Christmas at the Salon: Starscopes, #4

By Ruth Hay

The fourth and final novel in Ruth Hay's sweeping women's fiction series about astrology and coincidence.

...  in which a number of things fall into, or out of, place.

Will the stars align for Octavia and Sven, or will they drift apart forever?

Can Marsha commit to a life with a Star Man?

What happens when Angus confronts his family?

Is there a future for Randall and Johanna despite an age and experience difference?

Has Molly found her Roman soldier?

It has been an incredible year so far, but how the year ends is even more amazing!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ruth Hay
• Release date: Sep 27, 2019
• ISBN: 9781386604488

Book preview

ONE

Octavia had made a promise to hold a meeting of all the Eight-to-Eight employees.

As the end of summer approached, she and Marsha deliberated about where this important meeting should take place.

Well, we can hardly hold it on the premises, stated Marsha. We don’t have a space big enough for everyone to assemble without standing on each other’s toes.

She was thinking of all the full and part-time beauty specialists, plus the trainee students they had acquired over the summer months and the maintenance staff. All of them played a part in the success of the business. All of them needed to be recognized for their contributions, and all of them must be consulted about ideas for improving the facility.

The two women dismissed nearby restaurants as not sufficiently private. Octavia’s thoughts ventured further. They needed a room large enough, in pleasant surroundings, with a bar, food services and ample parking. There were numerous hotels in the city centre but in most of them parking was an issue. She did not want to go to the expense of hiring a bus for this event as that smacked of school outings and a formality she hoped to avoid. If some of the group needed to arrive a little later or leave early, they should feel able to do so. She would suggest carpooling and she would rent a people-mover van with a driver. Much less formal.

The choice of venue remained to be determined and time was running short. Most good places were booked up months in advance. She decided she would avoid wedding venues. The atmosphere she wanted was more discreet, more business-oriented than party atmosphere, more creative in tone.

That was it!

She immediately turned to Marsha, who was making a list of possibilities, and interrupted her with, What do you think about trying for a meeting room at the Mackintosh House and Museum at Bellahouston Park in the countryside?

Marsha immediately crumpled up the paper list she was working on and threw the ball up in the air.

A perfect venue for us! Removed from the city, in beautiful surroundings, an inspiring place, that will be sure to encourage forward thinking. I will contact them right away.

With that decision made, Octavia returned to the content of the meeting. She had laboured long over the finances and now felt confident that she could predict the expenses of the salon on a monthly basis. The number of clients did not vary substantially over spring and summer. In a city like Glasgow with events at the City Chambers and weddings and anniversary parties occurring regularly, there were always occasions when women required a little extra confidence by tweaking their appearance. Standards in hair and nail care were rising with television and movie stars constantly displaying the latest in haircuts and dazzling nail effects. Personal care of a high standard, always complemented a lovely outfit.

Octavia was pleased with the offerings at Eight-to-Eight. Marsha kept abreast of new trends and worked with the technicians to make sure anything the customer requested was within their ability. She also supervised the trainees and co-ordinated with the college to ensure their experiences in the salon were what they needed for high marks. One or two of the young girls had expressed their desire to be employed there on a full time basis, once their qualifications were obtained.

Marsha’s attention to the daily operations of the salon allowed Octavia time to think of the future. She was acutely aware of the privilege she received when Armand Beattie granted her the inheritance of his business and the nearby flat she shared with Marsha.

Running the business well, was only the first of her ambitions. She intended to give back as a thank you for the great good luck she had gained by Armand’s gift. She hoped to establish a program of free make-overs for those who could not afford the salon prices. Looking her best made every woman feel so much more confident and ready for challenges. Men did not understand this concept in the same way.

Octavia wanted to provide a service for single or divorced women who were making changes in their lives and who were applying for work positions to advance their finances and allow them to support their families. She had made tentative enquiries about such an idea of several social service groups and received very positive feedback.

This idea was one of the agenda items she hoped to introduce at the staff meeting.

Also on the agenda was the matter of space. In order to expand their outreach, 828 Argyll Street needed more room. Marsha and she explored the premises together on Sundays armed with tape measures and notepaper, speculating about what might be achieved one day. The building’s footprint included a parking area at the rear that would permit them to expand the tiny office, but more space was needed.

Octavia remembered the story of how Grayson had discovered the opportunity to buy 828 when a shop front became available. She made regular enquiries of businesses adjacent to the salon and she also made it known to real estate firms in the city centre that she was interested in expanding.

Nothing had emerged, as yet, but she had hopes of that idea becoming productive. Despite being the hub of a large city, Glasgow’s Centre was not immune to businesses opening and closing rapidly in the changing likes and needs of its people and the Scottish economy.

She would not promise anything along the expansion lines until she had accumulated a sufficient budget to allow such a purchase, including the money for refurbishment.

In the meantime, she could promise their employees some improvement to the staff facilities. Marsha found a nearby company with a good reputation that would replace the aging bathroom fixtures, supply better furnishings for the break room, and give the whole area a new paint, lighting and flooring update.

The final choice of colours would be left to the staff. Marsha had a set of paint samples and lighting fixtures to show them at the meeting.

Octavia clicked on her computer calendar and reviewed their commitments for September through to December. Marsha had a weekend scheduled with Callum MacDonald on Skye. The brothers were pursuing their night-sky-watching project and Marsha was invited to share the daylight, less chilly parts, of their venture. Octavia turned down Torquil’s invitation, pleading the pressure of work but the truth was more involved than that.

She stood up and stretched. The apartment was not spacious. Installing a desk and chair in the small living room had made it seem even smaller but it was a necessity. Many of her evening hours were devoted to work matters. Marsha insisted all that extra work was not really necessary. Octavia heard it and knew she was right, but working kept her from thinking about the less-than–successful part of her life.

Last evening, Marsha was visiting with Amy Martin and Angus Ingram in St. Johnstone. Since Angus now spent the daylight hours working in Sven’s studio, Amy was bereft of the company she had grown to relish. Angus often came home to sleep but there were long stretches when Amy missed the months when her home was the centre of a great deal of artistic excitement with the company of the young people of their circle. Marsha enjoyed Amy’s chatter and welcomed the chance to catch up with Angus.

Consequently, Octavia had hours alone.

She was reluctant to accompany Marsha to St. Johnstone in case Sven should appear with Angus for one of Amy’s home-cooked meals. Although she believed she had erased Sven Magnusson from her mind, she did not want to challenge that belief by spending time in his company across a dining room table.

Occasionally, she wondered if he felt the same. They had parted under unhappy circumstances. She knew she had not allowed him to make his excuses, such was her anger at seeing him dining with another woman in a restaurant. There was no communication between them since that day, which indicated his acceptance of her abrupt dismissal.

She was well aware of Marsha’s interest in Callum, and even more aware of her mother Molly’s declared romance with Alistair Williams. In her lowest moments, Octavia wondered if she had traded personal satisfaction for work fulfillment when she accepted the challenges of Eight-to-Eight. Whether that trade was acceptable in the long run, was becoming a feature of her private musings when she was alone in the small apartment.

She was a normal young woman who was approaching the barrier of thirty, a time when she had once hoped to be planning marriage, and possibly a family. That hope was receding. She had no wish to wait as long as her mother had waited to find a second life partner. Their circumstances were completely different, of course, and Molly’s reasons were justified with two children to look after for so many years. Octavia took some small comfort in the fact that her brother was in no better position, romantically speaking. Julian had also arrived late to the career-choosing part of life and he was now fully immersed in obtaining his qualifications at a local catering college. His prospects were good, since he had an experienced business partner in Bob Lawrie who was already setting up a bakery and lunch delivery service, supervised by Molly, in her old shop premises.

All in all, the Dumleys were doing remarkably well. But to Octavia, sitting at her desk alone on a weekend, it seemed like something was missing.

Her computer blinked to get her attention. Octavia sighed and returned to the Fall schedule.

Johanna Strail wanted to meet with her about something unspecified.

Molly and Alistair were holding a wedding dinner in October.

Angus Ingram and Sven Magnusson had an art show upcoming.

Marsha would be in Skye for a weekend and the program for the staff event must be firmed up before the end of September.

There was plenty to attend to. How would she ever find time for romance in a busy life like this?

It was a question that remained unanswered.

TWO

Octavia moved forward with her checklist for September as soon as Marsha confirmed the date for the staff event.

They have a lovely Art Nouveau styled Café Gallery in the Mackintosh House. It’s usually very busy on weekends but the administrator said, if we can come after four o’clock on a Saturday they will close the café for our use exclusively for two hours. I had to promise her a free hair and nail appointment, which went a long way toward getting this privilege. It seems as if everyone in Glasgow has heard about Eight-To-Eight.

Well done, Marsha! It’s an excellent location for us and our early closing on Saturday can be advertised ahead so no one is disappointed. I will step in and give everyone a hand so we can complete all our appointments and give the staff a chance to change into different clothes for the meeting.

That will help. I am looking forward to this already. What else is on our upcoming schedule?

When Marsha had heard the full list of events, she asked Octavia if she planned to attend the Art Exhibition to showcase the recent work of Angus and Sven.

I would prefer not to go, of course, but that depends on whether Angus would be disappointed if I don’t turn up.

I talked to him at Amy’s the other night. He is very excited about the exhibition because it was arranged and sponsored by Randall Reeves. Somehow, Mr. Reeves has been given permission to hold this event in the Mackintosh Gallery in the classic old building rather than at the Tontine.

Octavia suspected this had something to do with Randall Reeves’ long-term financial association with the Glasgow School of Art. She began to wonder if the exhibition might be the topic that Johanna Strail wished to discuss with her in their upcoming meeting. If Johanna required Octavia to declare her intention to go to the exhibition and risk meeting Sven there, Johanna was about to be disappointed.

Marsha was still mulling over the Fall events list and did not notice the determined look on Octavia’s face.

What about your mother’s reception. Do we have to plan that? Marsha’s pen was poised over the event, ready to make a checkmark.

Thankfully, we are out of the picture other than to make sure my mother looks excellent on the day. Bob and Julian are doing the organizing. It’s a small group at the old Dennistoun house where, I am given to understand, there have been recent redecorations and new furnishings installed.

It should be a lovely evening then; a real family affair.

Of course you are included Marsha. I suspect my brother is keen to see you again.

Really?

Yes, really! How does it feel to have two possible suitors, Miss Marsha Ballantyne?

Marsha took a moment to frame her answer. She knew Octavia did not want to get into another pointless discussion about Sven, or Torquil for that matter, but since she had opened up the topic of relationships, Marsha felt it was appropriate to respond.

Actually, Miss Octavia Dumley, it’s a rather nice feeling and don’t you ignore the fact that one Torquil MacDonald would be delighted if you decide to visit Skye with us this month. Callum says the invitation is still open and Noreen will find us a bed if the castle is not available.

Do you mean you are invited to stay in the MacDonald family’s ancestral seat for the weekend?

That’s the current plan. Speaking personally, I am thrilled to be included, but it would be all the better if you decided to go Octavia.

Octavia’s eyebrows signalled she was surprised, but that was as far as she was prepared to venture. She had pleaded pressure of work as her excuse. It was true to a point. She would think again. Spending time with the handsome Torquil MacDonald, with the opportunity to see him in his natural home setting, might be difficult to resist.

Octavia approached the meeting with Johanna in a puzzled frame of mind. If the subject were personal, a phone call would suffice. The meeting in the Tontine offices suggest a more private topic and Octavia still intended to refuse any appeal to meet Sven Magnusson.

I am so glad you could come, Octavia. This is a very private matter and I could not risk being overheard on the phone.

As she spoke, Johanna firmly closed her office door, unhooked her phone and closed her computer.

Octavia’s interest grew.

It’s about Angus Ingram.

Octavia was puzzled again.

I just heard from Marsha how well he is doing with his art projects. Isn’t he a graduate now and no longer your responsibility?

In normal circumstances that would be the case but another, highly unusual matter has intervened. Added to that is my personal concern for Angus which started when he first entered the program here as one of our youngest-ever students.

Now Octavia was intrigued but she was hoping she was not about to be asked to take on any involvement with Angus. Her business concerns must take priority and those were piling up every day.

Johanna did not seem to notice Octavia’s reluctance. She forged on with her agenda in a way that indicated she was relieved to be able to discuss this with a friendly face.

Several weeks ago, I was approached by an investigator on behalf of a Brian Ingram. It is hard to believe after all these years, but there is evidence that Brian Ingram is related to Angus.

That’s a surprise! Where has this man been hiding during all the years when Angus was in desperate need of family?

Your reaction is similar to mine initially, at least. I feared this was an attempt to get money from Angus. There are unscrupulous people out there who will stop at nothing to get what they want.

I take it you changed your mind about the situation? Why?

The investigator’s credentials checked out. He spent time with Brian Ingram and his family, which includes a wife and two children, and he assured me this request is all above board and the family seeks only to let Angus know they are there if he should need them.

You said ‘request’, Johanna. What exactly did this Brian ask for?

Johanna sat back and took a deep breath. She had worried about this matter for days and nights and still had not decided what served the best needs of Angus Ingram. She was hoping Octavia’s perspective might clarify the situation for her.

Correct. Brian Ingram wants someone to tell Angus about the existence of this branch of his family. Brian is a cousin of Angus’s deceased mother who spent years of his youth as a close friend of Julie’s until a family dispute over Julie’s behaviour split the parents apart for decades.

"Before you go any further, Johanna, this is not a task I am willing to take on. I am sure Sven would be a better choice or even Amy Martin, or you could very well explain all this to him. Not me, please."

I understand your reluctance, Octavia. You virtually saved Angus’s life once already. No one would ask more of you. In any case, I have informed a number of close associates of Angus about this dilemma and the conclusion was that he should be told with a group of friends near him for support.

So you don’t really need me, then? Octavia’s relief was evident in her facial expression. She reached for her purse and made to leave the office.

"Just one minute more, please! That is not what has happened, I’m afraid.

Angus will still need support. Sven, unknown to me until recently, has told him about Brian Ingram and his family who live in Uddingston, not far from Glasgow. Angus responded to this news with harsh words and completely dismissed the entire idea of connecting with the Ingrams."

So, it’s done? Why am I here?

I am sure you can appreciate the danger now so many people know about Angus having family nearby. I am afraid the news will get out. Although Angus stated he did not want this unknown family in his life, he is still very young. Things change. You know how vulnerable his mental state is. Anything could happen. His career could take a sudden downturn and his life would be at risk. I need you and Marsha to be aware and vigilant on his behalf.

Now it was finally out in the open, Octavia could hardly refuse support. Everyone in Angus’s circle loved him and cared for him. Their loyalty was not in doubt. She was one among many.

As she absorbed these statements fully, Octavia realized the impassioned account she had just heard was far more than a simple plea by a professional social worker. Johanna Strail spoke as if she acted in place of Angus Ingram’s long lost mother and father. Octavia knew Johanna had never married. Was this concern for Angus more like that of a would-be mother?

She shook her head to clear these thoughts. It was none of her business how Johanna felt about Angus.

As long as she had his best interests at heart, there was nothing more to say on the matter.

She stood and reached across the desk to shake Johanna’s hand.

"I respect your care for Angus. Hopefully, my intervention will not be needed, but you can count on my help.

I must