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"Could be," says the"They can be tricky Of course, this one," he adds, slapping it cheerfully, "was ht," I say after a pause "Yes Well, anyway Thanks for your help"

"Any tiets back onto his tread

Oh God, that was really eed, to the foyer of the hotel for the walking tour, I feel a little deflated Maybe Luke’s right Maybe I won’t cope with the pace of New York Maybe it’s a stupid idea,here with hi to keep up with a whole city?

A group of sightseers has already assembled -- mostly much older than me and attired in a variety of sensible windbreakers and sneakers They’re all listening to a young, enthusiasticabout the Statue of Liberty

"Hi there!" he says, breaking off as I approach "Are you here for the tour?"

"Yes, please," I say

"And your na a little as all the others turn to look at me "I paid at the desk, earlier"

"Well, hi, Rebecca!" says theoff on his list "I’ shoes on?" He looks down at ht purple, kitten heel, last year’s Bertie sale) and his cheery smile falters "You realize this is a three-hour tour? All on foot?"

"Absolutely," I say in surprise "That’s why I put these boots on"

"Right," says Christoph after a pause "Well -- OK" He looks around "I think that’s it, so let’s start our tour!"

He leads the way out of the hotel, onto Fifty-seventh Street It’s a wide and busy street, with canopied entrances and trees planted at intervals and li shops As everyone else follows Christoph briskly along the pave upward It’s an aht bouncing off the paves -- and as I look around I’m completely filled with awe God, this city is an incredible place I mean, obviously I knew that New York would be full of tall skyscrapers But it’s only when you’re actually standing in the street, staring up at theaze up at the tops of the buildings against the sky, untilto feel dizzy Then slowly my eyes wander down, floor by floor to shop- level And I findat tords Prada and Shoes

Ooh

Prada Shoes Right in front of me