change？including an oversize penny that was worth two cents； not just one； a funny
hexagon…shaped coin； and a bunch of thick； heavy coins that were worth a whole pound each。 If
the English used coins for the same thing Americans used bills for； clearly this was a place to find
great bargains。 Not that sheneeded to find bargains。
Blair was standing outside of what at first looked like just another West London brick mansion： a
tall； well…lit town house with big； clean windows and blooming flower boxes underneath them。 A
lifetime of shopping had given Blair a sixth sense； she justknew when something good was
lurking nearby。 Through the street…level windows she could see an ornate Chinese vase stuffed full
of white camellias on a pretty gilded table。 Blair couldn？t see any clothes but she was absolutely
convinced something incredible was inside。
After all； everyone has a special talent。
She rang the doorbell and the door buzzed back； so she pushed it open and stepped into the
marble foyer of the elegant house。 The open； airy parlor floor was filled with simple displays： an
incredible Kelly green crocodile bowling bag perched on top of a broken Corinthian column
bathed in the soft glow of a spotlight； a show…stopping pair of red velvet ballerina flats atop a satin
pillow。 They were so plush Blair couldn？t resist stroking them。 A tall Indian girl with long； thick
hair smiled at her from behind the antique art nouveau desk。 Blair felt a little self…conscious in her
Rock & Republic jeans； her gold silk Eberjey camisole and her skimpy sandals； but she wasn？t
about to walk out。
？I？m Lyla；？ the salesgirl chirped in a clipped English accent。 ？D