This Can't Be Real

Chapter 22

"Zachary, stay close so we know where you are." Joe's words are said in somewhat of a warning tone as we walk into Harvey Nichols.

The shops's bright and spacious space is something I'm not used to seeing in high street stores. The term 'less is more' is something designer shops must go by. For all they won't have very much laid out on the shop floor, you don't have to worry because it's not as if everyone that passes through the shop doors will buy those specific items, and can afford to buy them. Some merely enter the stores to browse the items they wish they could afford.

Joe's hand casually finds mine and I'm guided towards the area of the ground floor that has a varied collection of sunglasses on show.

"As it's technically summer, you need to have a new pair of sunglasses to wear." Joe tells me. We stop by the women's collection of sunglasses. "Pick any or as many as you'd like."

I gawk at him, my eyes widening as the words slip from his mouth so casually. "Joe, I can't."

"Leigh," he sighs, moving closer to me till there's no gap between us. "I said I'd buy you anything and everything you want. It won't break my bank account. Trust me. Plus, you're my wife and I want to provide for you and our kids. Let me do that."

I blink a few times before looking at the sunglasses before us. I move till I'm looking at the sunglasses face on, my eyes scanning over every pair as I eye up a potential pair to get. "Anything?"

"Whatever your heart desires," he confirms. He moves to stand behind me and his free hand rests on my hip. I smile to myself and relax into his hold.

My eyes scan over all the sunglasses numerous times before settling on a pair of simple black square framed ones by Givenchy. I reach for them and pass them to Joe.

"Those ones." I tell him, turning in his hold to look at him.

"Are you sure?" He asks, almost questioning my choice of sunglasses. I nod. "Positive?"

"Very."

"Alright." He looks away from me towards the sales advisor that's standing close by and nods once at her. She walks to us and Joe hands the sunglasses over to her. "We'll take these ones."

"Of course, Mr Hart," she smiles.

"And . . ." Joe starts. He leaves my side for a second and returns with a pair of black Ray-Ban sunglasses for himself. ". . . and these."

"Will you be buying anything else in the store today, Mr. Hart? If you are, I can have these set aside for you until you're ready to purchase the other items."

"If you don't mind. I think we will be," Joe tells her.

"I'll have someone send the sunglasses up to one of the other tills for you at checkout."

"Thanks."

The woman smiles at us before she turns and walks away. When she's out of earshot, we make our way up to the first floor.

"Let me guess, you always come in here?" I ask, stepping off the escalator after Zachary jumps off it with Joe holding onto his hands and helping him do so.

"That and the fact that I'm a footballer helps, too." He keeps a hold of one of Zachary's hands in his and reaches for mine with his free hand. "Not jealous are you?"

I scowl. "Why would I be jealous?"

"Hmm, nothing. Just thought I'd ask.

"That's sweet of you, but I'm not jealous. Just bewildered at the fact you can walk into a shop and not bat an eyelid at the prices of things."