Two Strangers by Beryl Matthews

wondered if he would turn up again, but he never had. And when she tried to remember every detail about the man at the station, she had the impression that he had been tense and harassed, and yet he had taken the time to stop and help a young girl in desperate need. She worried about them.

    ‘My word,’ Sid turned slowly to study everything, ‘you girls have worked hard.’
    ‘They certainly have.’ Bob nodded his approval. ‘It’s all very tasteful, and the colour scheme has a calming effect.’
    ‘The colours were Vicki’s idea,’ Flo said, ‘and I’m pleased the way it has turned out. We have the look I was aiming for. The bookings are already coming in, so we are going to open on Tuesday.’
    While the opening was being discussed, Vicki went over to Harry. ‘Have you been able to find out anything yet?’
    ‘I haven’t had much time, but the coat of arms on the book belongs to the Ashington family. George Ashington was born in 1796 and made his fortune in trade. As far as I can discover, he had three ships carrying cargoes of all kinds. His descendants inherited great wealth, and I’ll start looking into this further as soon as Bob finds a lad for the barber’s.’ Harry spoke loud enough for everyone to hear, making them laugh.
    ‘I’m trying,’ Bob told him, ‘but why don’t you just admit you’re enjoying yourself in the shop?’
    ‘Can’t look gloomy, can I? I’d never get any tips if I scowled at the customers.’ He gave Vicki a sly wink. ‘As I was saying, the Ashingtons’ home was sold some years ago. Perhaps the contents were sold as well and that was how your stranger got hold of the book, but I’ll try to find someone in the family. It won’t be easy …’ He glanced across at Bob. ‘And it will take time!’
    Bob just smiled and said nothing.
    The first two days of business were slow, but, as the week went by, they became busier and busier, and when they had locked up at the end of Saturday, Flo and Vicki collapsed into chairs, smiles on their faces.

    ‘What a week!’
    Vicki agreed, her smile broadening. ‘And the appointment book for next week is filling nicely. Your shop is going to be a success.’
    ‘ Our shop, my dear. This is our shop.’ She laughed softly. ‘Two customers have said they want their hair cut like yours. You’re setting a new trend, Vicki.’
    ‘What? A short back and sides!’
    ‘It has grown a little. Another month and I’ll really be able to do something with it.’
    ‘Are you girls going to sit there all night?’ Bob asked, looking through the door. ‘We’re starving so Sid has gone to the chippie. It’s going to be fish and chips all round this evening.’
    ‘Oh, good.’ Flo sighed with relief. ‘We’re too tired to cook.’
    ‘You both deserve a night off. Come on, up you get.’ Bob pulled his wife out of the chair. ‘Harry’s laying the table and making the tea.’
    Over the next few weeks, the business of both shops steadily increased, and Flo had decided that Vicki was proficient enough to cut and set hair. She was even beginning to get a few of her own clients. That promotion meant that they had to employ a young girl to help in the shop. Her name was Annie, the daughter of someone the Howards knew, and she was eager and working out well. Bob hadn’t had any luck finding a suitable boy for the barber’s, and Harry was still working there. He groused about being kept so busy at his age, but no one took any notice because he was obviously enjoying himself. He had led quite a solitary life in his retirement, lost in his books, but now he was talking and laughing with customers, and appeared to be happy. However, working in the shop left him little time to help Vicki track down the two strangers. But she, also, had been too busy to give it much thought. In the quiet moments, though, they were never far from her mind, and her desire to trace them never wavered. The happier she became, the more determined she was to find them