Christmas at the Farmhouse - Rebecca Boxall Page 0,48

of her perfume, which was subtle and expensive-smelling. I’ve always been happy in my own skin but suddenly I longed to be like her.

‘I’m not sure. I’ve always resisted going short. With the waves and the silver bits I’m worried about looking like a grey cloud.’

Liz laughed. ‘Well, we’re going to deal with those silver bits,’ she said. ‘And we can keep them at bay if you’re willing to come in every month or so. But I agree, we shouldn’t go too short: your hair’s too thick for that. You need more of a style, though. Let’s take a couple of inches off and put in some subtle layers and some nice shaping around the front. What do you think?’

‘Sounds perfect,’ I smiled.

‘And colour-wise, I think we should just try to match your natural shade. It’s beautiful. Happy with that?’

‘Absolutely.’ I felt like I was in very good hands.

‘I’m just going to mix up the colour. Sandra will get you some mags and a drink. What would you like? Champagne, juice, tea, coffee?’ I was sorely tempted by the champagne, but, as it was only ten o’clock, I opted for coffee, which arrived looking frothy and comforting. As Liz pasted gloop onto my scalp, I sipped at the drink and studied Hello! magazine intently, interested in all the ‘perfect’ weddings and births that seemed to exist in the world of the unreachable, airbrushed celebrities.

A couple of hours later, spent mainly dealing with a flurry of messages and an important telephone call while Liz worked away, she told me we were done.

‘What do you think?’ she asked anxiously, holding a hand mirror up so I could see the back of my hair. I studied myself for a moment before answering. I looked ten years younger! How was it possible for a haircut and colour and a decent blow dry to do that? It was like magic.

‘You’re an angel,’ I said to her. ‘I can’t believe it!’

Liz smiled. ‘You’ve got to keep it up now. Promise me?’ she asked.

‘I promise,’ I agreed. I had a feeling Magnus wouldn’t begrudge me this luxury once a month, having got the ball rolling.

‘Have a wonderful Christmas,’ Liz said as I pulled on my coat and made my way towards the door.

‘You too,’ I replied. ‘You deserve one!’

***

When I arrived home I found everyone sitting around the kitchen table eating lunch. As I walked in, I honestly felt like a film star. Heidi wasn’t there (presumably she was giving Violet her bottle in the sitting room) but the rest of the family just stared at me. Then they were full of wonderful compliments.

‘Mum, I didn’t recognise you!’ said Freja, jumping up to hug me.

‘You look a million dollars,’ Lucas agreed.

‘Pretty Granny, yes?’ said Percy.

‘Worth every penny,’ Magnus chipped in.

‘Well, it was all my idea!’ smiled Astrid, laying claim to what had indeed been a truly brilliant surprise.

‘You’re all too kind,’ I said, joining them at the table where Magnus dished out soup and Lucas passed me the bread. I poured myself some wine.

‘So what’s been happening?’ I asked.

‘Xav and Jack have both messaged to say they’ll be here in time for the evening meal. Should be interesting! I said we’re eating at eight… is that right?’ Astrid replied.

‘Always at eight,’ I agreed. ‘We’ll have presents before, though, by the fire, while we have drinks. The little ones can have a couple of presents each after their tea before they go up to bed. I’m going to make up a little camp in Magnus’s office for the twins and Percy.’ Magnus looked suitably horrified, but we were pressed for space, especially as I had plans for one of the bedrooms in the attic. I would put Mikkel and Belle in the other one so they could keep an eye on the children. ‘It’s not for long,’ I told him and he sighed, resigned.

‘Are you sure about Sunny coming over?’ Freja asked, pulling a face.

‘It’s only kind,’ I told her. ‘Tell him to be here for eight, too. That way, there won’t be too many of us when we’re exchanging gifts.’

‘Oh, okay,’ she agreed, as resigned as Magnus. Then she stood up and announced she was off to put her feet up. Astrid said she needed to wash her hair, so the rest of us cleared up while Percy sat at the table and did some colouring. Once the tidying up was dealt with, Magnus and Lucas took Percy through to the sitting room to play some board