Michael Duncannon blearily stumbled into his wife's kitchen where all was abuzz -kettle whistling, bacon sizzling and the smell of tea brewing had dragged him from his bed, he was slightly bewildered as outside the streetlamps were still a beacon in the darkness and the world outside still in somnolence.

'What in the name of all that's holy 'Sumpta!?'he exclaimed as he looked at the kitchen clock which told him wearily that it was just gone five.

He flopped into his favourite armchair by the cosy kitchen fire warming his feet and curling his freezing fingers around  a cup of steaming hot tea his wife had handed him.

'What are you up and about at this ungodly hour for?' he yawned loudly.

'Don't you know Michael Duncannon that today is the start of  Strand's sale in town, all the women will be straining at the bit to be first in for the best bargains, theirs is the best quality merchandise for miles around these parts! You know that Erin's wedding is coming up in a couple of months and I need a nice outfit for the day, you should come too and get yourself a nice new suit!

Michael groaned inwardly when he thought of all those chattering women, pulling and pushing amongst racks and racks of clothes oohing and ahhing, it was his worst nightmare!And what was wrong with his old suit he asked himself, it was still good and comfortably worn in.

'Now isn't that a shame to be sure darlin' when I have work to go to.'

'I thought today you were taking a leave day from work, Michael'

'I was, but then I need to make sure all is in order before the audit, you know how I like my books to be in tip-top order.'

'Oh well, a shame it is, but work comes first, never mind, I'll be looking out for a fetching tie at least and a shirt for you.'

Michael sigh a sigh of relief inwardly, he could take a nap by the fire after she'd left and she'd be none the wiser, later on he would walk down to the brewery where he worked as the accountant, just for an hour to cover his white lie and maybe pop into the Kicking Donkey for a pint and a pie and a bit of craic with the boys, beats those screaming women any day he laughed to himself.

At 6am, the kitchen door swung open rousing Michael from his catnap and in breezed Erin in a cloud of soft perfume and a clatter of heels on the quarry tiles.

'Mornin,' she called out cheerily, Erin was always the same, whatever time of day it was, the youngest of the three sisters and by far the sunniest temperament for sure. Michael smiled, he loved Erin like his own sister, no one who met her could not.

'Ah, now aren't ye the morning glory, ye'd fetch ducks off water me darlin', ye look a picture!'

'Sumpta looked at her little sister, she had to admit Michael was right, fair play to her, Erin looked fresh faced despite the hour, perfectly made up and wearing a lovely sky blue trouser suit with an arty chiffon scarf coiled skilfully around her neck.

'Sumpta handed her an aromatic cup of coffee, Erin's preference, having lived in the States for some years and acquiring a taste for it.
'Cheers Sis,' she took it gratefully, savouring each sip.
So, off went the ladies brimming with excitement about the sale. Michael sighed and settled down with a fresh cuppa for a few hours of uninterrupted bliss.

To Sumpta's chagrin, there was already a heavy throng of ladies outside Strand's when they arrived. As he puffed up her ample bosom and prepared for battle, Erin chuckled,

'You look like an angry hen in the coop telling the roosters to keep their distance' she laughed

'I've been here before ye know, ye need to be tough to face these women, football hooligans have nothing on them!'' Sumpta's face wore a determined expression as she elbowed her way through the crowds.

After half an hour's navigating through the sea of grasping, greedy women, Erin finally spied her prize, a pair of Manolo Blahnik's stiletto heeled pumps black with white daisies ..

'Oh they're perfect! My reception outfit will be the talk of the town with these and my chic black and white silk dress'

Sumpta looked at the heels in alarm and almost choked when she saw the price tag.520 euros!!!!! Erin, have you lost your mind !? 520 euros!! For shoes!

'Yes, when they're Blahnik's,' beamed Orla 50 percent off, a steal!

'50 percent! You mean to say these cost over one thousand euros!!?'

'Of course, they're designer, limited edition'

'Well they'll be very limited in my wardrobe at that price! Erin laughed again before asking her sister,

'What have ye got there sumpta?'
Sumpta held out one pair of nice navy blue leather court shoe with a low heel and another in beige

'She smiled, two pairs for 50 euros!'

'Oh they.. er look very comfortable Sumpta,' Erin tried to sound enthusiastic about the obviously plain, boring shoes.

'Yes indeed they are my girl you can keep your Blarneys give me comfort any day!'

'BLAHNIK,'  Erin giggled

'Well the price is blarney to me, how can shoe leather to cover your little feet cost twice as much as a washing machine! Humph! Mark my words girl you'll be crying before the night's out dancing around on those spindly heels.'

Erin grinned like a cat who'd got the cream and hugged the shoes to her chest.

'Well quality they are for sure and should last a very long time so, as well as being just so pretty!''

That evening when Michael arrived home for dinner, slightly flushed from an afternoon in the Kicking Donkey, the ladies were eager to show him their purchases. When he saw Erin's pumps his eyes lit up.

'Ah ye'll be a sight for sore eyes in those Erin,' he smiled

'More like a case for sore feet in those heels,' humphed Sumpta

Michael looked at his wife's new shoes and said kindly,

'Oh those are very nice too darlin'and two pairs! How clever you are to find such a bargain ..'

The big day finally arrived and the wedding was just beautiful, Erin looked like a girl again, so happy. Sumpta wiped away a tear, thinking of all the heartache her little sister had experienced at the hands of, 'that man,' Erin's ex in America.

The reception was in full swing, Erin dancing in the arms of her new husband and Michael and Sumpta enjoying a breather with a nice glass of champagne watching all the fun.

Erin breezed over to them and said in dismay,
'Come on you two, why aren't you dancing? Usually you are the first up and last down!'

'How are your feet Erin?' Michael enquired with a wry grin spreading across his face.

'Fine! It's like walking on air in these, well worth every penny!'

Sumpta looking sheepish tried to avoid the next question which was competing with Michael's stifled laughter.

'What about yours sis?' Erin asked quite innocently.

Sumpta looking ashamed slipped her feet out from under the table to reveal two bleeding heels, full of blisters!

'Mary. mother of God!' shouted Erin, 'you poor thing!'

'Well aren't you going to laugh too Erin', she asked giving Michael a stern look as he was now openly chuckling.

'Not at all! That's so painful, I've suffered many a time like that with shoes which is why I only buy quality nowadays, you see Sumpta, sometimes it's worth paying extra for real quality'

'Yes, for sure, you've taught your sister a very valuable lesson today my girl'

'Erin hugged her sister lovingly,

'Come on now, there's no law against dancing barefoot is there?'

Michael smiled apologetically at his wife,

'Come along my love, let's go cut a rug  and show them how it's done, eh?'
Sumpta smiled back.
 
'With pleasure Michael Duncannon, with pleasure!, I may not know quality shoes, but I know quality men', to be sure and kissing him on the cheek she took his hand as they sailed onto the dance floor.