charlie & clive

i got a new bike. that's three, now, if you've been counting. he (clive) is so lovely. sleak and fast and efficient.

i went into the shop where i bought bike number 2 to see if i could get a refund or exchange it. it was unsuitable. we can leave it at that.

anyhoo, i pulled out all the stops, i'm telling you. i surprised (and admittedly embarassed) myself with the extent to which i could bat my eyelids and smile sweetly to get what i wanted. i've never done that before but dammit you realise why some women do! the owner of the shop (charlie) gave me the full value of the bike i had toward a new one (even though i had had it and been riding it for over 3 weeks - unsuitable though it was)spent an hour and a half with me getting me to test ride bikes, gave me 10% off the new bike's cost, gave me clips for my pedals and lube for the chain for free and invited me back in a month for a check-up.

thinkin about asking him for his phone number........