Chapter 6

Angela cringed when she saw the bill. Richard just entered his PIN without worrying. The girl smiled, her commission from this sale would be very useful.

Back in the street Richard carried the kit to his car. He had added a few bits for himself but otherwise this was all Angela’s.

The young lady made to get into the car but Richard stopped her.

“We’re not done here.”

This time they went to the mobile phone shop and organised mobiles for Angela and Joan.

“Richard, why are you doing all this?”

“Because you can’t afford it yourself yet.”

“What about the holiday? Mum and I always stay at home at Christmas.” She paused, wondering if she should add ‘and Dad’.

“Angela, you and your mum need a break—a real break. I promise when we get back things will return to normal.”

They walked round to Sandy’s salon as Joan was getting out of the chair, Sandy took Angela and put her in the chair, in her mum’s place.

“What’s going on?”

“Settle down dear, you’ll have permanent worry lines if you’re not careful.” Sandy had a way with words.

“What are you going to do?”

“The works. Elsie, can you arrange a pick-up in a couple of hours?”

“Certainly.”

“Right, here we go. Mr Smart, we don’t need you here, please take Joan home.”

Richard knew not to argue, the women were in command right now. Of course it didn’t matter to him, he had other things to do.

Next stop was the winter sports shop, this time Joan was kitted out. She didn’t argue once.

An hour later they were back at the cottage. Joan was clearing the coffee cups away when the bell rang; looking outside she saw a delivery van. Five minutes later they were loading the fridge, freezer and cupboards.

“Richard, how can I ever repay you, after all I don’t even have any money right now.”

“Joan, think of this as a gift. If you prefer then wait until you receive your pay, but I’m not worried. Please don’t think I’m flaunting my money, it’s just that you’ve had a rough time of late and deserve some TLC.”

Joan sat down and pulled Richard with her. She hugged Richard but started crying. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, it’s just that no-one has ever done anything just for me before. Thank you. Thank you.” She released him, but only far enough so she could give Richard a long kiss.

After a few minutes Richard had detached himself and stood, still holding Joan’s hand. “Joan, I’m sorry but I have to get back to the house. Why don’t you come over later for dinner?”

“What about all this food?”

“You can treat me and Tammy tomorrow, if you want.”

“Okay, I’ll drive over at six, oh!.”

“What?”

“There’s the insurances, electric, phone, water and probably loads more to deal with.”

“We’ll sort those out tomorrow, Joan, I’m sure that’ll be soon enough.”

Richard drove to the McPherson house, offloading the winter sports gear. Leanne came out to help, then found somewhere to store them, but Richard had no idea where.

The school minibus brought Tammy home, that had never happened before. She went straight to her room for a shower and fresh clothes. Angela was dropped at the cottage by Elsie who drove home, satisfied with her efforts.

Joan hugged Angela as she came through the door then just stared.

“Wow.”

At six, the McPherson, Smart and Small clans, or at least those available, gathered in Elsie’s sitting room. Joan and Angela looked fantastic, they’d both had ‘the works’, including a trip into Joanne’s torture chamber for a waxing.

Angela had not been happy with Joanne’s explanation of what she would do, especially when the Brazilian was mentioned. Joanne explained about swimwear and added that Tammy had been a recent repeat victim.

Angela couldn’t argue that her legs felt a lot better under her tights, although Joanne had asked that she take them off as soon as she arrived at home.

Sandy had targeted Angela’s hair, cutting it into a more feminine style then putting some blond highlights in. Her eyebrows were thinned then her ears were pieced.

Angela now had the option of not wearing the wig but still appearing female. Elsie urged her to leave the wig off, just to try it for now. Sandy gave Angela a facial then made her face up, while a girl worked on her nails.

All told, the effect was amazing. Joan, was still Joan but with a new fresh look, definitely better than before. Angela was a new girl all together.

As a group they headed for dinner, each chatting about their day. Tammy had expected to tell all about her first day at school as a girl, but stayed quiet as Angela gushed.

Tammy finally talked to her Dad after the Smalls had gone home and Elsie slipped upstairs.

“What’s going on, Dad?”

“In what way?”

“You know.”

“No I don’t. Now, stop talking in riddles.”

“Are you in love with Joan?”

“That’s a very personal question.”

“So, no denial then?”

“I didn’t say that.”

“Dad, answer the question?”

“Look, I like her a lot but it doesn’t go any further than that. She needs support right now and both Elsie and myself are giving her that. Any more questions?”

“No.”

Tammy walked to her room with wonder. A few minutes later she was in bed, fast asleep.