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I can hear a buzz of interest co fro A mirrored door to a stockroo out, surrounded by a gaggle of eager assistants What on earth is she holding? Why is everyone so--

Then suddenly I catch a gli My heart stops My skin starts to prickle

It can’t be

But it is She’s carrying an Angel bag

Three

IT’S AN ANGEL bag In the flesh

I thought they were all sold out everywhere I thought they were totally iet hold of

The woman sets it down ceremoniously on a creamy suede pedestal and stands back to admire it The whole shop has fallen silent It’s like a member of the royal family has arrived Or aIt’s totally stunning The calfskin looks as soft as butter The handpainted angel is all in delicate shades of aquamarine And underneath is the nas are all wobbly and my hands feel sweaty This is better thanthe white tigers in Bengal I s are probably rarer than white tigers

And there’s one in front of h norina? Can you hear hts, and I realize Silvia at the till is trying to get my attention

"Oh," I say, flustered "Yes" I pick up the pen and scribble any old signature "So… is that a real Angel bag?"

"Yes, it is," she says in a s, bored tone, like a bouncer who knows the band personally and is used to dealing with besotted groupies

"How much…" I s "How ht" I nod

Two thousand euros For a bag

But if I had an Angel bag I wouldn’t need to buy any new clothes Ever Who needs a new skirt when you have the hippest bag in town?

I don’t care how much it is I have to have it

"I’d like to buy it, please," I say in a rush