The shoes that eat socks

The sun flooded into the room through the curtains waking Mary from her sleep.  
She turned with a groan and a stretch wondering what adventures could happen on this lovely day.  With a roll and a second stretch for good measure she made her way down the stairs for breakfast.

  “Good morning mum” said Mary with a cheerful smile.

“Morning Mary” said a sleepy mum while she tried to feed Joe. 

Mary made herself some of her favorite cereal and sat down to enjoy it while thinking about all of the brilliant adventures she could get up to on such a beautiful day.

“Would you like to go around the shops today” asked mum snapping Mary out of her day dream. 

“No” replied Mary with a scowl and a frown, why would I want to go shopping on such a lovely day she thought to herself.

“Well you need some new shoes for school.  You cannot wear your red trainers they are and falling apart and are far too small for you.” Stated mum with a scowl of her own.

What rubbish thought Mary they fit perfectly she thought in a huff as she got up from her chair and headed upstairs to get dressed. 

Mary put on her favorite pair of jeans with the red stitching detail on the pockets, with a red t-shirt and her caramel cardigan.  She brushed her curly hair carefully, she didn't like it when mum did it she was too quick and didn't undo the tugs she just brushed through them which hurt.  Once all the hair was brushed and sort of organised.  
The search was on for the least holey pair of socks.  This was where it got difficult.  All of her socks had at least one hole in them; it could be at the toe or the heel or both.  It took a while but she found 2 socks that almost matched and only had wee holes which Mary hoped wouldn't be seen by mum or anyone else.  Mary wondered down the stairs and grabbed her favorite shoes.  She picked up the left shoe.  She always but on the left shoes first as it was the most fragile one, it had a big crack in the side and possibly a hold at the front that Mary tried her best to hide.  Next it was on to the right shoe which also had a tear and a possible new hole. Darn thought Mary maybe mum is right, but these are the best shoes I’ve ever had she thought with a frown.

Just as Mary stood up, she heard mum coming out of her bedroom with Joe all ready to head into town.  Mum and Joe got down the stairs and mum put Joe into the pushchair and mum found her coat and passed Mary her jacket too.  Mary put on her jacket as mum prepared everything they would need for the day. 

Mary opened the door and slowly walked down the garden path with a sad face.  She didn't want to get new shoes.  Mum followed her and they all se off for town with Mary walking slowly behind.  It didn't matter how slowly Mary walked.  They were in town in no time and headed for the shiny shoe shop on the corner.

It was bright.  Lots of lovely new shoes lined the walls on shelves.  So many Mary couldn't decide where to look first.  Mum went over to the counter and returned with a lady to help.  The lady had a big smile and was holding a wooden device. 

“Good morning” the lady said with a cheery voice, “how are you today?  I hear you might be getting some new shoes.  My name is Emily and I’m going to find you the best pair” stated the lady joyfully.  

“First we need to find the perfect size for you” with that the lady grabbed her device and asked Mary to sit down so she could measure her feet.  

Thank goodness thought Mary, thank goodness she had made the effort to find the most hole less socks.  Mary popped her foot on the device one at a time as Emily instructed while garbling some story.  Emily then rushed off and returned with several pairs of shoes for Mary to try on.  Mum selected the first pair.  

They were very boring thought Mary, just black but they did have Velcro to tie them together.  Emily put them on Mary and let her tie them up with the Velcro, then asked her to stand up.  Mary stood up; she couldn't understand why Emily had her thumb by her big toe or why she made her bang her heel on the floor first.  “I’m just checking these shoes are the right fit for you” stated Emily almost reading Mary’s mind.  Mary hoped she couldn't, she didn't want her to know she wasn't very fond of this pair.  

“Could you walk to the back of the shop and come back to me please” Emily requested.  

Mary did as she was told.  She got back to where her mum and Emily were sitting “how did you get on? Did they fit alright?” asked mum and Emily in unison “they are fine, a bit roomy but fine” stated Mary.  

“How about we try a few more pairs to make sure we have the perfect one’s for you” Emily said with a big smile.  Mary tried on so many more shoes, some were good, some were a bit rubbish and some were just bad. 

Mary was starting to get frustrated and Joe was starting to get bored.  

Just when they had all started to give up Emily took over the last pair of shoes.  They were still black but they had pink and purple stitching on them and even a wee butterfly on the side.  They were lace up ones.  Mary didn't mind she had just learnt how to do her laces up herself, dad had shown her with a song. 

“Hands are dancing hands are dancing, then criss cross, than criss cross.  One of them goes under, one of them goes over then pull through, then pull through.“

Then he made two bunny ears out of the loops with the laces and the song changed to

“Bunny ears are dancing, bunny ears are dancing, one of them goes under, one of them goes under then pull through then pull through”

And we’re done, you've tied up your own laces he said with delight.  

Mary tried on the last pair of shoes on.  Emily did all the tests, checking there was enough space at the front and making sure Mary wouldn't get blisters on her heels from the back.  Then advised her to walk back and forth again to double check. 

Mary was delighted.  These fitted beautifully, they didn't pinch her toes and didn't nip at her heels like her other ones did.  These were super; so comfortable to walk in maybe she could even run or jump in them too.  She was sure she would still be able to climb in them.  

“Can I have these ones please mum?” Mary asked her mum with hope.  

“Of course” mum said with a smile, Joe was even giggling in his pushchair.  Mary thought he liked them too.  

Emily asked if Mary would like to keep them on or if she would like to keep them all new and shiny for school?.  Mary asked for them to be popped back into the box so she could surprise her friends when she went for their first day at school together.  

With delight all round, mum paid for the shoes and they all thanked the staff at the shoe shop and headed home with big smiles on everyone's faces, but mostly Mary's she couldn't wait to show dad.

 THE END

©Joanne Hepburn