Personal Shopper

My Dear Princess and Dear Fellow,

It was just me and Olivia at lunch today. And it was such a beautiful day that I asked Olivia if she wanted ice-cream after. 

But we discovered that neither of us is that fussed about ice-cream! 

Olivia felt the need to apologise. "I'm not like all those women on films who sublimate their feelings in a tub of ice-cream," she told me. 

Then I realised we were near Starbucks. "Frappuccino?" I suggested.

This was more intriguing to her. "I haven't had one of those since I was a teenager!" she told me. So off we went. 

On our way, we passed the bag shop. Olivia told me she had been swithering over a bag for ages. As a practised shopper, I was happy to help. 

"Caro has taught me well," I explained.

And indeed I asked all the questions. What was the bag for? What would she wear it with? Did she need shoes?

I've had 25 years of practice. 

In the end, Olivia did not buy the bag. She is still ruminating. But I think I helped. In any event, Olivia reciprocated by buying the frappuccinos. 

We got back to the office where our colleagues responded IN HORROR to Starbucks cups. "He's a Pom, he doesn't know any different," said one BA.

When Olivia and I explained they weren't REAL coffees, they relaxed a little but then I made the mistake of saying it was because neither of us really likes ice-cream. 

"I don't even know how we are friends!" said Briar, and flounced off in a huff.

S.