Donny watched Chrissy make his drink and smiled. His wife ran a tight ship here and it was a successful business. Of course, he’d funded it at the start. His wife had always wanted her own salon and as soon as he’d saved enough money, her dream was the first thing on his list. Her brothers threw a few quid in too, they were always willing to help out, and they liked a good investment. Donny would have much preferred they stayed out of it but, as always, they had to stick their noses in where they didn’t belong. He messed around on his phone as he waited. Not much on the news. He clicked on Facebook. A friend request from Melanie. What the hell was she playing at? Like he’d accept. His wife was on the ball, she knew the friends on his list. Apart from when she’d seen her in the car park, he’d never said a word about Mel to his wife. If she had even the slightest idea that she was trying it on with her man, she would rip her to shreds. Susan would take no shit. If she thought it, then she said it. It was like she had no filter sometimes. And now she’d seen what she looked like he had no doubt that she would put two and two together and come up with six. He knew he’d given her reason to doubt him in the past. But he’d put that behind him. He had other things on his mind.

He saw Susan and stuffed his phone in his pocket. He’d delete the friend request as soon as he could.

‘Two minutes, baby, and I’ll be with you.’ Susan shouted over.

Donny finished his food and threw the rubbish in the bin.

‘No worries, love, whenever you’re ready.’

Chrissy passed Donny his coffee. ‘There you go, is it still no sugar?’

He patted his hand on his stomach. ‘Does this body look like it has sugar, Chrissy, come on love. My body is a temple.’

Donny leant back in his chair. The smell in this place was lovely; sweet, floral. His wife was into all this aromatherapy stuff – it was the same at home. Susan re-emerged with her client and walked her towards the door, with Sadie close to her side.

‘See you soon, honey, and remember, no shower til tomorrow. Let me know how your date goes too, I hope you like him.’

The middle-aged woman looked optimistic. ‘Thanks so much, Susan. I feel amazing. I hope he likes me too. I need a bit of a tan to cover everything up!’