Pippa’s eyebrows rose. ‘Ahhh. Yesss. I need to go to the farm shop and old Ben’s first, but by the time I’ve finished, my hair willdefinitelyneed holding in place.’
Christine winked at Pippa and Tom appeared.
‘Fixed. It was just a faulty washer.’
‘Oh wonderful. How much do I owe you, Tom?’
Tom shook his head. ‘Nothing. Maybe a trim?’
Christine beamed. ‘If you don’t mind little ol’ me instead of a barber, I’ll gladly cut your hair for you anytime. How about this afternoon? Any time after three. I want a little advice about a project I might be planning for my storeroom.’
Tom nodded as he walked towards the door. ‘That’s a date.’
He exited the shop, and Pippa winked at Christine. ‘I might be calling in here tomorrow morning as well for another can of hairspray.’
Christine belly laughed. ‘You cheeky beggar.’
***
After getting the supplies, Pippa parked outside Christine Cuts hair salon, and fluffed out her hair as she walked towards the door, making a fuss about the volume of it in case anyone who was looking that way earlier had seen her go in, and now was watching her mysteriously return. She didn’t want to draw suspicion. There was nothing worse than hearing gossip about herself in her own pub.
Christine was sitting in one of the client’s chair sipping a cup of tea and looking out of the large glass shop window as Pippa entered. ‘Get everything you needed?’
‘And some more. There’s no predicting how busy we will be at the moment. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesdays used to be our quiet days, but they are just like weekend days at the moment.’
‘Don’t knock it. I wished they’d call here for a quick trim first.’
Pippa made a sympathetic face. ‘I heard you ask Tom to come back later to take a look at your storeroom. I’m glad you are considering dog grooming. We are after all, a very friendly dog community.’
Christine nodded. ‘Yes, it makes sense. Thank you for the idea... Now, have you come back for that tin of hairspray?’ Christine added a wink.
Pippa fluffed out her hair again. ‘Oh, you know I have.’
Christine patted the other client seat next to hers and Pippa sat down. ‘Well, here’s what the American ladyfreelytold me. Ava used to date Oliver five years ago.’ Pippa’s mouth dropped open. ‘He designed her website. That’s how they first met. Her work is her priority, and they never got to see much of each other, so their relationship sort of fizzled out before it even had a chance to get going. She’s here for work and as Oliver still does updates for her website, she said she thought she could kill two birds with one stone on her visit here.’
‘So she’s here to see Oliver in a working capacity only?’
Christine took a sip of her tea. ‘That...I cannot answer. I can only relay what she freely told me. Although she appeared to be very excited about the lunch date she was about to embark on.’ Christine studied Pippa closely. ‘You’re still carrying a torch for him, aren’t you?’
Pippa’s eyebrows almost disappeared into her hairline. ‘No! Not at all. I’m just as curious as you about the American stranger, that’s all.’
Pippa’s phone rang, and she quickly fished it out of her pocket. She checked the caller ID. It was her aunt. ‘Hello?’
‘Hello Pippa. Are you getting the fish order while you are out?’
‘Yes aunt, I’ve already been and got the fish and other supplies from the farm shop.’
‘Thank goodness. I just received an advanced booking for a large group coming to visit the town in a minibus.’
Pippa’s eyes widened as she looked up at Christine’s wall clock. ‘I’m on my way.’
