Though the salon had only just opened its doors, and not a single customer had stepped inside, Antoinette had already seized the room’s attention. Everyone waited eagerly to learn how Antoinnette and Tess’s grandmother had crossed paths over half a century earlier.
Antoinnette: “That Irish Tea Shop logo on your shirt caught my eye. Their shop’s just a block from here. the next block over. If you work there, that’d mean
your bosses are the McAlisters… Isla and Hans, if I’m not mistaken?”
Tess: “Yes. I started there back in June. The McAlisters are wonderful to work for and I am loving every minute of it.”
Antoinnette: “Isla and I know each other from a few ladies’ auxiliaries we’re both part of, we even play bridge together sometimes. When I mentioned meeting Jasmine and opening a salon here, she told me she’d just hired a young woman taking the Esthetics course at the college. We both cracked up at how small the world felt!”
Tess: “It’s funny how life overlaps like that sometimes. My grandmother always said this town’s stories are often stitched together by chance…”
Antoinnette: “Last week Isla said you might be stopping in to check us out and that you were a bit on the shy side. Well… Here you are!”
Tess: “Here I am and you know my bosses. Now… I’m bursting to know how you know my grammy.”
Antoinnette: When Isla mentioned your last name was Gailbraith and shared a bit about you, it clicked — I knew there had to be a tie to Gwen. She’s the one who took me under her wing ages ago, She’s the reason I’m even here.”
Jasmine: “It sounds as if she really changed your life.”
Antoinnette: “Oh, dear… More than you could imagine. Thirty years old, and Gwen took a chance on me, gave me the loan to open my very first salon. Three salons later, she was president of the bank, still reviewing my profit margins over tea. Some people… they don’t just change your life. They build it.”
Renata: “Miss Antoinette, that’s extraordinary… It sounds as if Gwen really believed in you.”
Dio: “Yes, yes! Is there more to tell? If so, please do.”
Antoinnette: “Very well. I shall continue. After Gwen retired, she went into investing as a second career. From there she handled all of our family investments. We were friends first and clients second.”
Oleg: “To clarify, you’re attributing the majority of your success to Gwen’s involvement and contributions?”
Antoinnette: “Precisely dear. It was all thanks to her. Not only did she get me started, she reshaped Nelson’s whole future. Investing? That was her idea. When he switched paths, she pulled strings to land him his first role in finance.”
Nelson: “That’s very true. Our family is very indebted for all she has done for us.”
Tess: “That is such a moving tribute. I was only eight when she passed, so much of her life remains only fragments I vaguely remember.”
Antoinnette: “She spoke about you all the time. It gave her such joy being a grandmother. It was very disheartening to me when the world lost her.
Honouring her legacy the way she deserved… I’ve waited decades for the right opportunity.”
Jasmine: “Miss A, perhaps there is a way you can honour your old friend.”
Antoinnette: “Whatever do you mean dear? She has been gone quite some time now.”
Mindy: “Miss A! You better watch out. Jasmine has that shrewd look in her in her eye.”
Antoinnette: “Don’t leave me in suspense dear. Please tell me your idea.”
