Promoted: Chapter 3

Tyres crunched on the gravel driveway and Annabel’s eyes lit up. She glanced at the clock. Ten minutes early, and Callum had promised that he wouldn’t be bringing his laptop home tonight.

She gave the beef and horseradish casserole a quick stir and slipped her apron off. Her dress swished around her legs as she walked to the full-length mirror in the hall and she smiled at her reflection.

The dresses, like so many things, had been Callum’s idea. At first she’d struggled to really motivate herself on her at-home days. Without the constraints of office hours and train timetables, the day seemed to have no shape. Slobbing around in leggings and a t-shirt made her feel unproductive, but she didn’t want to wear her work clothes; she was trying to get away from the office, after all.

Callum had proposed both a timetable, with all the tasks she needed to get done that day, and also, to get her in the right frame of mind, suitable outfits. She’d asked what he had in mind but he just smiled, and said she’d have to wait and see.

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She had been taken aback, to put it mildly, when he had presented her with the first dress. She was well used to modest, below the knee hemlines now, but her skirts all had relatively narrow silhouettes. Even on the hanger, she could see that this was much fuller, and like nothing she had ever worn before. She hesitantly slipped it on, carefully fastening the buttons all the way up to the neat, round white collar.

Callum beamed at her. “You look wonderful, Annie.” He moved aside, allowing her to see herself in the mirror.

She had been right about the skirt; it flared out over her hips and just kept going. Annabel felt as though she wouldn’t be able to walk through a door without the hem brushing the sides. The modestly fitted bodice emphasised her narrow waist and, she suddenly realised, made her look much more feminine than the tight, revealing outfits that she used to wear.

“Do you really think so?”

“Definitely! How does it feel?”

“Um. Pretty good, actually. But, uh, I can’t wear it for housework, I wouldn’t want to get it dirty!”

Callum grinned and handed her a second item, white and neatly folded. She looked at him quizzically, but  he just kept grinning. She unfolded it and laughed.

“An apron! Really?”

“Well,” he smiled at her. “I knew you wouldn’t want to get anything on your dress!”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It had been strange, at first, to be so dressed up for housework, but she had very quickly adjusted to it, and now it would have felt odd not to be wearing a dress.

She ran a comb through her hair and gave it a quick blast of hairspray. She had it trimmed every four weeks now, so it never got out of hand, and took almost no effort to keep tidy. After just a moment’s hesitation, she applied some pink lipstick. Callum always told her that she didn’t need makeup, but she liked to make an effort sometimes, and tonight was one of those times.

“Something smells good!” Callum announced. “You’ve been working hard in the kitchen, I can tell.”

Annabel beamed back at him. “Yep. Though it somehow doesn’t really feel like work.”

“Better than going to the office?”

“Oh, my, yes! I mean, I don’t hate my job, but since I, well, smartened up, then the other girls don’t seem to think I’m worth speaking to. And I’m not getting leched at any more, but the men make me feel like I’m about as important as a filing cabinet!”

“Oh, Annie! You know that you’re the most important thing in my life, right?”

“Yeah, I know.” Her frustration faded as quickly as it had come. “I guess that’s why I’m enjoying my days at home so much.”

“Well, I certainly enjoy coming home to you looking happy. And beautiful, of course.” He grinned.

“Mmmm… well, I can’t believe I’m saying this, but um, making a happy beautiful home actually feels fulfilling.” She paused, thoughtfully. “Certainly more worthwhile than chasing lazy execs who can’t remember who they’re supposed to be meeting next!”

“Well, that makes perfect sense to me.” He bit his lip. “Have you thought about giving the job up completely?”

“And being a full-time housewife?” She eyed him sceptically.

“If that’s what you want to call it, yes.” He shrugged. “We don’t need the money, since they gave me that last pay rise. And you said yourself, it’s more fulfilling than going to the office.”

“Well…”

“Look at it this way. I’ve finally got enough of a team in place that my hours should be coming down a bit. So we could carry on as we are, or you could go back to the office five days a week. But if you’re here full-time, then, well, we can really enjoy life, instead of always being behind, running to catch up with ourselves.”

“That does sound appealing…” Annabel considered. “But, well, I don’t know. It just feels like, a bit of a betrayal. Or like I’m giving up. Taking the easy way out. Do you know what I mean?”

Callum knew exactly what she was leaving unsaid. “Yeah, I guess. But really, being a housewife, or home maker, or whatever you want to call it, is a perfectly valid choice. It might not be right for everyone, but denying anyone that choice is hardly liberating, is it?”

“True.” She nodded. “You know, there are other advantages. I’d love to spend more time with my Mum. And I could maybe even do some volunteering. Give a little back.”

“All very valid points.” He nodded.

“So, I’ll hand my notice in on Monday then? Are you sure that we don’t need the money?”

“Sure I’m sure, Annie. So, when’s dinner ready?”

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“Oh, that’s a lovely blouse, Anne. Just your colour.”

Annabel turned and smiled back at Maggie, her supervisor at the hospice shop. They all called her ‘Anne’ here; when she’d introduced herself, she’d felt like ‘Annabel’ just sounded a bit, well, childish, as though it didn’t fit her new, serious, grown up outlook.

The big perk of sorting through the donated clothes was getting first pick at what came in. There was a lot of modern, fast fashion of course, but also lots of really good quality classic ladies styles, like the baby blue pussybow blouse she was currently holding up.

“Do you think so? It’s just my size, and it’s hardly been worn. Do you think Callum would mind?”

“I’m sure he’d love you in it, dear. But if you like, take it home and show him. You can pop the money in the till next time you’re in.”

“Oh, thank you Maggie. I do love working here!”

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“New blouse, Annie?”

“Oh, yes, I picked it up from the shop today. Do you like it?”

“Very smart, and a lovely colour. I can see you wearing it for church.”

“Thanks, Cal.” Annie smiled, pleased to have his approval. “I still need to pay for it though.” She fiddled with her hair, pushing the grown-out sides behind her ears.

“Betty still not back at the salon?” Callum asked.

“No, her knee surgery went OK, but it will be a while before she’s back on her feet. I don’t know what to do about this.” She pulled her fringe down over her eyes. “It’s getting really long, and I’m desperate for a good tidy up.”

“Hmmm…. Maybe you could go with your mum? You were going to drop her at the hairdresser’s on Saturday anyway, weren’t you?”

“Um, yeah, I suppose so. It’s a real old ladies’ place though. Most of the clients are just like Mum, been going there for their shampoo and set every week for donkeys’ years!”

“Well, I’m sure they could manage to give you a trim.” Callum smiled. “You’ll need to find somewhere, if Betty isn’t going to be back anytime soon.”

“Yeah, true.” Annabel pulled a face. “Just don’t blame me if I come back looking like Mum, OK?”

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“So just a good tidy up for you then?” Judith enquired.

“Oh, yes please. Nothing fancy, just get it off my ears and take the fringe nice and short. I’m fed up of it getting in my eyes!”

“Of course, dear.” Judith combed through Annabel’s just-washed hair and started to snip away. “Your mother told me how pleased she is that you keep your hair looking presentable now.”

“Oh, er, yes.” Annabel flushed slightly. “I just like it to be easy and not have to fuss with it.”

“I’ve told her she should have it permed.” Annabel’s mum Mavis was sitting in the next chair, having her silvery grey hair wound tightly onto pink plastic rollers. “She’d look much better with a bit of curl in it.”

“Ooh, yes!” Agreed Judith enthusiastically. “We used to do neat little perms for young wives like you all the time. They’d want to show that they were married women, not single girls any more, and their new families were always delighted to see them looking so modest and respectable.”

“Um, well, I, uh…” Annabel stammered, as Judith continued combing and snipping.

“Not to mention how practical it is,” her mum added, encouragingly. “A proper, tight perm is completely fuss-free, just wash it and leave it to dry.”

“I, ah, I don’t think I should do something so drastic without talking to Callum.” Annabel replied, hoping this didn’t sound too lame.

“I suppose we did shock a few husbands, back in the day, who hadn’t been expecting their wives to come back all short and curly.” Judith conceded.

“Oh, Callum would be all in favour.” Mavis declared, confidently. “You know he likes you looking presentable too.”

“Even so….” Annabel floundered. “I really ought to talk to him about it first.”

“Tell you what,” offered Judith. “I’ll put the curling iron through it when I’ve finished your cut. Then you can show hubby when you get home. See if he likes you with curls.”

“Well….” Annabel faltered.

“Splendid idea.” Her mum paid no attention to her. “I can’t wait to see you with a proper style.”

Annabel swallowed. She couldn’t see any way out of it. Oh well. She could wash it out, easily enough.

Judith carried on snipping and combing for a few more minutes before pronouncing herself satisfied.

“That’s you tidied up, young lady. I’ll just put some curl in it now, for you.”

“Thank you.” Annabel replied automatically, as Judith picked up the well-worn curling iron which had been heating on the side.

She deftly wrapped sections of Annabel’s hair around the half-inch barrel, holding each section for a moment before moving on to the next. It only took a few minutes before Judith put the iron down again, touched a few strands into place with her comb and doused Annabel in a cloud of hairspray.

“How’s that for you?” She asked. Mavis got in first.

“Oh yes, that’s lovely and smart. Just what she needed.”

Judith beamed.

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“Oh, Annie, you look lovely!”

“Really? I mean, it feels a bit… stiff.” Annabel patted the heavily sprayed curls. “Judith just kind of did it, didn’t really ask me.”

“Oh, well, I expect she’s used to most of her clients having styles like that?” Callum shrugged.

“Yeah, well, it was Mum really. She keeps telling me that I should have it permed, so…”

“You had it permed? I thought it was just…”

“No, no!” Annabel laughed. This is just done with a curling iron. And lots of hairspray! I’m going to go and wash it out.”

“Oh.” Callum looked disappointed. “Why don’t you leave it in, for today at least. It looks nice.”

Annabel pulled a face. “You don’t think it’s too… old fashioned? I mean, it looks a lot like Mum’s….”

“No, I think it suits you, Annie. It’s certainly a more traditional style, but I don’t think that’s a bad thing. I like having a wife who looks modest and respectable.”

She smiled, still not sure. “Really? You don’t think I look old, and frumpy?”

“Annie, you look beautiful. You always do, but even more so with your hair curled. I’d love you to wear it like that for church tomorrow, with that new blouse you have.”

Annabel’s heart gave a little flutter at the thought of going out in public with her primly curled hair, but with a wry smile, she realised that if there was one place where she would fit in, it was at church, where most of the ladies in the predominantly older congregation wore their hair in smarter, more traditional styles.

“OK.” She said, shyly. “If you’d like me to, then I will.”

“Thanks, Annie.” Callum grinned.

“Mum said you’d like it.” Annie smiled ruefully. “I guess I actually had to hear it from you.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Your hair looks lovely Mrs. Davis.” The vicar’s wife, whose name Annabel could never remember, beamed at her. “Is it permed, or..?”

“Oh, no, it was just done with a curling iron. I, uh, took Mum to the hairdressers yesterday, and I needed a tidy up too, and, well, Mum’s always on at me to have it curled, so, uh…”

“It suits you very well, dear. It’s lovely to see a young lady with what I’d call ‘dressed’ hair. “ She patted her own stiffly sculpted waves. “I know some people prefer a more… casual look, but I’ve always felt that one should at least try to look presentable at all times.”

“Oh yes, er, Mum has always said that, too.” Annabel replied awkwardly.

“And I’m sure that your husband appreciates you being smartly turned out.” The vicar’s wife turned her polite but firm gaze on Callum.

“Of course.” He replied easily. “Annie always looks beautiful, and I agree, the curls suit her very well.”

“They really do, don’t they? Perhaps you should have that perm, dear. It really is quite the best thing for a busy young housewife like you.”

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Annabel hurried down the stairs, her petticoats rustling. Callum was standing in the hall, holding her handbag.

“Don’t panic, Annie, you’ve got plenty of time.”

“Yes, but I said I’d pick Mum up at half past. You know how she hates to be late for anything.” she paused and looked at him. “Are you really sure that you want me to do this?”

“Of course I am, my love. You looked wonderful with your hair curled; neat, modest and feminine, and having Judith perm your hair is just going to make it so much easier for you, everyone says so.”

He looked at her still doubtful expression. “But I don’t want to push you into something you don’t want. I thought you liked the idea of a perm?”

“Well, yes. I like the idea of it being easy, and I do want to look nice for you. It’s just, well, it’s a bit of a big step, and, uh, I suppose I’m a bit worried. I mean, what if you don’t like it when it’s done? I can’t just change it back!”

“Annie, I know you’re going to look great. I loved how you looked when Judith curled it before, and so did everyone else. Just relax, and try to enjoy it.”

She smiled at him, still with a touch of nerves. “OK Cal. I’ll do my best.”

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“Ooh, that’s a bit sore!” Annabel winced slightly as Judith wound the skinny plastic rod firmly against her scalp.

“Stop fussing!” her mother admonished her. “They need to be rolled tight for your curls to come out properly.”

Judith just kept winding. Before long Annabel’s head was covered in the rods, every strand of hair confined into immaculately neat rolls. She gritted her teeth, partly from the discomfort, and partly from nerves. She had come an awfully long way from the long haired, glamorous executive PA of a few months ago, but a short, tight curly perm still felt like a bit of a big step.

Judith secured a strip of cotton wool around Annabel’s head and, as she had done a thousand times before, snipped the top from the perm solution and started to apply it methodically to each rod in turn.

Annabel gulped. For all Callum’s reassurances she was still worried that he would think she looked awful, or that she would. And a perm was very, well, permanent. The smell of the solution hit the back of her throat, and she coughed.

“You get used to the smell after a while.” Judith told her, not unkindly. “It’s a bit of a shock the first time, I know.”

“Uh, yes, I’m sure.” Annabel murmured, hoping it was true.

Her rods were covered with a plastic cap and she was left to process, while Judith turned her attention to Mavis. She didn’t need to ask what she wanted. Mavis had been having the same shampoo and set since before Annabel was born. In short order her hair had been washed and rolled into the familiar pattern. Judith popped her under a dryer with a cup of tea.

“Right then young lady, let’s see how well your curls have taken.”

She removed the plastic cap and carefully unwrapped one of Annabel’s rods. She smiled as she saw the perfect S-shaped curl. “That’s very good.” She rolled the curl back up again and led Annabel to a sink to have her hair rinsed.

“This probably seems a bit strange, if you’ve never had it done before, but we have to rinse this out with the rods still in, then neutralise it. That’s what fixes the curls, makes them last.”

“Oh, uh, yeah, sure.” Annabel spluttered slightly as the water splashed her face.

The neutraliser felt very cold, but at least the smell wasn’t quite so bad, Annabel thought.

Judith took Mavis out from under the dryer, quickly removed her rollers and started to tease her curls together with a plastic comb.

“Is Annabel having a set, too?” She asked.

Annabel glanced up at the mention of her name.

“Yes please.” her mum replied firmly. “I want to see her looking as smart as possible, for once.”

“Oh, but, er…” Annabel wavered.

“And I told Callum that you’d be having it set.” Mavis continued. “He seemed very keen for you to have it done properly.”

“Oh, er, really?”

“Of course he was. You know he likes you looking your best.”

“Well, um, yes, I suppose so..”

“There you go then.” She caught Judith’s eye in the mirror. “A nice smart set for her, just like you always do mine.”

Judith smirked. “Lovely”.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“So we’re going to take this right back from your forehead. We want to make sure that hubby can see that pretty face of yours.”

Annabel had been rinsed, rolled up again and spent twenty minutes under a hot hood dryer for the first time in her life. She’d felt rather isolated, unable to hear the conversation as Judith finished combing out her mother’s hair into its customary style, cementing the silvery grey  waves in place with copious amounts of lacquer. She had wondered if her hair really was going to be done exactly the same way, and if Callum really did want to see her with such a traditional hairstyle. As Judith started briskly combing, it seemed that the answer to the first question, at least, was a resounding ‘yes’.

She eyed herself up in the mirror, watching as Judith’s long practised hands replicated the style that she had seen for so many years on her mother.

“There! All done.” Judith picked up the large gold can, held a hand over Annabel’s eyes and saturated her curls with the sweet smelling spray. Annabel reflexively closed her eyes, and waited for the hissing sound to end.

She paused for a moment and took a deep breath before opening her eyes.

“Oh!”

Judith waited for a moment, one eyebrow raised, but she couldn’t read Annabel’s reaction. “It suits you very well, dear.” She declared, knowing that a little positive reinforcement could go a long way.

“You… really think so?” Annabel wasn’t quite sure what to make of what she was seeing. It was her mother’s hairstyle, certainly, but at the same time, it wasn’t. Her dark brown waves were glossier than ever with the liberal spraying, and she couldn’t help thinking that they framed her face better than her previous cuts, even better than her long hair ever had.

“Of course it does.” Her mother told her. “I told you you’d look better with some curl in it.”

Annabel considered her reflection again. Of course, she was thirty years younger than her mother, and her smooth, unlined face made a great difference. Overall, she decided, the effect was much more ‘1950’s housewife’ than ‘old lady’. Suddenly she was sure that Callum was going to love it. She smiled.

“I think you were right, Mum.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Annabel nudged the door open and carried the tea tray through. She set it down carefully and started to pour out two cups. She glanced across to see Callum’s eyes fixed on her, unable to hide his delighted expression. He’d been looking like that ever since she got home. She rolled her eyes at him, but couldn’t keep the smile from her own lips.

“I really didn’t need to worry, did I?”

“Nope. I told you you’d look great.”

Her phone pinged as she put the teapot down and she slipped it out of her apron pocket.

Remember this time last year? 

It was a notification from her photo app. She tapped to open it and her eyes widened. “Oh my!”

It was a selfie, from exactly a year ago. Her bright red lips were pouting at the camera, and the fingers with matching red nails were wrapped around an enormous glass of Chardonnay. Her unbuttoned blouse left little to the imagination, and she felt herself blush slightly as she saw just how short and tight her skirt had been.

“What is it, Annie?”

She passed the phone over to Callum. “Do you miss me looking like this? Be honest.”

He looked at the photo and then back at her, sipping tea in her modestly buttoned up dress. Her nails short, face scrubbed and her hair set in pristine waves, neatly out of her face and off her ears.

“Honestly Annie? You look so much better now.”

She knew that he really meant it, too. “And you know what? I’m so much happier too.”

“Well,” he shrugged. “That’s getting out of the rat race for you.”

“Yeah.” She grinned. “From now on, let’s leave it to the rats!”      

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Also published at https://f35hstories.wordpress.com/

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