Free Where I Found You by Amanda Brooke Page A

Kathy could interrogate her further, the door jangled again. Harvey stood up and began to wag his tail furiously but it was the aroma of chamomile and cloves that gave away the identity of the salon’s latest arrival.
    ‘I didn’t expect to see you here on your day off. Is it a social call or have you chipped a fingernail?’ asked Maggie.
    ‘Neither,’ Jenny replied.
    Maggie waited for her to explain further but Jenny was being reticent for a change. ‘Don’t tell me Mark’s getting his hair done,’ Maggie asked as she turned her attention to the person she heard soothing a grumbling Lily.
    ‘There’s no way I’m handing over my gorgeous husband to one of these vixens. No offence, Kathy.’
    ‘None taken,’ Kathy replied. ‘In fact, I think my girls would take it as a compliment.’
    Mark cleared his throat to get their attention. ‘Actually, I’m on babysitting duties this afternoon.’
    The growled response from Jenny was no doubt as he intended. ‘It’s not called babysitting when it’s your own daughter.’
    ‘You should be grateful he’s willing to help you out at all,’ interjected Kathy.
    ‘This joke is wearing very thin,’ Jenny warned.
    ‘Who was joking?’
    ‘Will you two stop teasing her,’ Maggie said before Jenny started hyperventilating. ‘Now is someone going to tell me what’s going on? If you’re here to see me then I’m afraid I can’t hang around. I need to get ready for Mrs Smith …’ Her voice trailed off as she finally recognised the deceit. ‘ You’re Mrs Smith?’
    ‘I’m being treated to a day of pampering by my darling husband and that includes a relaxing massage.’
    Maggie folded her arms and gave them a stern look. ‘So why go to the trouble of booking an appointment under a false name – and a pretty unimaginative one at that.’
    ‘I picked that,’ Kathy added curtly.
    ‘Did you know?’ Maggie asked, redirecting her glare at Kathy.
    ‘Jenny wanted you to treat her like any other client – or should I say, charge her like any other client. If it was left to you to manage your own business affairs, you’d have gone bankrupt in the first month.’
    ‘I’m not so busy or desperate that I can’t help out a friend now and again.’
    ‘Except half of your clients would end up being treated like friends if you had your way,’ Kathy insisted.
    Maggie raised a hand in submission. In her own mind, she offered a therapeutic service to people in need which often made it difficult to see them simply as clients and it was undoubtedly Kathy’s business acumen that kept Maggie’s accounts in the black. What had started out as a simple agreement to provide space and reception services for Maggie’s business had quickly developed into Kathy becoming a not-so-silent partner. ‘I don’t suppose there’s any point in arguing?’
    ‘None,’ Jenny and Kathy said in unison. ‘Besides, it’s Mark’s treat.’
    ‘And it’s my pleasure. I don’t know how she manages to take care of us all but even with her boundless energy, she needs to recharge her batteries now and again.’
    ‘You work hard too,’ Jenny reminded him.
    ‘Ah, but I couldn’t do what you do. I’m only a man, not good at multitasking like you ladies.’
    Maggie sensed Kathy preparing to stick her fingers down her throat so she jumped in to divert the conversation. ‘Mark, do you ever remember seeing any swans in Victoria Park?’ she asked. He was the only one of the group who had lived in Sedgefield all of his life.
    ‘No, I can’t say I have.’
    Undeterred, Maggie tried another tack. ‘Ever heard of a shop in Sedgefield called Flo’s Fruit and Veg?’ She heard Kathy sigh; she had heard these questions before.
    ‘No.’
    ‘Not ever?’
    ‘Ah, has it got something to do with this ghost of yours?’ he asked.
    Jenny nudged Mark so hard that he let out a short gasp. ‘You’re not allowed to use the “G” word.’
    ‘And that would be because I don’t think she is a