In the room there was a loud hissing of the kettle.

- Oh, yes! I was just fascinated by what you were doing.

- Did you go to any meeting when your heel broke?

Victria nodded, understanding why he was asking. She took off her coat. Under it was a short evening dress made of silk the color of red wine.

- At dinner and reception. I saw a passenger get out of the taxi and ran to catch it. My heel broke, I almost fell face down, and the taxi driver did not even notice me. Fortunately, a policeman was nearby, and he helped me up. He told me about you, ”she added,“ He said only that there is a shoe shop nearby, which may still be working.

- Need to wait a few more minutes? - Victoria looked at her wristwatch.

“Longer, miss,” Mr. Keane replied, “About three-quarters of an hour, if you want the work done well.”

- Oh shit! - exclaimed Victoria, - Then I am late for dinner! I came here because I thought it would be faster than returning home for another pair of shoes. Me and

Suddenly, Victoria stopped:

- If you can not quickly repair these shoes, then sell me some. Some decent high-heeled shoes, black. Can I pay by credit card? ...

Mr. Keane shook his head regretfully.

“Sorry, miss, but I can't help you.” We do not sell shoes.

Victoria has already reached into her purse for a credit card and her hand froze halfway:

- What are you talking about? This Meso is called “House of Shoes”, but you do not sell shoes.

“No, miss, we do not sell,” Mr. Keane said, getting up from his desk, “I ask you to go upstairs with me and then you will understand everything.”

Intrigued, Victoria followed him out of the room, back down the corridor and up the stairs in the hallway.

“Here, to the second floor, miss,” came Mr. Keen’s voice from above, “Here is our exhibition room.”

He flung open the door and stepped aside, passing it forward. Victoria entered the room and found herself in a room that was strikingly different from what she had seen before: a very large room, which probably occupied the entire second floor, with a high ceiling, without a single window, lit simultaneously with bright and at the same time soft white neon light, thick soft carpeting on the floor, in which her legs in stockings sank with each step, a large empty space in the center, surrounded on all four sides by rows of open shelving. And on these racks, on the floor, rising to the ceiling, stood rows of boots, boots, and again boots: at least a hundred different pairs of women's boots.

“I can sell you any of them,” came Mr. Keen’s voice from behind, “That’s what we’re doing here in the House of Shoes.” But no shoes.

Victoria was still looking around, shaken by the luxury of the setting and the wealth of choice. At first glance it was impossible to cover all the variety of models of boots. Each boot stood exactly in its place. The boots were of all heights: from boots reaching to the ankles, to ultra-high boots with a full leg length. Between the racks and the walls was a passage wide in a good yard, which gave access to inspect the boots from the front as well as behind. The walls were entirely covered with photographs. On many, only the boots were presented, over which the ankles, knees or hips of the models were visible, on the other, girls and women shod in boots were imprinted in full growth. Obviously, the pictures were collected for many years: the style of hairstyles, the cut of skirts and cosmetics represented all the fashion changes from the sixties to nineties.

“When I first started my own business, I wanted to call my store“ House of Boots, ”said Mr. Keane,“ But I chose House of Shoes, so as not to hurt the business. ” You see, I was not sure that I could live making only exclusive boots.

“It seems you could,” Victoria said enchantedly, “Sorry, it seems I was a little upset at the bottom.”

“It's all right, miss.” Why don't you see everything properly while you wait for your shoes. Please

He pushed aside the long curtain that hides behind him a deep alcove, which would rather be called a room. He entered there and carried out a metal stepladder. Having installed it, he climbed several steps until he was level with the upper shelf.

- I just wanted to offer you instead of drenching your shoes in such terrible weather, shod rubber boots from the rain. Put the shoes in the bag and change your shoes on the spot. Here are very feminine boots.

He was already descending the stairs, holding shiny black rubber boots in his hand. He set them on the floor next to the chair:

“Would you like to try it on, miss?”

Victoria looked at waterproof boots. Of course, their appearance did not go against her sense of style: each pair in this room was remarkably made and cost, probably expensive. And, as Mr. Keen said, this pair of boots was very feminine: a pointed toe, a graceful heel and ankle, sitting tight on the foot and reaching to the part of the ankle where it is widest. She sat on a chair, took her right boot and put her foot in the tops. The boot stroked out of the hands: its outer, rubber surface was slippery to the touch, but the lining inside was made of soft velvety material, which gave the foot an opportunity to easily get inside and took it into its cozy arms when the boot was shod to the end. It took a few moments longer than Victoria expected. When she put on her left boot, then, sitting with both legs shod in shiny boots, she felt unusually comfortable and calm, as during the most gentle, sensual massage.

- Yai, mom, - Victoria did not find words, - They are wonderful!

- Do not want to see how you look at them?

At a distance of several feet, next to a photograph of one of the model girls, there was a tall mirror. Victoria looked at him and saw her slim figure, long blond hair, dark eyebrows, gray eyes and a firm chin, a short but elegant dress, the only addition to which was a modest string of pearls around her neck, and at the end of it all - boots. Victoria was not conceited, but she knew that she had beautiful legs. Now her graceful ankles and feet worthy of kisses were covered with rubber boots, which with their grace emphasized the natural beauty of the legs. They were hidden under the tires, but it only attracted attention to them.

“I take them,” Victoria said curtly.

Mr Keane nodded in agreement.

“You made the right choice, Missy Missy?”

- Martins. Do you accept credit cards?

- Of course. But will you do me a favor: I would like to ask you to sign something for me? It does not take much time.

He again disappeared into the alcove. Victoria was curious about what he was doing there, invisible to her. The next moment, she got up and followed him. She moved confidently, but at the same time she was surprised to herself. It was not like her. She was impatient to find out what was behind the curtain, and she was going to find out. It seemed that her brain began to work in a new way, allowing Victoria to do everything exactly as she wanted. In addition, she was amazed at how comfortable it was to walk in these waterproof boots: the boots were stiff enough so that the foot could feel their weight and strength, feel protected, and at the same time it was easy and warm in them.

Mr Kin flinched slightly when he noticed for ...