Romy's Salon (Kapsalon Romy)

ROMY'S SALON

I used to think I knew everything. And that my gran was stupid.

In truth, I didn't know anything.

- How many days? - Five days. Plus the odd nightshift.

That's great. Congratulations.

- I'll need a childminder. - I'm sure you do.

Could you help me out?

- Me? - No.

- Could Romy come here after school? - I don't know.

I do not have the time. I'm on my own, you know.

- She could go upstairs. - Upstairs?

Bringing her friends and making a mess? I don't think so.

I need the extra hours, Mum. I need your help.

Stine Rasmussen. That's my gran's name.

It is Danish. Just like my gran.

- Hey, Romy. Say hi to Stine for me. - Okay.

This is our story.

The story of me and my gran.

Here already?

For God's sake, take off those shoes.

And take yourself upstairs. Scoot.

- I am really happy with it. - Great.

Let me just give it a little spray. Very gently.

Close the door for the cat.

You look cute.

Hey, Jens.

Do you have to stay upstairs too?

Romy?

Okay, times five makes twenty.

So, let's see. This should be... I don't understand.

Okay, add this, and this and this.

That should make two hundred.

- Three hundred. - Please be quiet.

No, look. That two needs to be a three. Three hundred.

Sure. I know that.

I know how to count. I've been doing this for donkey's years.

No. You haven't finished.

- Hey, Mum. - Hi.

- Hey, darling. - I have food for you.

- Never mind, Mum. - Why?

I... I already ate a sandwich.

And I need to get Romy to bed. Come on.

- Bye, Granny. - Bye.

- Bye, Granny. - Granny.

See you tomorrow.

How was your day?

I don't want to go to Gran.

- Can't I stay with Dad? - He doesn't have a house.

I can look after myself.

- You're only ten. - Right. Ten.

Ten year old girls can't stay home alone.

I can.

I'm not having this conversation again.

You're going to your gran's tomorrow. All right?

Shoot, Romy. Over here.

- Yes. Well done. - Tess? Are you coming?

Did you have a nice day?

- See you tomorrow. - Yeah, see you.

Still here?

Off you go, to your Gran. Tomorrow's another day.

Bye, Miss Pauline.

Hi.

- Enjoy. - Thanks!

Sweetie, please. John doesn't want you here.

A Sprite, please.

You know what we agreed. After school, you go to your...

Gran.

Can you get it for me?

This one's on me.

Margot?

See you tonight.

What are you doing?

Service.

One euro, please.

- So this holds everything. - Everything you make in a day.

Really? That's handy.

I'll leave the instructions for you to read at your leisure.

- Okay. I see. - Have a nice day.

Bye.

No. Do not touch.

- Was the other one broken? - No, just old.

This one should last me the next 20 years.

- Do you plan to keep working that long? - Sure. Why not?

Because you're already quite old?

I'm only 69, you know.

Off with you.

Sweetie, you must stop coming to visit me at work.

John doesn't like it.

What's that?

Nothing.

Where did you get this?

Romy?

I earned it washing windows.

This much?

Daddy gave it to me. Pocket money.

- Romy. Has he still not come? - No.

- Why don't you come and wait inside? - I'm all right.

Hey, princess.

Hi, sweetie.

- In front? - Sure.

- What if the police come? - I'll just speed off.

- The dessert menus. Here you go. - Thank you.

Dad? Can I really not stay with you after school?

What? With me?

Not every day. Just once or twice a week.

Sure. Great.

But Sandra would be there too.

Sweetheart, it is her house.

Here.

I don't need it.

Take it anyway.

Say hello to your mum? Bye.

- Well? Did you have fun? - No.

That's how it started.

Every day, I had to be in that salon full of old people.

But old people can surprise you, as I soon discovered.

Hey, girlie. Do you have a cigarette for me?

Maybe we should have another look at it together, Stine.

Your accounts don't tally.

- Do you have a cigarette? - No, Marie. No smoking in here.

Just the one.

How about a cup of coffee? Let's sit down.

- Just the one. - Come with me.

Mrs. Van Donkhorst, not here again?

- Do you have a cigarette for me? - No, sorry.

- Bye, Marie. - Come.

Bye.

Come, dear. Let's go find you a cigarette.

Jens?

Jens?

Hey, Jens. All snuggled up in Granny's chair?

My dearest Stine...

I'm writing this letter in Dutch, because you have to practise.

I hope I'll be able to come to Denmark again soon.

I can't wait to see you again, with your lovely cheeks.

Will you send me a fresh picture? Lots of love, Henk.

I want that one.

- Which one's yours? - This one.

- Ten past four already? - Can I come?

- It's not allowed. - Pity.

Let's see. Cut and style. That makes 16 euros.

Right. Let me see...

This should...

I need your help. I don't know how to work that thing.

Sorry, my dog's been home alone all day.

Of course. I understand.

I'll get it from here.

So, 16 euros. That means...

Let's see. You gave me twenty.

16 euros. That means you're getting...

Right. That's it.

Sixteen. Seventeen. Eighteen. Nineteen. And that makes twenty.

- Thank you. - Here you go.

No, silly me.

- See you next week. - Bye. Say hi to Frits.

Well, how clever.

Thank you so much. Good job.

Right. And then...

I still don't know.

- Go back. I was watching that. - But it scares me.

You should have been in bed already. And Van Putten will be here shortly.

- Mr. van Putten? - Yes. To help me with my accounts.

- What are you looking at? - Maybe he's in love.

What? With me? Don't be silly.

You need to get to bed now. It is really late.

No, give that to me.

Thank you.

I'll come and look in on you in a bit.

Did you brush your teeth?

Yes? Let's see. Well done.

Where is that?

That's Sundby beach. In Denmark.

Our cottage was close to the sea.

Strandlřkken 17.

I got lost there once. When I was little.

- Do you know who took me home? - No.

The same man who painted this picture.

Your granddad. Grandpa Henk.

Such a lovely man.

- But he was from Holland. - Yes.

But he always spent the summer in Denmark.

And lucky for me, very near to where I was.

Who can that be?

- Weren't you expecting Van Putten? - Van Putten?

I don't feel like seeing him. I'm not answering the door.

But wasn't he meant to help you with your accounts?

Right. My accounts.

I'd forget my head if it wasn't screwed on tight.

Anyway. You get some sleep.

And don't forget to switch off your light.

- Good night. - Night.

Of course I'm sure. You just don't know how to count.

Don't look at me like that. Do you think I'm crazy?

That's not what I'm saying.

But when I add up all of your earnings, there should be enough money.

- Well, good. - Not so good.

Because the money's not there. You're in the red.

- That's strange. - Yes. Quite.

Granny?

Granny?