she waited for Millie to come over, she studied the salon with interest. It was impeccable in terms of style and cleanliness, with glossy hair products lining the shelves, and black and white counters placed strategically throughout, dotted with brushes and sprays and all manner of hairdressing items that would come in handy during an appointment.
‘So, what are you after today, Maria?’ Millie stood behind her and smiled, hands on her shoulders. She began to run her fingers through Maria’s hair, studying the ends and length.
‘Oh, I don’t know. Nothing too drastic, I don’t think. Perhaps just a trim?’
Millie scrutinised Maria’s reflection in the mirror for a moment, her eyes narrowing as she took in Maria’s face. ‘Do you know what would really suit you? A full fringe and perhaps a new colour, too. Just to spruce you up a bit.’
Maria laughed. ‘No way! This has been my style and colour for as long as I can remember.’
‘All the more reason to try something new then,’ shrugged Millie. ‘Go on. Honestly, you’d look fantastic with a few layers to give it some volume.’ She puffed up Maria’s hair and tilted her head as she studied it some more. ‘You have amazing cheekbones as well, the fringe would shape your face just right.’ With a knowledgeable nod, she waited for Maria to decide.
Maria licked her lips nervously. Was it time for a change? Maybe something different was exactly what she needed to begin the brand-new, Mike-less version of herself? She’d always played it safe previously, worried in case it turned out that Mike didn’t like whatever she decided to try. But it wasn’t Mike’s hair, was it? It was hers. She was sick to her back teeth of trying to please everyone else except the one person who mattered most. Herself. No. Bugger it. Her life had changed in the blink of an eye, it was only right that her hair was part of the process too, and she felt like she was in capable hands with Millie. Well, she sounded like she knew what she was talking about, and once again, it was all about taking that chance.
‘Do you know what? I think you’re right,’ Maria decided. ‘I’m going to go for something new. It’s been so long since I’ve done anything different. Let’s go for a fringe and a new colour. It’ll be nice to see something different when I look in the mirror. I’ve been staring at the same old mop for far too long now.’
Millie grinned with excitement and gave a little clap. ‘Excellent choice.’
Maria sat back and relaxed as Millie brushed out her hair. It was just past her shoulders now, although not in the best condition she had to admit, probably from all of those times she’d shoved it up into an unwashed, greasy ponytail and left it there, not caring about how she looked. No doubt the bad treatment had caught up and had its effects. Fingers crossed that once Millie was finished, it would look and feel completely different.
Just over an hour and a half later, Maria stepped out of the salon alongside Millie, who’d finished her shift, and grinned when her new friend turned to look at her for the third time since she’d left the chair.
‘I can’t believe how brilliant it looks. You look like a brand new woman.’
‘Mission accomplished then,’ Maria laughed, running a hand through her softer, shinier locks. ‘Millie, I love it. Thank you so much.’ It felt silky smooth and she loved the fringe and caramel colour. It was only a small step towards getting her confidence back, but who knew how much a simple haircut could boost a woman up? She felt so wonderful, she could have flung her arms around Millie right there and then.
‘Right,’ Millie announced. ‘Now that you’re feeling fabulous and I’ve finished work, fancy a quick drink in the pub? It’s only around the corner. Mum’s got Susie and she won’t mind keeping her for a little while longer. I’ll send her a quick text to let her know I’ll be a bit later.’
‘Go on, then,’ nodded Maria, wanting to make the most of this new friendship she’d found. She felt carefree and footloose. She had a feeling that Millie’s sunny company was something to do with it. It was near impossible to feel glum when around her, which was exactly the sort of person Maria wanted to spend time with. Millie’s chatter and fascination in everything from celebrities to food did a brilliant job of keeping the realities of Maria’s life at bay. ‘Let’s go,’ she grinned.
*
The Rose and Horn was situated perfectly beside a magnificent lake, the same lake – Maria guessed – as the one Harriet had referred to the day before. When they arrived, Millie went inside and ordered their drinks at the bar before returning to the table out front. It felt nice to be sat in the late-afternoon sunshine. Maria swallowed a mouthful of the cool beer and relaxed, completely at ease in her surroundings. It was calm and beautiful and something she realised she hadn’t done for a long time.
‘This is lovely, isn’t it? I had no idea the pub was even here,’ she commented with another glance around the area. A few bees buzzed about the overflowing flower pots outside the pub, and the lake, when she looked towards it, was surrounded by ancient oak trees.
‘Yeah,’ Millie nodded. ‘It’s hidden away but I love it here too. I had my twenty-ninth birthday party here. It was a great night. Maxine and Paul, the people who own the pub, are so friendly and welcoming. I think they add to the charm of it, especially for newcomers. Anyway, I’m curious. What brings you to Loland Green, Maria?’
‘I’m on holiday,’ Maria began. ‘One of my mum’s friends owns a holiday cottage over on Daffodil Lane. She’s letting me stay there for the summer which is incredibly kind of her. It needs a lick of paint so that’s my job while I’m here too. I wasn’t too keen on the idea at first but now that I’m here, I can see why she’s planning on renting it out. It’s the perfect place to spend the summer in.’
‘And you’re on your own?’ Millie asked.
Maria nodded and swirled one of the beer mats around with her fingertip. ‘I am. I may as well be honest. I’ve just come out the other side of a divorce so I needed to get away for a while. You know, take some time out.’
‘Wow.’ Millie’s eyes widened. She clearly hadn’t expected that.
‘Yes, that’s how I feel about it all too. It came as quite a shock. Knocked me for six.’ Maria laughed lightly.
‘God, I’m sorry to hear that.’ Millie sighed sadly, her shoulders dropping. ‘What happened, if you don’t mind me asking?’
In any other instance, Maria would have hesitated in telling someone such details about her life – but with Millie, as well as Harriet, she felt like she didn’t have to hold back. They were both open, friendly, and didn’t seem the type to gossip, so there was nothing stopping Maria from telling Millie about what had happened. She decided to go for it. These women had made her feel completely welcome and she didn’t want to hide from them. Plus, without having been conscious of it, she’d somehow decided that despite her original hesitancy in making friends, it actually wasn’t a bad idea after all.
‘He couldn’t keep his hands to himself,’ she said simply. She glugged more beer. The reality of it still left a bitter taste in her mouth and the beverage did a fantastic job of washing it down.
‘Bloody hell, Maria. That’s terrible. What a bastard.’
‘I know,’ she nodded. ‘Still, the more I think about it, perhaps it’s for the best that it all happened. It’s an odd thing to say, I know, but Mike didn’t confess. I found out myself. I reckon that if
