Winter at Pretty Beach by Polly Babbington (inspirational books txt) 📕

‘Yes, I really, really, do.’

Sallie gazed out of the window and thought about the naming ceremony. She loved being part of Nina’s new journey with Tillie - Nina having a baby and becoming a parent had done two things for Sallie. Firstly, it had made her see the joy of being a parent firsthand and how it had changed Nina for the better. Secondly, it had made her realise that the want she’d had buried deep down inside for so very long and had strived to ignore, was still very much alive and kicking.

Chapter 8

Sallie had finished up planning menus with the caterer and had left work early to go to the hairdressers. Since the first meeting courtesy of Holly with the team of hair and beauty experts before the date with Ben, when she had been primped and polished, she’d made a vow to herself to look after herself more. She couldn’t be doing with the whole ‘me-time’ thing, but now she had a decent income she had committed to going to the hairdressers every couple of months - it was a whole lot easier than fiddling with a box dye in the bathroom.

She’d loved what Kim had done to her hair before, adding honey highlights of blonde and caramel to the supermarket dye and Sallie had warmed to Kim right away - Kim hadn’t looked down her nose at what was going on with Sallie’s hair, but rather got on with the job in hand and was only concerned about Sallie being happy with the result and Sallie loved that attitude.

Sallie pushed open the door to Ivory Hair and was greeted by the scent of a strong lemon-scented candle, a huge display of flowers and a small, vacant-looking receptionist who smiled at Sallie, looked at the computer and clicked a few things and led her to a seat at the far end of the salon.

‘Kim’ll be with you soon,’ said the vacant-looking receptionist, pulling out a chair. Sallie sat down and put her bag under the mirror.

The salon was as it had been every time she had been there - every station was taken, but the way it had been designed meant it was still quiet and calm and instead of the trendy music in other salons she’d been to in the past, Kim’s place had a playlist playing softly in the background. Flowers stood on all the counters and essential oils wafted from carefully placed diffusers. Sallie sat back in the chair and almost hoped that Kim was delayed. The atmosphere was so tranquil and calm she could almost have a little nap.

Kim appeared from the back, her cheeks flushed with bronze, a slash of coral on her lips, her eyes bright and cheerful.

‘How are you? It seems like only yesterday you were last here and not that long ago I was at your place... before all the excitement, weddings, births...’

‘I know time is flying by.’ Sallie sat forward as Kim pulled the black gown around her neck and did it up at the back.

‘Talking of births, how’s Nina? I haven’t seen her for a while, I think she comes in on my day off,’ Kim asked.

‘She’s good. Though she’s been a bit on and off with a bad wheezy cough - turns out it’s asthma. She went to the doctor recently and that was the diagnosis.’

‘Oh dear, that’s not good. My cousin had adult-onset asthma - it’s really nasty. She ended up in hospital a couple of times with it in the end.’ Kim was clearly concerned.

‘Funny you should say that, you're not the first person I’ve heard that from. I’ve tried to tell her to slow down a bit, you know what she’s like. At least she’s been to the doctor now though, and knows what it is.’

‘Yeah, you have to be careful, everyone thinks asthma just means one of those puffers, but it’s quite serious, you can get very ill with it.’ Kim picked up a piece of Sallie’s hair and gazed down at the colour.

‘Same as usual, or are we going for something a bit more dramatic this time? Maybe a pink?’ She laughed.

Sallie looked back alarmed, ‘No pink hair for me Kim, caramel slices are the closest I get to experimenting.’

‘What about the Christening, oops I mean naming ceremony, has Nina set a date yet? The last time she was in she said she was starting to organize it and it would be in the Orangery, is that still the plan?’

‘Yep, all being planned. She decided to go for it rather than wait until the warmer weather, we’re going with a festive scene, lots of cosy throws, pretty lights and mulled wine. I've started to pray for continued snow.’

Chapter 9

Sallie sat on the train with Holly and Xian as it sped along through the countryside, and made its way to the city.

Holly had her phone on her lap, the notes app open and was making a list of exactly what she wanted to buy. Xian had her tablet propped up on the table, a chocolate muffin beside it on top of a paper bag. Xian stared at the tablet, occasionally swiping up as she looked at share prices. Sallie sitting beside her glanced over to the tablet and a sea of figures and numbers.

‘I don’t know how you understand all that Xian,’ Sallie said, leaning over and peering at the screen.

‘Me either,’ Holly said.

‘It looks like a jumble of numbers to me,’ Sallie said and laughed.

Xian took a small flask out of her handbag, poured some of her special drink into the cup and took a large swig, ‘You get used to it. I started dabbling with a few pounds and it’s now grown.’

‘That’s an understatement if ever I’ve heard one,’ Holly replied.

Xian took another sip of her special drink, tutted at Holly and sat back in her chair.

‘Anyway, enough of those boring old numbers. What are we going to buy today? I