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I stare at her, unable to speak

"Maybe Peter is his baptisestures to odmother!" exclaims the wo

"Now, perhaps you can tell me" The woman comes forward and lowers her voice confidentially "Did Tim accept Maud’s offer?"

I look around the silent shop Everyone is waiting for my answer

"Erm… yes, he did! Actually, I think I’ll pay by cash" I fumble in e"

"What about your scented candle?" says the shop owner "You can choose fro toward the door

"Wait!" calls the worated to Australia," I say, and slam the door behind o home

As I reach the corner of our road, I pause and do a little rearranging of s Which is to say, I put them all in one LK Bennett carrier, and push the the I’ll be able to scuttle intoon the floor of the hall, parceling soet the shoes?"

"Yes," I say brightly "Absolutely Right size, and everything"

"Let’s have a look then!"

"I’ll just… unpack the to keep relaxed But I know I look guilty I’uiltily

"Bex," she says suddenly "What else is in that bag? That’s not just one pair of shoes"

"Bag?" I turn as though in surprise "Oh, this bag Erm… just a few… bits and pieces You know… odds and ends…"

I tail away guiltily as Suze folds her ar as stern as she can

"Show me"