Valentine's Dinner?

21. Harrods

Jason rushed across the sidewalk and stood in front of the two reporters, blocking their access to Valerie and Chloe. "Gentlemen! Enough." He stood his ground while the two women turned and continued on their way.

Valerie took Chloe's hand and led her briskly to the entrance, and once inside, they headed past the escalators and lifts, through the Cosmetics Hall to the much more crowded Food Halls. As they browsed among the fruit and vegetables, Chloe asked, "They're bad men, aren't they, Mummy?"

"No, not bad, Sweetheart. Just not very considerate. They're doing their job, trying to make news, but without concern for the feelings of others."

"So we're hiding from them too?"

"Avoiding is a more appropriate word. It's better to have the PR people handle things such as this." Once Valerie was sure they weren't being followed, she led Chloe past the cheese and charcuterie and out of the Food Halls to the lifts, taking a car to the fifth floor.

As they walked along the aisles past Prada, Dior and Chanel, Chloe squeezed her mother's arm and nodded to two women in hijabs and abayas. "We should buy headscarves like those, so we're harder to see."

Valerie chuckled, then paused and nodded. "That might be a good idea. Our red hair is like a beacon, isn't it? Let me think about it." She patted Chloe's hand as they arrived at the Personal Shopping office.

Within a minute, their assigned shopping assistant arrived, introduced herself as Avril, and asked how she could assist.

Valerie explained, "Today, we need two beds with bedding and towels and so on. We'll see what else we need after the removers arrive."

"What type of bed do you wish?"

"The spaces demand one king and one much larger."

"And your budget?"

"Quality is the only criterion."

Avril motioned toward the door. "We can begin at Savoir – this way, please. The escalator will be the quickest from here."

As they descended, Valerie said, "We were accosted by reporters as we arrived, and my daughter suggested hijabs to disguise our hair. Would we find some here?"

"Most certainly. We have a broad selection." She studied Valerie's face. "With your striking looks, you're instantly recognisable. You're the woman being harassed on Twitter, aren't you?" She raised her hand to her mouth. "Sorry. I've stepped over the line."

Valerie grimaced as she nodded. May as well admit it. She knows, anyway. "Yeah. My head. The bodies are all Photoshopped onto it."

"I saw that explanation, and I'm sure most are aware of it. Yet, people continue retweeting." She shook her head. "Malicious, or maybe just unthinking. Let me take you first to the Islamic clothing area. Find a disguise that will allow you to relax with the rest of your shopping."

Ten minutes later, with their peach-coloured hijabs wrapped in place by the sales assistant, Valerie and Chloe followed Avril to the third floor, where she introduced them to Albert on the Savoir sales floor. 

"Our name has been synonymous with the finest quality since 1905 when we became the supplier of beds to the Savoy Hotel." Albert continued with a précis of the company as he showed Valerie a range of beds.

"This is the evolution of our original hotel bed design, the Number 2." He moved along. "And this is our Number 1, the choice of the elite. It's a full emperor, two metres ten by two metres ten, nearly seven by seven feet."

Valerie looked at it and nodded. "Great size, but, unfortunately, it won't fit through our doors."

Albert removed the counterpane and pointed. "Both the base and the mattress can be made to hinge. We've been moving these beds through all manner of small entrances in Britain for over a century."

Valerie nodded and walked along to the next bed. "I like this headboard."

"This is our George IV model." He removed the counterpane. The side drawers are burled walnut, as is the base trim." He pointed to the divan. "The box spring is often neglected. People talk about the mattress or the topper, thinking the top layer is what matters, but the divan is also an important aspect of comfort. It's really a combination of everything."

Valerie pressed down on the top of the bed. "May we try it?"

"Yes, certainly. Allow me to replace the counterpane."

Once the mattress was covered again, Valerie and Chloe sat on the bed, bounced a bit and then lay down.

As they tried a variety of postures, Albert continued his spiel. "We use only natural materials; curled horse tail hair, cashmere wool, lambswool, and cotton. All breathable, unlike synthetics."

"What do you think, Sweetheart?"

"It's about as good as my bed now, but a lot bigger."

"Yeah. Maybe I could buy this and give you my king; it's as comfortable as this. We could have it brought over." Valerie watched Albert roll his eyes as she sat up. "What is the price of this?"

"These take over a hundred and twenty hours to build, Madam, not the hour or less of most commercial beds. In its standard configuration, this model is forty-seven thousand pounds, bespoke from fifty-five."

"So, about the same as a Hästens, then. That's what we now have."

Avril spoke up, "If I had known, we could have started there." She pointed. "They are the next display floor along."

Valerie smiled as she watched Albert suck his teeth, and then she turned to Avril. "Yes, I was a bit distracted at the start. Perhaps we –"

Albert interrupted. "We could let you have this model for forty-two."

Valerie paused a moment, then turned to face him. "Forty. But only if you have it delivered this afternoon."

Albert stared at her, slowly shaking his head, remaining silent.

Valerie smiled, then shrugged. "Thank you for your time."

As she turned to leave, Albert asked, "Delivered where?"

"Over by Buckingham Palace. Victoria Square."

He sighed, then walked across to his desk and clicked at the keyboard and mouse. "We can have one sent directly from the factory warehouse tomorrow afternoon." He looked again at the screen. "Yes, we can do that."

Won't be back from South Africa until Thursday, anyway. "Fine." She walked across to the bed linen display. "We also need two sets of sheets and pillowcases. Pillows, as well."

"Do you wish fitted bottoms?"

"Yes, please." She took the pad of colour swatches to the headboard. "Let's do the rich cream to coordinate." Then after feeling the weave samples, she added, "The organic Egyptian in a four hundred percale."

A few minutes later, after the payment had been processed and delivery details had been given, they rose from the chairs at the desk. Valerie thanked Albert, then turned to Avril. "Next, we need towels and bath accessories. Also, a duvet and cover."

As Avril led them to the escalator down to the second floor, Chloe asked, "Mummy, why would he drop seven thousand pounds from the price?"

"To make a sale, Sweetheart. He realised we were Hästens clients, and he saw we were about to leave. He's a smart business person, and he'd rather make five or six thousand than lose the sale and make nothing."

"That's why we have money, isn't it? You're also a smart business person."

"Yes, Sweetheart. What colour towels do you want this time?"