Stepping through the door of Isabel's was in time, but Jean delighted in the sight of several elderly ladies sitting contentedly under huge, humming hairdryers. She always felt like a mere youngster here.
'Morning, girls. Morning, Paul, she said, smiling as she squeezed past the umbrella stand.
As always, she blessed the day she had discovered Isabel's. Two years earlier, after her husband had passed away, and newly arrived in a small Dorset town, Jean had looked in the various hairdressers along the high street and gazed at their exorbitant prices in despair.
Turning into an old-fashioned arcade, she had spotted Isabel's. She had been greeted warmly, and the price list was so reasonable that Isabel's soon became her hairdresser.
'The usual this morning, Jean?' said Paul.
'Do you know, I might try something different today. I'm feeling adventurous.'
'How about flicking up the ends of your bob? What do you think, Ivy?' Paul turned to the tiny lady in the next chair, who was having what seemed to be hundreds of small curlers removed from her snow-white hair.
'Whatever you say, Paul. Bright blue eyes turned to him and she smiled. 'My son, Clive, is picking me up today. Did I tell you he'd moved down here?' She turned back to her magazine.
Continue reading your story on the app
Continue reading your story in the magazine
'I love getting out into WILDLIFE!'
TV wildlife expert Michaela Strachan talks about living with nature, allergies and being on All Star Musicals
How to get the habit of HAPPINESS
Want to make some changes in your life? Follow these easy steps to reboot and be more content
History on the HIGH STREET
Among the everyday sights on our streets are these reminders of an earlier age
Beautiful, buzzy BARCELONA
Barcelona, capital of Spain’s Catalonia region, has it all, including stylish bars, parks and architecture
Coping with SLEEP APNOEA
This common condition can interrupt your breathing or make it very shallow when you are asleep
Cornwall CALLING
Everything was ready for Ava’s wedding – but was she?
Dancing around the MAYPOLE
Three women share the joys of their favourite time of year
Here to help
Let counsellor Keren lighten your load
Is vaping good OR BAD?
Just over half of those who vape are ex-smokers, and 7% of adults use e-cigarettes* – but are they helpful or another crutch?
The herbal helper that sorted my SLEEPLESS NIGHTS
Your wellbeing Latest health solutions for your mind and body
BIG RON With Big Ronnie Coleman, Eight-Time Mr. Olympia
Ronnie Interviews Shawn Ray
Why We're Saying Bye to BMI
When it comes to your health and happiness, Good Housekeeping is committed to providing the most relevant and reliable information. The more we've reported on body mass index, a widely used but flawed measure of health, the more we've grown to see that there are more accurate and less stigmatizing indications of overall health to include in our coverage. To understand - and to learn what these are - read on.
muddy boots welcome
Casual chic rules in a Kentucky home inspired by the great outdoors.
STATE OF MIND
With our personal and professional lives intersecting as never before, it's time for a serious conversation about how the workplace affects our mental well-being.
BETTER DAYS
A promising blues guitarist in the early 1990s, Larry McCray spent the past 20 years in the wilderness. Thanks to a restart and a new album, Blues Without You, his future looks brighter than ever.
THE MAD AXE OF KING GEORGE
Finding Fretless author Paul Brett reveals how his relentless sleuthing uncovered the mysterious history of a most unusual Beatles guitar: George Harrison’s “mad” Bartell fretless.
Brew Skills Perk's Up!
When it comes to her daily caffeine fix, Jeanne Calitz wants nothing to do with fancy gadgets. Only the classic moka pot will do
LOGAN'S RUN
Russian model Julia Logan is set for fashion world superstardom
The Lion of Le Mans
The new Peugeot 9X8 hypercar is set to make endurance-racing history at the 24 Hours of Le Mans
BRIDGERTON DISAPPOINTS IN BED!
NO HANKY PANKY!