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No way Not in a million years There’s only one solution left I’ll have to buy it Whatever it costs

I give an ale to snap two of the straps up onto my shoulders That’s better I look like a chicken trussed up in black Lycra, but at least I can et back to the hotel roo off myself with a pair of nail scissors and dispose of the remains in a public bin so Luke doesn’t find theh you knew it didn’t fit? or so

Luke isin a sports-apparel shop in LA We’re eles as soon as possible because of his work, and we’re here on an urgent house-hunting trip That’s our focus this week: Real estate Houses Gardens Rental agreements Very much so I’ve only popped to Rodeo Drive very, very quickly between house appointments

Well, OK The truth is, I canceled a house appointenuine reason for needing to buy so in a race tomorrow afternoon A real race! Me!

I reach for , and walk stiffly out of the cubicle to see Mindy hovering nearby

“Wow!” Her voice is bright but her eyes are shocked “You look …” She coughs “Awesoht?”

“No, it’s perfect,” I say, atte a carefree smile “I’ll take it”

“Great!” She can barely hide her astonishment “So, if you want to take it off, I’ll scan it for you…”

“Actually, I’ll wear it” I try to sound casual “Might as well Can you put ?”

“Right,” says Mindy There’s quite a long pause “You’re sure you don’t want to try the size six?”

“No! Size four is perfect! Really comfy!”

“OK,” says Mindy after a silence “Of course That’ll be eighty-three dollars” She scans the bar code on the tag hanging from my neck, and I reach for my credit card “So, you’re into athletics?”

“Actually, I’ in the Ten Miler tomorrow”

“No way!” She looks up, impressed, and I try to appear nonchalant andrace It’s the race It’s held every year in LA, and loads of high-profile celebrities run it, and they even cover it on E! And I’m in it!