The Forgetting

by Hannah Beckerman

‘Given we’re having a fresh start, what do you think about getting your hair cut short? I think it would really suit you.’ Without even considering her response, Livvy shook her head. ‘God, no. I’ve always had long hair. I’d feel weird without it.’ She fingered a strand, twiddled it around her finger. Dominic reached out, untangled the hair. ‘It would stop you doing that for a start.’ He looked at her, unblinking. ‘I honestly think it would look great on you. You’ve got such a beautiful face, why hide it beneath all that hair?’ Livvy baulked at the question. Her hair had been long ever since childhood. The thought of cutting it short was anathema to her, like suggesting she cut off a finger, or a toe, or a pound of flesh. ‘I like my hair long. I always have. It feels . . . I don’t know. Comforting.’ ‘But maybe that’s a good reason to get it cut? Wouldn’t you like something a bit more – I don’t know – grown-up?’ Heat flushed Livvy’s cheeks. ‘How is long hair not grown-up? Plenty of adult women have long hair.’ She could hear the defensiveness in her voice, felt annoyed with Dominic for provoking it in her. ‘There’s no need to get irritable. I just think short hair would look great on you. I’m paying you a compliment. Not all women could get away with it.’