There's a mini kind of equestrian shop opened near where we work, not just horsey stuff they do pet supplies too, not sure exactly what you'd call it, we have plenty of countryside and stables not far from the office so they'll probably do okay.
Anyway I ventured in the other day because I was curious, not thinking about whips, crops, horse brushes, jodphurs you understand, just fatally attracted like a moth to light. They had them all as it happens, and after I scurried past some cages with hamsters and pet white mice (mice make me shudder even the friendly ones, how come a lick of white paint's supposed to make them cuddly) I spotted a very nice whip, which I picked up, similar to the one we have but more expensive, they also had longer ones, thinner ones, dressage ones which looked evil. I must have been standing there stroking it absent mindedly when I heard a man's voice say it was a good all rounder and then asked me if I needed any help. Now I've no idea what you're supposed to check when choosing a whip but I'm pretty certain he knew I wasn't a rider. I supposed he must be the owner.
I know I must have gone red, I recovered my thoughts quickly and muttered something about best if my daughter comes in herself and chooses one, she knows what she needs. It didn't sound quite natural, I think I went redder and left the shop.
So I've blown it, I actually fancied a new pair of jodphurs, need a pair in fact because my own which are about twenty years old seem to have shrunk, or at least I had a devil of a job getting into them when they were put to non equestrian use a while back, but I can't go in there again I'd be too embarrassed, in fact I hope I don't bump into him until the memory has faded.
His shop is on route to the post office, the most direct way that is, so I'll be taking the scenic route for a while.
Ronnie
xx
