Page 7 of When Sparks Fly

Hopefully that will help what? Is she really on a mission to pair me off with someone tonight? I’m assuming my mum has told her that I’m single, even if she hasn’t gone into the details, but damn.

‘Help what exactly?’ I dare to ask.

Mel looks at me like the answer is obvious.

‘Your whole… vibe.’

She waves her hand around vaguely.

‘My vibe…’

‘You know, sometimes a hair refresh is the first step towards a new beginning.’

‘I washed it,’ I insist, in case it wasn’t obvious.

‘Actually…’ she says slowly, ignoring me. ‘You know what would really suit you?’

I immediately don’t trust that tone.

‘What?’

‘Going brown, for the autumn – everyone goes dark with their hair, when the season changes,’ she tells me.

I’m sure that’s true for everyone.

‘Nah, you know what? I think I’m a blonde, through and through. I’m too pale for darker hair,’ I say, trying not to seem like a bad sport, but absolutely being one.

‘Okay then, what about face-framing money pieces?’ she suggests.

‘You should go for it,’ Angie adds. ‘She freshened mine up, before we came here…’

‘Yeah, okay, maybe next time you’re doing Angie’s,’ I say, hoping I can find a way to get out of that when the time comes.

‘I still have some colour in my bag,’ she says giddily. ‘I’ll do it now. It’s just the front pieces, so we don’t need to wash all of your hair again. Oh my God, I’m so excited!’

‘Erm…’

‘You’re going to look amazing with softer pieces around the front,’ Mel continues. ‘And it will make you look all autumnal and mysterious.’

Do I want to look mysterious? Anonymous, perhaps.

Mel slaps product on my hair before I can stop her. I suppose I could have protested harder but, I don’t know, maybe the change will do me good. Maybe…

Ah, I’m sure it will be fine. With the vibes I’m giving off at the moment, it’s going to take a lot more than a bit of red lippy to get me a man.

5

I hover outside The Hopeful Ghost pub for a second, psyching myself up to walk through the doors. I used to drink here, back when I was a teen, and in some ways it seems no different, but you can tell the place has had a contemporary makeover. Sure, it still has its country pub charm, but they’ve obviously jazzed it up to appeal to the younger people in Marram Bay, and all the tourists that stop by our popular seaside town. It’s not exactly a cocktail bar in the centre of London, but I’ll bet it has more to offer than beer, cider and spirits – not that I minded that when I was a teen.

Warm fairy lights glow through the windows, making the place look inviting. Anytime anyone opens the door I feel the heat rush outside, tempting me in.

I told the girls I would meet them inside, saying that I needed to make a quick call, but really all I wanted was a few seconds to give myself a pep talk. It’s weird but every time I do something like this – something that feels like retracing my steps – I have a bit of a wobble. How can I move on with my life when it feels like I’m only going backwards?

Oh well, enough of the pity party – it’s too chilly to ‘celebrate’ for too long – it’s time to join my friends.

It doesn’t take me long to spot Mel and Angie – Mel has always had one of those laughs that you can pick out in a crowd.

‘Right, sorry, that’s all sorted,’ I tell them as I join them.