This is another attempt at writing for me. My first story was too personal so I had to delete it after it became difficult to write and share. I have learned my lesson.
The only rights I have to the Twilight Saga are the rights to read and write personal notes in the books I own on my shelf. Stephenie Meyer owns everything else.
Story summary: The coupon for a free hair cut, facial or massage was supposed to bring in new business. Little did the girls know who those customers would be.
It's the first day of school and I can't help but recall my own memories, smiling at the images of me and my two besties during our awkward years of gangly legs, glasses and braces, and laughing quietly to myself.
"Mum, I can't find my shoes! Where are they?" Aiden hollers from the back of the house.
"They aren't my shoes, I don't wear them." I answer back. "If you put them in your closet or the shoe rack like you're supposed to, then you would know where they are."
His response is muffled, and I don't bother to ask for clarification, I'm too busy trying to make a hearty breakfast for their big day. My pancake flipping is interrupted by my middle child Quinn, and his need for me to master over the cowlick that refuses to be tamed, making him look like Alfalfa from Little Rascals. I manage to put it in its place, but intentionally fail to mention it will be short lived. Thank goodness he doesn't look in the mirror more than absolutely necessary, unlike his older brother. Breakfast is finished and I holler down the hall, alerting the children their food is ready. It's amazing how three children can sound like a herd of cattle while running and hollering, excitement taking over for today's event.
"Mummy, can you French braid my hair along the side and put in a flower?" Evy asks with a mouth full of food.
"I can, but only if you finish breakfast in a timely manner and brush your teeth first." I answer and she claps excitedly while bouncing in her seat. "And Evelyn, please don't speak with your mouth full." She doesn't answer, just nods her head as she puts another big bite in her mouth, eating quickly so I can do her hair.
I'm not very hungry; nerves are taking over more than they are for my children, so I settle for a yogurt and eat quietly while listening to the children's small talk between bites. They have a mixed accent, English and Scottish and I love listening to them speak. I, myself have an accent now, similar to their own, just not as strong, but that is because I only lived in northern England for ten years, I wasn't born and raised their like they were. Their accent is still strong, even after living here for a year, but then again, mine hasn't faded much either.
I expected them to be a little scared or nervous for today, starting school, making new friends. But they are young and social butterflies and have seemed to take our move as a new adventure, which is what I was hoping for in the first place. There was a time when there wasn't much laughter around our home, the unexpected death of their father has been hard on all of us, but more so for my oldest Aiden. William was an amazing father and a loving husband. We all missed him terribly. After his death in February last year, I let them finish their school year out, all the while trying to decide if we should stay in Newcastle or if we should move back to the states. I wanted to stay, but everywhere we went was full of memories of William; the parks, the summer house, even little things like food markets and cinemas. Aiden was acting out more often than usual and my in-laws were no help since they lived across the country and had little interest in our family. By the time school was out at the end of May I had made up my mind, called my parents and two best friends, and made the decision to move back home with my parents.
The move didn't take long, the only delay was getting the children permission to leave the country since they were citizens and they didn't have their father's permission. Having to provide proof of death was upsetting, but necessary. I didn't need anyone to think I was kidnapping my own children and causing more trouble.
Boise Idaho was the place I called home from the time I was eleven years old, when my father moved us from Forks Washington after receiving a job transfer, to the time I was 21 and moved to was completely different that Newcastle. Newcastle is one of the largest cities in England and has a rich history and buildings from before the 11th century, whereas Boise's historical district has buildings from the early to mid 1900's. Most of our intercity traveling had been by foot or city transportation, but since moving back I had to purchase a vehicle, and driving wasn't something I had done much of in the last eleven years. I had to retake the written driving test, and almost didn't pass. It was embarrassing. The landscape was different, the lifestyle was much less hectic and it took a while to get use to the American drawl again.
But I was glad to be back, and my parents were thrilled to spend more than a week a year with their grandchildren. We lived with my parents for a year, giving me time to sell the house back home, sort out some things and get back on my feet. My children were spoiled by all the attention from my parents and extended family and they made fast friends with Rose and Alice's children. The summers were spent with many sleepovers, camping trips, water skiing and hikes. I think I had a harder time adjusting more than the kids. They were so busy with my parents or their friends that I had more time to myself than I knew what to do with. After cleaning out the nearest library and gaining a few pounds, Rose suggested I go with her to the gym. It was there that I discovered a love for yoga and all things cardio. After a year, I not only lost those few pounds, but all the baby weight I had gained from my three children, and have some muscle definition which was new. I'll admit, wearing heels was never so much fun as it is now, because I enjoy seeing my calf muscle flex. And who knew that simple house and yard work wasn't so exhausting after becoming accustomed to pushups, holding yoga poses and weights?
"Mum, I found my shoes. Do you know where my back pack is?" Aiden's hollering brought me out of my thoughts and I realized I was now sitting alone at the table, surrounded by dirty dishes, the stack of pancakes and plate of fresh fruit gone.
I stood up and began cleaning up as I answered him. "It is hanging up on the hall tree honey."
"Mummy, I brushed my teeth, can you do my hair now?" Evelyn stood next to me, hands full of hair supplies.
The morning continued, things discovered lost and then found as the kids got ready for their first day of school. By the time I came home from walking them to their bus stop I was exhausted and ready to go back to bed. Too bad, I had a gym date with Rose.
Sweat dripped down my face and I looked around for my towel. "Are you trying to kill me Rose? That class was hard!" I tossed my towel over my shoulder and reached over, grabbing my water bottle and chugged the remaining liquid down. "You didn't tell me that was the advanced yoga class, sheesh! Some friend you are." My face was beet red, I was heaving and sweating in places no lady should. I was disgusting.
"Yeah well you did it, just like I knew you would." Rose answered as she sat up from her laying position from her mat. "And besides, if I told you, you wouldn't have tried." I could only grunt, all my energy was going towards breathing and not passing out. Rose looked smug and I wanted nothing more than to wipe that look off her face, but she was right.
I hate it when she's right.
She is always right.
I didn't answer, just rolled over and got up from the mat, ready to shower. "You owe me. Big. I'm thinking chocolate, lots of it."
The little bell over the salon door chimed as Rose and I walked in together, smelling all nice and clean from our showers at the gym, hair wet and faces glowing.
"Alice, get your little but in here and come make me beautiful!" Rose hollered as I plopped down into one of the salon chairs and twirled around.
I love these chairs. So fun.
"What are you talking about? You're already beautiful!" Alice answered as she entered the main room.
"I know, but we've got to make the clientele think we work magic in this place, so get to work woman!" Rose declared and snapped her fingers.
When I moved back home, my two best friends were in the process of building their own business. They had both gone to cosmetology school years ago but it wasn't until last year they decided they were done working for someone else. My arrival had been perfect timing because they were trying to decide if they wanted to offer massage, and I had earned my license before moving to England. It was then that Curl Up and Dye was born. We opened our doors a few months ago and have a slow but steady clientele building. Every day before we open, the three of us get ready together, Alice justifying that if we can't sell our skills just by looking good, then there was no point in trying. I told her that sounded naughty, but only got laughed at and asked to say naughty again. Apparently my accent made it sound sexy.
Whatever.
Three weeks ago I had a brilliant marketing idea. In the Sunday paper each week for this month only, we put a coupon in for one free hair cut, facial or massage, to get new clients in the door. So far it's been working great and Rose suggested we consider promoting it once or twice a year.
"Any idea what the schedule looks like today Alice?" I asked as she wrapped my hair around the hot iron. I would never admit it out loud, because that would be dangerous, but I loved getting done up for the day. If the girls ever found out though, the tight leash I keep them on in regards to what I'll let them do would be ripped from my hands and who knows what I'd look like. I shivered with the thought.
"Rose has a facial at ten and twelve, then the Mallory wedding party has a three hour block from two to five. And she can help cover any walk-ins we get in between. I'm pretty booked but I have a few kids so keep your fingers crossed they aren't screamers who insist on taking up extra time." Alice had two boys, but they were so well behaved that she had little patience with misbehaved children. I haven't figured out if her boys are so good because she has no patience, or if they are just naturally good and she never had to develop patience. It's a mystery I'm sure I'll never solve, unless she meets some lucky man who can get her to settle down again and give her a naughty child. I snickered, that would be fantastic.
"Bella, you have several massages today, but you have a good break between each one so you don't tire out. I have your schedule on the front desk." Alice gave my hair a final spray and admired her work before sending me off to Rose for a bit of make-up.
When I received the all done from Rose, I tried to jump up from my seat but groaned, my legs more soar that usual due to the crazy yoga session this morning. Instead, I placed my hands on the arm rests and stood slowly and walked across the room like an old lady, groaning.
I might have exaggerated my pain just a little.
Don't judge me, I really wanted that chocolate.
When I looked at my schedule I was surprised at how full it was, but thankful for the small breaks between each session. We advertised for appointments only, but there were often persons who didn't consider things such as schedules and would just come in whenever it suited them. More often than not Rose and Alice would accommodate them, since they could both cover for the other in either hair or makeup, but I was different. There was only me, and so if someone wanted to experience the wonders that are my hands, they had to make an appointment. I noticed I had no one after three thirty and they were only a half hour, so I could possibly make it home early today. I would love to be there when the children got home from their first day of school. Maybe I would make some sugar cookies for them to have when they got home just like Mom use to.
Time flew by, as it always does when I'm busy. So far things have been pretty good. My only complaint was the old lady whose hearing aid rang an annoying high pitch, the entire hour. It was so high I was surprised the neighborhood dogs weren't gathering around the doors. My ears now had a ringing in them and my head hurt. I went to my schedule on the front desk to get the name and double check the time of my next client. It was then that I noticed a red line across the name and a new one written in. I plopped down in the chair, shocked.
"Holy..."
A/N: And there you go.
I need a beta. I have no idea how to get one but I'm sure having one could only make things better, so if you could hook me up, I'd appreciate it. I plan on trying to put at least two chapters a week up. We shall see how things go.
Show me some love.