An Hour Too Early

Lena had worn her hair long for years, but she wanted to try something different. After looking at several pictures, she called a local hairdresser and booked an appointment for Saturday at ten thirty. She wrote the time on a small card, which she put in her bag so that she would not forget it.

On Saturday, she woke up earlier than usual. She had breakfast quickly and walked to the shop, thinking about the haircut rather than the time. The door was locked and the lights were off. When she checked her watch, it was nine thirty. For a moment, she wondered whether the hairdresser had cancelled the appointment.

Then she found the card in her bag. She had remembered the half hour correctly but had arrived an hour early. Feeling relieved, she went into the café next door and ordered tea. The table by the window gave her a clear view of the shop, so she did not have to keep going outside to check it.

At ten, a man arrived and unlocked the door. Lena finished her tea and walked over. “Would it be all right if I waited inside?” she asked. “Of course,” he replied. “Take a seat while I get everything ready.” She sat by the window and looked again at the picture she had chosen.

At ten thirty, he called Lena over to the mirror and asked how short she wanted her hair. She showed him the picture on her phone. “Like this, please,” she said. She was still nervous, but having time to sit quietly had helped. Arriving early had not changed the appointment; it had made the change itself feel less frightening.