Shopping for School Shoes

We take a ticket showing the largest number known to man: every school child in Leicester is currently in Clarks with us. Whilst squeezed next to a display of patent leather shoes with dolls in the heel we discuss what’s allowed.
Not a doll.
Not patent.
We’re told the internet’s down so the digital foot measurer won’t work. Doll and Patent are mentioned twenty times. After what feels like three days we choose sensible shoes.
The till won’t work without the internet- we can buy them online.
We head home; I feel broken.
Our chosen shoes are out of stock.