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"Yes," she says, and puts it back down on the shelf

No! I think in disain!

"It’s so difficult to find a nice frame these days," I say conversationally "Don’t you think? When you find one, you should just… buy it! Before soivingaway What can I do?

"Well, I think I’ll get one," I say distinctly, and pick it up "It’ll make a perfect present For a raph fra any notice But neverit, maybe she’ll rethink

I hurry to the checkout, and the woman behind the till smiles at me I think she’s the shop owner, because I’ve seen her interviewing staff and talking to suppliers (Not that I co)

"Hello again," she says "You really like those frames, don’t you?"

"Yes," I say loudly "And such fantastic value!" But the custo

"How ht, now? It must be about… twenty?"

What? My attention snaps back to the shop owner What’s she saying?

"Or even thirty?"

I stare at her in shock Has she been ainst the law?

"Quite a collection!" she adds pleasantly, as she wraps it up in tissue paper

I’ve got to say so all Suze’s fraeneral public Which is ridiculous I ask you, thirty! I’ve only bought about… four Five, ot thatme up with… other people And I didn’t just coaily to shohat a ludicrous idea that is "I actually wanted so carved wooden letters in a nearby basket, and hand the them out on tissue paper one by one

"P… T… R… R"

She stops, and looks at the letters puzzledly "Were you trying to make Peter?"

Oh for God’s sake Does there always have to be a reason to buy things?