The room was empty.

I forced my slumping shoulders back, my chin up -

- And saw the shoe box with the fat yellow bow sitting on the lumpy sofa. I flung the lid off.

Ro had bought me custom-made, red leather tap shoes. There was purple leather at the toes and heels, like saddle shoes, and a red leather heart at the back of each shoe. Purple laces completed the look.

I clutched the heavy shoes to my chest and kissed the leather hearts, basking in how ...