Mack continued to whisper in her ear. “We’ll wash your hair now over at the sinks, and I’ll give you the best head massage you’ve ever had.”

Flora’s eyes popped open, and she saw Mack grinning. She knows what she’s doing to me. It would be the only head massage she’d ever had. No one had ever gotten this close to her. Flora would have run from this intimacy if it was anyone else but Mack.

Mack held out her hand. “Follow me—this is going to feel so good.”

Flora was glad Mack offered her hand because she wasn’t certain her legs were going to support her as she stood up. They had turned to jelly. She took Mack’s hand to steady her and held on tightly. As she did, someone tried to walk in the shop. It was a slightly dishevelled looking woman.

“Hang on. I’ll get rid of her. You’d think she’d notice the closed sign.” Mack unlocked the door. “We’re closed.”

“Aww, sorry. Nae problem. Have you got a pound for a cuppa tea?”

Mack stuffed her hand in her pocket and brought out her wallet. “Here. Buy something to eat.” Mack gave her a ten-pound note.

“Thanks, mate.”

When the door shut, Mack watched the woman walk away. “I hope she doesn’t spend it on drugs. If I see someone who’s homeless, I usually take them and buy the meal.”

Flora gazed at Mack and lost another piece of her heart.

“Now, back to you, wee mouse.”

* * *

Flora pulled into the driveway, with Mack not long behind her. As she stopped the car, instinct made her look up at the upstairs window. This was always a moment that gave her anxiety. She never knew if she would manage to get out without receiving a torrent of abuse or sexual innuendos, but then she remembered and let out a sigh of relief. They’re gone. She looked into the driver’s mirror and smiled when she saw Mack looking back from her own car. Life was different now.

She ran her hand through her nice new hairstyle. Everything was different. She felt lighter, she felt cared for, not to mention the new feelings that Mack’s massage and haircut brought out in her. Flora was aching to be close to Mack and didn’t want to let go.

She got out of the car, just as Mack and Dexter were getting out of Mack’s.

“I can’t get over how much nicer my new haircut is.”

“You look even more beautiful,” Mack said.

“Shut up,” Flora said with embarrassment in her voice. She wouldn’t have had the nerve to say that to anyone, even in jest, but with Mack she felt safe.