Amazing Grace

Chapter 4

Carlos, Monica’s brother, who just happened to be a hairdresser, was a magician in the salon. He worked wonders. He was a dead ringer for Idris Elba and the ladies loved him. As he chatted to Grace, he blended three different shades of deep brown, copper and rich red into her hair and then snipped away.

As he swung the chair round to finally face the mirror, he grinned and said, ‘Ta-dah!’

The mousy, lacklustre, shoulder-length nothing style she’d had for years had been transformed into a funky, flicky bob that Kate Silverton would have been proud of. It knocked years off her and she felt light and carefree for the first time in a very long time.

‘OMG! I love it!’ Grace exclaimed.

‘Darling, you look like spring!’ Monica squealed.

‘Spring?’ Grace enquired.

‘Yes, darling, you looked like winter before. Dull, dreary and miserable. But now you look like spring – exciting and full of promise for the future.’

‘I think there’s a backhanded compliment in there somewhere,’ said Carlos, winking at her. ‘What she’s trying to say is, you look hot, girl!’

‘Right, come on, stop flirting with Carlos, babe, it won’t get you anywhere, I can assure you. He’s so in love and happy with Fernando that they make me want to throw up!’

Carlos stuck out his tongue at his sister and handed Grace over to Fiona, a young and stunning beautician who did stage make-up at the local theatre.

Oh please, Mum! I know I ask loads of favours of you, and it’s normally to find me a fabulous parking space, but please don’t let me leave looking like Widow Twanky!Grace mouthed silently to somewhere up above. She felt soothed, as if someone was reassuringly resting their hand on her shoulder.

After around twenty minutes titivating, Fiona said, ‘It’s time. Close your eyes… and now you can look in the mirror!’ She swung Grace’s chair around.

Grace held her breath, and slowly opened one eye and then the other. She blinked and blinked again. Was that really her? She could not believe it.

‘Is that me?’

‘Sure is! Do you like it?’ Fiona asked nervously.

‘Oh! My! God! What have you done to me? That’s not me, surely?’ She stared straight at the mirror, sideways on and back to straight on. ‘Like it? I bloody love it!’

Fiona laughed. ‘I know I do the stage looks but I’ve been learning how to do subtle make-overs too and how to enhance a person’s natural features. Are you sure you’re happy? You didn’t think you were going to end up looking like a pantomime dame, did you?’ She laughed.

‘God! Of course not!’ Grace said, mentally crossing her fingers at the lie. ‘I’m bloody delighted, Fiona. I’m going to tell everyone about you and how amazing you are! Between you, Carlos and Monica, you’ve transformed me on the outside. Thank you sooo very much.’

‘Well, let me know if you fancy a pizza-and-Prosecco night and I could teach you how to do it for yourself, if you fancy it?’

‘Now you’re talking. Thank you so much, Fiona.’

Monica sniggered. ‘Yes, that’s the outside done, Grace, and you look amazing. We’re ready for our night out and then we just have the inside to work on!’

* * *

My darling girl. I wish you could see yourself through my eyes. I wish I could reach out and touch you and take you in my arms once more. If I could wish for anything in the world, I would wish that you would learn to love yourself. You need to realise just how beautiful you are, inside and out. But you’re not ever going to be able to let love into your life until you love yourself.

I’m so glad that Monica has taken you in hand. I know you are sad and still really struggling with losing me, and I only wish I could help you more. I wish you could feel it when I touch your face and wipe away your tears. I wish you could feel my hand in yours when you sleep at night. I wish you knew how much I still love you even though I can’t be with you in body. I’m just a breath away, my darling. So close but yet so far.

Mum xxx