“Me too. But you’re new job is with a much bigger salon that will teach you more than I ever could. I’ve loved being your teacher so far, but you have a great talent, and you should go out there and learn how to make the most of it,” Tina tells me. “Besides, Justine is bringing me a new trainee next week. I won’t be on my own for long.” She winks, balancing a large chilli prawn between her chopsticks and placing it in her mouth.
I watch her eating for a moment. I really am going to miss her. But I knew this day would come. Tina’s salon isn’t busy enough to pay two full time hairdressers, so I needed to start job hunting before I finished my training. In a way, it’s for the best. Me leaving, means that Tina can train another girl and give her the same chance in life that I now have.
Next Monday, I’m starting work at a busy salon in Parramatta. I’m nervous that I won’t be good enough to perform well under the pressure of a constant stream of clients.
Tina assures me I’ll do great. But, time will tell.
Chapter Forty-Six
“Who’s next?” I ask our salon hand, Tiffany, as I finish taking a client’s payment for her cut and blow dry.
“That guy over there,” she says, indicating a blond man sitting in the chair to the furthest end of the salon. “He’s just after a cut.”
“Great. Thanks.” I grab a black topped stool and slide it down the salon, so I’ll be able to use it as I neaten up this client’s hair. Selecting a black salon cape, I shake it out and slide it over his clothing, introducing myself as I do.
“Hi, I’m Paige. What can I do for you today?” I ask him, as I secure the clasps behind his neck. It’s then that I look at his face in the mirror.
“Paige,” he smiles. His blue eyes dancing in the light as they meet mine via our reflections.
“Matthew. I didn’t…I never…” I stammer, completely stunned at his sudden reappearance in my life.
“Never thought you’d see me again?” he finishes for me. “I didn’t either. I can’t believe it’s really you.”
“Um…” My hand flutters up and touches my temple as if there’s a pain there, but I’m just uncomfortable. Seeing Matthew reminds me of so many bad decisions, and I don’t want to think about one of them.
“How are you? How have you been?” he asks.
“Um…” I say again. My words seem to evade me, so I turn to the safety of business instead of answering. “What kind of hair cut were you after?”
“Just a trim,” he tells me, watching me intently in the mirror.
My face feels like it’s burning. I’m not sure how to handle this right now. Never, in a million years, did I think I’d ever see him again.
I focus on cutting his hair, doing my best to avoid any sort of eye contact as I work as quickly as I can.
“Won’t you talk to me?” he says after a while.
I glance at him briefly and shake my head. “Not here Matthew. This is my work.”
“Well, can I meet you later? Talk over dinner or even drinks?”
“I don’t know.”
“Please Paige. I’d really like to spend some time with you. What time do you get off work?”
“Six.”
“Then I’ll be waiting outside at six.”
***
I hang back and offer to clean things that don’t need cleaning. I can see Matthew waiting for me outside, and I don’t particularly want to go out there. Really, I wanted to tell him no earlier. But something made me agree. There’s something about him that clouds my judgement, the same as it did all those years ago. I’ve made enough stupid decisions to last me a lifetime. I’m hoping that if I stay inside long enough, he’ll get bored and leave.
“Paige. Out,” my boss orders, his hand on the door. “You’ve worked enough for the day. I’ve got paperwork to do. Go and have some fun or something.”
“I can help you with your paper work if you like,” I offer.
“There’s no need. Get some sleep, and I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Alright,” I concede, as I reluctantly pick up my bag and head outside.
Matthew walks over to me immediately, his hands in the pockets of his beaten up brown leather jacket. “I thought you were trying to stand me up,” he grins.
“No such luck,” I deadpan back at him.
“So where to? You hungry?”