I look out the window trying to assess the weather and what outfit to wear today. I go over to my suitcase and pull and pair of skinny jeans, a black and gold cashmere sweater and of course my Loubotins. I brush my teeth, wash my face apply a little blush and gloss, spray my hair with hairspray and check myself in the mirror. I am looking fine for day of shopping around Oxford Street. I grab my bag and head out the door. I wait in the cold busy street for Jessica; we agreed we would meet at my hotel then take a cab to the stores. After about ten minutes of waiting, I see Jessica walking to towards me. Her hair blonde is beautiful and flowing down her back. I must say she really is a pretty girl, with her little round face and pale white skin. She is wearing a pair of black jeans, a brown leather jacket with a red vest underneath and a pair of tired Converse tennis shoes. Not typically, the kind of outfit you would expect for a day shopping around Oxford Street. London’s most high end and luxury brand paradise. However, Jessica can really carry it off.
“Hey,” she says as she walks over.
“It’s freezing today.” I say wishing I had brought a jacket.
“Really, this I warm for a December day.”
“I would hate to see it on a cold day then.” I say and with a little giggle and we start for the taxi rank.
We arrive at Oxford Street and it is crowded and full of people. There are so many tourists. I look around, and to my horror, I do not see any stores I recognize, I look to Jessica and say.
“Jessica, where are all the stores?”
“Right here Alanna.” She says with smirk.
“But where’s Harrods and Chanel, Dior, those kind of stores?”
“I had no idea you were after the luxury brands, but Harrods is down the street, come on let’s go.”
We enter Harrods and I really am in a state of shock, for my entire life all I ever wanted was to be in this store. When I was twelve, Daisy and I my (best friend at the time), used to go to Macys every Saturday and we would stay there all day, pretending we were in London and that we were swanning around Harrods. Waiting for our prince charming to come and sweep us off our feet. After and few months of that behavior, the store manager began to get annoyed and every time she seen us come in, she would send out the security guard and we would be told not to enter the store. However, here in Harrods it seems so different. As I look over to my right, I see two little boys playing on the floor with small wooden trains. On the other side there is a little red haired girl sitting on the back of rocking horse. What really strikes me is the shop assistants really do not seem to mind at all. After a long day of shopping, I have bought excessively too much stuff, a new handbag for my mom, a little white gold bracelet for Penelope, a big huge bottle of my dad’s favorite cologne - quarter the price of back home. For Sophie a white Swarovski hair clasp, when I saw it I just knew it would look great against the deep dark richness of Sophie's hair. I really could not ask Jessica to take me shopping and not get her anything. Therefore, I got her a little bottle of Chanel no 5. We are now sitting in a little coffee shop just outside of Harrods sipping away at our lattes and cupcakes,
“I really can’t thank you enough Jessica.” I say.
“No problem it’s been fun?”
“Yes of course it has can’t you tell from the way I am smiling from ear to ear?”
“It is a bit of a giveaway! What kind of events do have while you’re here in town?” Jessica asks looking a little shifty.
“There is one other party I think my dad has to attend then unfortunately I have to go home to New York.”
“Party, what kind of party,”
“I think it has something to do with the TV networks over here, but if I said for sure I would only be lying.”
“I take it your dad is quite a powerful man then?”
“I guess you could say you that, but hey he’s just dad to me.”
“I would love to have your life.”
“What? No believe me you wouldn’t.”
“Yes I really would I could go to all the parties meet all the cool people dance all night and sip champagne, but for me as good as it gets is serving the champagne.”
“Jessica you have an amazing life here in London do you go to college?”
“That’s a bit of a long story.”
“We have plenty of time.” I say with a little smile.
Jessica fills me in about her family life and the fact they have some money issues. Jessica has to work two jobs to pay off her student loan, she lives in a small flat (as she calls it) on the eastside of town, but she is always around this area as it is easier to find work. She has two brothers who are both older so she is the baby of the family. Her mom and dad live a quiet life filled by staying in and watching the TV. She also told me that she is never been anywhere in her life, never left the UK, she does not even have a passport.