My Ten-Year Crush by Olivia Spring

Chapter Thirty-Four

Iwas so glad to be going to the nail salon this morning. I desperately needed a distraction.

I’d overloaded on coffee to compensate for my lack of sleep both on Tuesday evening and last night. Since meeting Mike two days ago, I’d been tossing and turning, thinking about everything Mike had said, plus Mum’s advice to fight for him, and wracking my brain about what to do.

By seven this morning, I’d abandoned all hope of getting any shut-eye and just got up to finish preparing for today’s meeting.

The salon didn’t have much of a website, so there wasn’t a whole lot I could research online, but yesterday I’d tried anyway before planning my route and making some notes on how I thought I could help them. Even though this probably wouldn’t be a paid opportunity as they were a small business and I was building up my experience, I still had to take it seriously.

Because I had been too upset over the weekend to even contemplate ironing, I didn’t have an outfit prepared like I normally would. And in a way, it felt kind of nice. Freeing.

If I’d planned a meeting outfit in advance, I would’ve chosen something formal and dark. But right now, I needed something bright to lift my mood. I might be feeling grey inside, but I wanted to project a happy, positive image. I quickly selected a silky yellow top and a pair of white trousers. After getting dressed, I applied some mascara, styled my hair, then was out the door.

I found the salon easily on the high street and walked in.

A small, dark-haired woman greeted me with a warm smile.

‘Hello, I’m Bella. I’ve got an appointment to see Hanh.’

‘Hello! That is me. Welcome!’ Her English seemed good. ‘Come!’ She ushered me through the salon. It was small, with four nail stations and a couple of pedicure chairs. The technicians were diligently working on the hands and feet of the clients that filled every chair.

Hanh led me to the back and we sat in a small staff room. She reiterated what Sophia had mentioned on the phone. The salon was doing well, but she was concerned that her staff only understood basic English and weren’t able to have a conversation with clients, and she was keen to enhance the customer service experience.

‘I can definitely help you with that. I can teach them some common conversational phrases and we can do different role-plays —perhaps tackling different topics or scenarios once a week. So general interaction, dealing with challenging customers… is that the kind of thing you’re looking for?’

‘Yes! This would be perfect. How often could you come?’ She took a container of food from the fridge and put it in the microwave.

‘Would once a week be okay? I’ll be back at school full-time from September, but maybe I could come after work in the evenings or for an hour on a Sunday morning? I’m guessing that weekends are busy for you.’

‘I like this idea. Thank you. I do not have a lot of money to give you, but we can do your nails if you like?’

‘That’s very kind of you,’ I said. I didn’t really paint my nails. Occasionally I put a bit of polish on my toes during the summer so they’d look nice in sandals, but other than that, I kept them pretty bare.

‘It is no problem.’ The microwave pinged and she removed the container. It smelt divine. My stomach betrayed me and let out a loud rumble. So embarrassing. ‘Someone is hungry! It is pho. I share with you.’ She took two bowls from the cupboard and started dishing it out. It looked like soup with flat rice noodles and chicken.

‘Oh, no. I couldn’t ask you to do that. It’s your lunch. I’m going home after this, so I’ll make something.’

She shook her head. ‘I always share. You try Vietnamese food before?’

‘You’re from Vietnam?’ My eyes widened.

‘Yes. Everyone here is from Vietnam. You know it?’

I swallowed hard. Of all the places she could have been from, how was it possible that she hailed from the very location that Mike was going to? This was too weird.

‘No—I mean, I’ve heard of it obviously, but I’ve never been. My boyf…’ I paused to correct myself. ‘I have a friend who is moving there. For work. Tomorrow.’ My heart sank. Saying those words was like chewing on barbed wire. It hurt like hell. Tomorrow. It was so soon.

‘That is wonderful! Your friend is very lucky. You will go to visit, yes? I will give you the details of my family. My daughter is in Ho Chi Minh City with her family. If it is not too far from where your friend will stay, you can meet them. They will help you and your friend.’

I didn’t know what to say. Hanh had only just met me and she was about to put me in contact with her family. So generous.

‘I-I… thank you. I’m not sure if I’ll be going, but… I’m hoping to go to China in a couple of years instead. To teach English. Have you been to China?’ I wanted to keep the conversation upbeat, and talking about Vietnam only reminded me that Mike would be leaving, so I tried to steer Hanh in another direction.

‘China is nice, very big and modern, but Vietnam is my home, so of course I think it is wonderful!’ She grinned, acknowledging her bias. ‘Friendly people, delicious food, very cheap to live. We have nice beaches and scenery. You must go!’ She passed me a bowl and spoon before starting to eat the warm broth.

‘Thank you.’ I took a mouthful. Wow. This tasted amazing. I was tempted to shove the whole lot down my mouth. ‘This is so good!’ Hanh smiled, then went over to a computer in the corner of the room.

After turning it on, she moved her mouse around the screen, clicking on different folders. Suddenly her face lit up.

‘Come look.’ She summoned me over to sit with her. ‘I show you photos.’ She scrolled through a variety of pics on the screen.

There were pictures showing azure waters and white sandy beaches, others showing evergreen forests and waterfalls, lush countryside views showcasing what looked like every shade of green, and a colourful bustling city with lots of people on motorbikes or scooters. ‘This is Vietnam.’

God. It looked beautiful. My heart instantly fluttered.

‘It’s stunning.’

‘Yes. It is.’

‘I’d really love to go, but I don’t know how.’

‘How? You buy ticket and take plane,’ she laughed.

‘Of course, but I have to give a lot of notice, and my flat… but I really want to be with him…’ What was I doing? This was supposed to be a professional meeting. I shouldn’t be offloading my personal problems onto a stranger.

‘Aha!’ Hanh’s face beamed. ‘You go for love! Lots of work for English teachers in Vietnam. Finding new job is easy. But finding new love? That I think is more difficult… wait here.’ She got up again, went into a drawer and pulled out a plastic bag. ‘Take this.’ She handed me a book. It was a Lonely Planet’s Guide to Vietnam. ‘I find in charity shop and was going to give it to one of my client who wants to visit, but I think you need it more.’

‘Thank you for this, but it’s too generous. I can’t take it.’

‘You must. Read it and you will see. I have a customer now.’ She scooped the last of the food in her mouth.

‘Well, at least let me give you some money for it?’

‘Not necessary. You come and give lesson this weekend, yes? That is fine. Call me tomorrow to arrange the time. Okay?’

‘Sure. Okay. Thank you.’ I put the book into my bag and followed her out into the main part of the salon. ‘Speak to you tomorrow.’

‘Yes.’ Hanh nodded. ‘Remember to read it. Then book ticket and take plane. Sometimes things do not have to be complicated.’

As I left the salon, I wondered if that could be true.

My phone chimed. It was Cassie, asking about the meeting and ranting about her flatmate. Couldn’t be easy living with someone like that. Especially knowing you’d signed a contract, which meant you couldn’t leave anytime soon. I felt for her. I did for Melody too. Her landlord was still dragging his feet about sorting out the damp in her place.

Hold on…

What if…?

Suddenly it hit me. Maybe Hanh was right. Maybe things didn’t have to be so complicated.

I’d just had a brainwave and found a solution to one of my problems.

Maybe there was hope after all…