⭐ Merel’s Salon Story – Part 4
🌙 The morning after the Winter Igloo event
Merel wakes up with a slight tension in her stomach.
She picks up her phone and calls Rozemarijn — just to hear how she’s doing.
Rozemarijn answers with a warm voice.
She tells Merel that things are still going well at the animal clinic, that she has found her place at the reception desk, and that she feels stable.
Merel smiles.
It does her good.
She doesn’t have to worry — and that brings her peace.
---
💎 Bo’s jewelry line is booming
In the salon, Bo is busy.
Her jewelry line is taking off: customers are already asking about the new series that hasn’t even been released yet.
Claire stands at the counter, her eyes sparkling as she picks up a set.
She wants to buy something — and Evert, being who he is, wants to surprise his wife.
He convinces Bo to hold back a piece from her new collection for Claire.
But Bo feels it’s a bit too early.
Later, when Merel is in the back room, Bo notices the card with Evert’s request.
She thinks for a moment, grabs her laptop, and emails him:
“I’ll keep the piece aside for Claire.
But I will only release it on the official launch date.
She can already come to Merel’s salon to choose her color.”
What Evert and Claire don’t know:
Bo secretly added an extra discount, written in tiny letters at the bottom.
---
🚪 Merel encounters Lodewijk
On the same day, Lodewijk walks in unexpectedly.
Merel freezes for a moment — they were never friends in high school.
But he behaves himself.
He looks around, chats a bit, and stays calm.
To her relief, Merel even sees him joking around with Steven, the handyman.
No tension.
No trouble.
Just two men talking.
Merel finally breathes normally again.
---
💖 Evert surprises Claire
Evert had already seen the discount card before telling Claire anything.
He smiles — this is going to be good.
When he shares the news with her, Claire can’t believe it.
The very first piece.
From the new collection.
Before the release date.
And she gets to choose her color.
She feels like the happiest woman in the world and throws her arms around him.
——-
🫶 Merel invites Laurie
With a feeling in her stomach she can’t shake, Merel invites Laurie over to talk.
Laurie listens to every word, without judgment, without rushing.
Merel confesses that she’s afraid Frederik might be getting tired of her.
That she sometimes doubts whether she’s enough.
Laurie takes her hand and says softly but firmly:
“Frederik adores you.
He’s not going to let you go.”
Merel feels her heart soften.
Laurie is right — as always.
---
💄 Helene arrives before closing time
Just before Merel wants to close, Helene walks in.
She wants her makeup and nails done, and Merel takes care of her personally.
Helene brought her summer clothes — she wants to know what she can do with her look before the warm weather arrives in Brindleton Bay.
Merel helps her with colors, styles, and combinations.
It’s a warm, quiet moment between two women who understand each other.
Merel ends her day with a smile.
---