Well, I found some – flats I mean. In fact I found a couple of pairs both due to, or perhaps in spite of, the rudeness of a sales assistant in our local John Lewis. What is it about shoe sales people that makes them so tetchy?

The story goes…. I had spotted a pair in John Lewis that seemed to fit the bill exactly. Suede ballerina shoes by Hobbs at £99, so not cheap but they had a slight wedge heel giving me the height I craved along with the comfort of a softer fabric. Unfortunately, I didn’t find them until 5.30pm – closing time - so I was ushered out before I could try them on. I went back the next day, waiting in line for them to open their doors, an eager Cinderella ready to find the perfect shoe (I already have my Prince Charming!) Disappointingly, the Hobbs shoes “are only available, Madame, in sizes 3 and 7. Perhaps you should have come earlier in the year if you wanted them that much”. When asked if I could purchase online – we don’t have a Hobbs store in Peterborough -  the response, not surprisingly, “I doubt it”.

Luckily, a younger, much more friendly assistant noticed my utter frustration and came rushing over. After asking what I was looking for, and listening to my replies, she found me a pair that weren’t exactly what I’d had in mind but fitted the bill nicely and, at £30 cheaper, I was a happy customer again. 

Having paid, I decided to take a look in Top Shop and was delighted to find the only surviving pair of ballerina flats in black suede. Much nicer than the Hobbs pair and, amazingly, this last available pair was in my size and in the sale at only £25. How cool is that? So I went home with 2 pairs totalling less than my original choice. 

I know you would want to see what I bought so I’ve placed a picture of the black Dune wedges from John Lewis above left.  The other pair? It wouldn’t take a genius to guess that those were the ones I really wanted and, yes, I did try them on and they looked amazing, but I DID NOT buy.