send our love to Nell!’ Sophie’s clapping her hands as she calls after George. ‘Let’s keep those fundraiser ideas coming, ladies!’
Plum starts. ‘How about a sea pool-themed art competition!’
Milla’s got her hand up. ‘We’re hoping Kit would donate a silver friendship-ring-making day, and we’ll all go to that!’ She’s looking directly at me. ‘You’ll talk him into that for us, won’t you, Aunty Floss?’
‘I’ll see what I can do.’ This is Milla putting me on the spot again as Kit’s public loyalty could lie with David, but I’ve already started my own effort. ‘I’ve already done some sea poolOnce they’re gone, they’re gone!Mars bar brownies.’ It sounds so puny compared to everyone else’s ideas and before I know it my mouth runs away with me. ‘And how about a sponsored jump into the harbour?’
Plum’s eyes light up. ‘Brilliant! That’s just the kind of headline-grabbing event we need. You could have stalls and make it like a mini-harbourside festival!’ She has her book and pen out and to my horror she’s taking notes. ‘I’ll put you down for that, Flossie.’
And just like that I’m in over my head – again! But honestly, if it gets David Byron off my case, I won’t mind.
Nikki has been cutting and combing all this time, and as more hair is released from the clips, there’s a surprising amount of dark hair appearing on the floor around Sophie’s chair. Nikki bends down to trim the hair either side of Sophie’s chin, and then she gives the tresses a final comb-through with her fingers and stands back with a mirror in hand to show Sophie the back.
‘Is that okay for you?’
The hair is glossy but much shorter at the front than before. Cut into layers it’s thicker, falling around her shoulders and slightly longer down her back.
Sophie beams at her reflection, and Clemmie pushes me forward. ‘As this whole makeover idea was Floss’s, we’ll lethertake the capes off, and reveal the Sophie we’re going to see for the next couple of weeks.’
I clear my throat. ‘Just a recap of the rules here – Sophie can wear anything at all,so long as I’d wear it myself.’ I’ve actually toned my own clothes down today, so my denim cut-offs and navy polka dot shirt won’t compete with her outfit.
‘If everyone’s ready, I’ll say, ta-da!’ I take hold of the corners of both capes and tug. ‘So, what do you think, Milla?’
Milla lets out a whoop. ‘A bright pink playsuit with lime green flowers? Awesome choice!’ She’s frowning at her mum. ‘You actually look like a mini version of Aunty Flo – which is weird but okay all at the same time!’
Only Sophie with her neat, tiny frame could carry off clothes sizes too big, and still make them work. It’s only as I look at her face, framed by the dark side layers, that it hits me for the first time in our lives how alike our features are.
