The Point of No Return About the author
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The sound of the mirror exploding filled the room, the noise as jagged and sharp as the shards of glass that hit the floor in an almost musical tinkle of static. So much, Connor Fraser thought, for a quiet assignment. He was in Stockbridge, one of the more gentrified areas of Edinburgh’s New Town, all granite buildings, leafy streets, artisan wine stores, exclusive restaurants and, of course, boutique salons where hair could be cut, nails could be buffed and appearances could be maintained. And the salon Connor stood in at that moment was one of the most exclusive. Linklaters was renowned for having the most discerning clients – footballers, politicians and even a few well- kent faces from TV were known to be shorn and groomed by Stuart Linklater or his wife, Audrey. They had appeared in style magazines, hosted a TV makeover show, embarrassingly called The Missing Linklaters, were regulars on the society pages and at all the best parties across central Scotland.
All of which went part of the way to explaining why Stuart Linklater was now lunging towards Connor with a pair of scissors in his hand, perfectly bleached teeth almost glowing as he pulled his perma- tanned features into a sneer. “Move Connor, now!” he hissed, a faint Highland burr softening some of the menace in his voice with a singsong quality Connor almost found funny. “I swear to f***, I’m going to gut that cheating hoor!”
Connor staggered forward a half- step as Audrey slammed into his back, trying to get around him.
“Come on, then, you f***!” she hissed as Connor stood his ground and pushed back. “You think I’m scared of you?” A sneer of laughter, as sharp and cold as what was left of the shattered mirror. “You’re about as threatening as my last shite, Stuart, and it had more backbone. I only brought Connor here because Grant recommended him but, believe me, I don’t need him to deal with a limp- dicked little prick like you!”
The moment the name had been uttered, Connor knew what was going to happen. Grant. As in Grant Lucas. One of the Linklaters’ regular clients, a perfectly coiffed and manicured presenter on STV’S latenight current- affairs programme. And it was current affairs that had led to here, when Audrey had announced her love for Grant and her intention to leave Stuart, taking with her half of their business and the empire they had built up over the last twenty- five years.
Based in Stirling, Neil Broadfoot worked as a journalist for 15 years at both local and national newspapers, including The Scotsman,
Scotland on Sunday and The Edinburgh Evening News. The Point of No Return is published by Constable, price £ 19.99