Page 57 of The Girl in the Woods

‘Let me try on the shoes first,’ said Laine, pointing to a pair of red heels in the shop window.

The shoe shop was lovely and cool. ‘I love air conditioning,’ sighed Jassy.

Boots and shoes lay on the floor where people were trying them on. Ladies with posh voices were strolling back and forth in new shoes. ‘I’m really not comfortable,’ whispered Jassy. ‘All these posh people and stuff.’

‘Enjoy it.’ Laine smiled. ‘Can I try on the red shoes in the window?’ Laine asked an assistant.

Laine and Jassy waited while the assistant got Laine’s size.

Jassy stared at the shoes in wonder. ‘Aw, look at those,’ she said, watching with envy as Laine tried them on.

‘I love them,’ said Laine. ‘I want to wear them to the village fair. How much?’

‘A hundred and seventy-five pounds,’ said the assistant without batting an eyelid.

Jassy gasped. ‘You what?’

‘I’ll take them,’ said Laine.

Jassy stared at her in shock. ‘What?’ she said, grabbing Laine’s arm. ‘Are you out of your mind? Where have you got a hundred and seventy-five quid to spend on a pair of sodding shoes?’

‘In here,’ said Laine, pulling out her purse and showing Jassy the wad of notes inside.

‘Jesus,’ breathed Jassy.

Laine took the branded bag from the assistant and walked proudly from the shop.

‘What? How? I mean, blimey,’ stuttered Jassy. ‘Did you rob a bank?’

‘I’m getting a really nice dress too and some jewellery. I want Sajid to see what he’s lost.’

Laine pulled a stunned Jassy into Costa Coffee.

‘I’ll get them,’ said Laine, opening her purse.

She saw Jassy looking at the wad of notes.

‘Where did you get all that?’ Jassy asked, shocked.

‘What you don’t know can’t get you into trouble.’ Laine smiled.

Jassy was too dazed to reply.

Laine returned with coffee and muffins. ‘Look at your face,’ she laughed. ‘Don’t worry. I can buy us both a nice dress.’

‘But–’

‘Look, don’t ask, and I won’t tell. There’s more where this came from.’

Jassy looked worried. ‘You’ll get into trouble, Laine.’

Laine tucked into her muffin. ‘I won’t, honest. We’ll get dresses after this and go to that Thai place for lunch.’

Jassy was finding it hard to swallow her muffin, not knowing where the money came from to pay for it. How could she possibly eat a Thai meal? Then again, she reasoned, it wasn’t her problem. After all, she didn’t nick the dosh, and it probably came from some posh nob who could afford it.

‘Okay,’ said Jassy, biting into her chocolate muffin. ‘Why not?’ Why shouldn’t we tuck into a slap-up meal for once in our lives?

Laine smiled. ‘Let’s enjoy ourselves.’

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