Chapter 1 – Scissors

Pilsen, today

1.1

The salon in the midday gloom looked like an expensive, quiet temple. The air was filled with a typical blend of scents that seemed to get under Alex’s skin: the heavy aroma of sandalwood from luxury candles, a hint of expensive orchid shampoos, and the slightly sharp, clean smell of tool disinfectant.

Everything was shining. Black leather armchairs reflected the dim light of designer lamps, and the huge mirrors showed the emptiness of a space that was usually full of life. Without the noise of hairdryers and the chatting of customers, you could only hear the monotonous sound of rain beating against the shop window and the ticking of a designer clock above the reception desk. These were the symbols of success which sometimes calmed Alex down, but today they rather irritated him.

Alex was going through papers. Receipts and invoices from suppliers, VAT reports – this was the biggest nightmare of his business.

When he still had his old salon, everything was much easier, so sometimes when he got angry at the paperwork, he would swear with words which definitely didn’t belong in a shiny, snobbish salon: “Fucking hell, this VAT, I miss the golden days at Alex Hair!”

But he knew very well that the real golden days only started when David arrived. His former classmate from vocational school had spent about 8 years in a top London salon, where he worked his way up, and after his return to Pilsen, he changed Alex’s hairdresser’s shop into an exclusive salon with customers from all over the country.

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gloom – šero, přítmí, scents – vůně, hint – náznak, nádech, VAT – DPH (value added tax), to swear – klít, nadávat

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