“He’s gone,” Annie answered. And with him most of my company’s money and life savings.

“Can you please give me a little more time?” she implored. “I promise I’ll sort this out.”

Annie hated the sound of her own voice saying those words. She was begging. She didn’t beg, but what choice did she have? If she could keep the creditors at bay just a little while longer, there was a chance she could come up with some kind of plan. If she couldn’t, her livelihood and everything she’d worked for was over.

“OK, one last chance, Annie.”

The words were music to her ears.

“That’s great. I owe you one,” she answered in relief. “And I will send some money to you this month. I don’t know how much yet, but it will be something. I promise.”

She hung up the phone and dropped her head on her desk.

She couldn’t bask in that small triumph just yet. There were several more people she needed to call, including the bank. She was definitely going to need another business loan, though at this point she wasn’t sure the bank would give it to her.

She needed another coffee. And something for her migraine, too.

Putting on her best game face, Annie headed out onto the salon floor.

“Hello, ladies,” she greeted cheerfully. The stylists and customers alike all smiled in return.

“Oh, Annie, there you are—do you have a minute?” Lauren Hennessy, one of her best regulars, called out as she passed the waiting area.

Since day one, Lauren had been coming to #GlamSquad for her weekly wash and curly blow dry, or color treatment and trim, and had even followed her when she moved premises.

The jackhammer in Annie’s head seemed to get even louder, but still she flashed Lauren a game smile. “‘Course, Lauren. How are you?”

“Privately?”

Annie tried to quiet the discomfort she felt.

What now?

“OK, why don’t you come back to my office?” She turned to reception. “Amanda, hold Lauren’s appointment for a bit. And be a star and get us both a cuppa. Tea or coffee?” she asked her customer.

“Tea, please. And maybe a biscuit if you have one.”

The two women walked toward the back of the salon, Annie’s thoughts racing a mile a minute. What the hell did Lauren want to discuss that required privacy?

“Have a seat,” Annie said as she closed the door behind them. “What can I do for you?”

Lauren’s expression was very still and it only made Annie’s anxiety worse.

“Is everything OK, Annie?” the older woman asked.

“Yes, of course. What do you mean?”

“Well, as you know I’ve been coming to you for a long time, and to my mind this place is one of the best. It’s just... I’ve heard a few things.”

“What kind of things?” she asked shortly.