Just then, Keira’s attention was caught by a couple sitting outside in the sun handcrafting sandals. She looked at Cristiano curiously.

“What’s happening there?” she asked. “They make the sandals onsite?”

“Yes,” he confirmed. “Bespoke. They are fabulous. Extraordinary quality. One pair will last you a lifetime.”

He took her over to the store and Keira was greeted by the man and woman outside.

“Are you here to purchase or watch?” the man asked.

Keira couldn’t help but be tempted by the beautiful, unique designs. But the $400 price tag was somewhat out of her price range.

“I’m just fascinated by the process,” Keira said. “Do you mind me watching?”

“Not at all,” the man replied.

He sat back down in the sun and continued his work. The talent that went into the sandals was astounding. Keira had never seen someone so deft with their hands, so skilled at taking an ordinary piece of leather and turning it into an incredible design.

She glanced again at the display shelves and all the different and bespoke designs. Just then, she received a message from Bryn about the picture of the designer stores.

GET ME SOMETHING. ANYTHING. EVERYTHING.

Keira laughed. Bryn would probably blow a blood vessel if she came back from Capri empty-handed. But she didn’t have that kind of money to throw about. Unless…

She quickly texted back, thankful that she remembered her account was linked to her app on her phone, and she was no longer without money.

Put some money in my account. I can pay you back once Zach gives me my share of the deposit.

She realized she was being reckless with her money, that if she spent in advance what Zach owed her (and was holding as ransom) she would have less to spend on her apartment. And if everything fell apart at Viatorum she might soon find herself out of a job altogether. But life was about embracing the crazy, she reminded herself. On her deathbed would she really be glad she’d been sensible when she could have thrown caution to the wind? Nope, she’d be glad she’d bought herself some hand-crafted bespoke Italian sandals!

“I’ve changed my mind,” she told the man. “I’d like to buy some sandals.”

Cristiano seemed thrilled. Keira wondered what he thought of her dress sense. In comparison to him she looked very dowdy, and not at all glamorous. At least with some authentic Capri sandals she’d fit in more with the Vogue models (Cristiano himself included) who wandered about the place.

Because Keira knew she and Bryn shared the same size and shape of foot, she knew that her own measurements could be used to make Bryn a pair as well. Her sister would be thrilled when she returned with the gift, Keira knew.

The man took measurements of Keira’s feet, then together they chose the color and type of leather and the style. If she’d wanted to, Keira could have spent all day designing her sandals, but she decided on one of the designs already on display, and the man got to work creating two pairs, one for her, and one for Bryn.