Daniel Tries to Return a Jacket

Daniel didn't buy new clothes very often. Most of his clothes were old, comfortable, and grey.

But next weekend, his friend Max had invited him on a two-day walk in the hills, and the weather report said rain. Daniel's only jacket was ten years old and not really waterproof anymore.

So on Saturday, he went to a big outdoor shop in the city centre. There were hundreds of jackets in every colour.

Daniel found a dark green one on sale, half price. He held it up, looked at the size on the label and decided it was fine. He didn't try it on. The shop was busy, the line for the changing rooms was long, and he wanted to go home.

At home, he put it on in front of the mirror.

The body was fine. But the sleeves stopped in the middle of his arms, and when he lifted his hands, the whole jacket moved up and showed his stomach.

"Okay," Daniel said. "That's not going to work."

Biscuit, who was sitting on the bed, did not say anything. But she looked very interested in the paper shopping bag.

On Monday, Daniel decided to take the jacket back. He put it in the bag and looked for the receipt. It wasn't in the bag.

It wasn't in his wallet. It wasn't on the table. After ten minutes, he found it under the sofa, in three small pieces, next to a very happy cat.

"Really?" he said to Biscuit.

Biscuit closed her eyes.

He put the pieces in his pocket anyway and went to the shop.

At the customer service desk, a young woman with short hair and a friendly smile was folding T-shirts.

"Hi, I'm Kim. How can I help you?"

"Hi," Daniel said. "I'd like to return this jacket, please. I bought it on Saturday, but it doesn't fit. The sleeves are too short."

"No problem. Do you have the receipt?"

Daniel took the three pieces out of his pocket and put them on the desk. "This is the receipt. My cat had a different opinion about it."

Kim laughed. "That's a first. Don't worry. Did you pay by card?"

"Yes, I did."

"Then I can find it in the system. Can I see the card you used?"

Daniel gave her his card. She typed for a moment and nodded.

"Here it is. One green jacket, Saturday afternoon, on sale. Is there anything wrong with it, or is it just the size?"

"Just the size. I didn't try it on. I was in a hurry."

"That happens a lot," Kim said. "Would you like a refund, or would you like to exchange it for a bigger size?"

"I'd like to exchange it, if possible. Do you have it in a larger size?"

Kim checked on her computer. Then she made a small face.

"I'm sorry. We don't have the green one in a larger size anymore. It sold out very quickly because of the sale. But we have the same jacket in a larger size in orange."

"Orange?" Daniel said.

"Bright orange," Kim said. "Would you like to try it on? This time, maybe in the changing room?"

Daniel smiled. "Yes, I think that's a good idea."

The changing room was quiet on a Monday morning. Daniel put on the orange jacket and looked in the mirror.

The sleeves were the right length. He could lift his arms, and the jacket stayed in place. It was warm, light and much better than his old one.

It was also very, very orange.

He came out and showed Kim.

"It fits perfectly," she said. "And if you're walking in the hills, orange is a great colour. People can see you from far away."

"That's true," Daniel said. "Is the price the same?"

"Yes. Because you bought the green one on sale, I can give you the orange one for the same price. No extra cost."

"Then I'll take it. Thank you for your help."

"You're welcome. And next time," Kim said with a smile, "keep the receipt away from your cat."

On Saturday, Daniel met Max at the train station. It was raining a little. Max looked at the jacket and laughed.

"Wow. I'll never lose you in the hills."

They walked all weekend in the rain. Daniel stayed warm and dry, and he had to admit that he liked the jacket.

When he came home on Sunday evening, Biscuit was sleeping in the empty shopping bag. Daniel put his orange jacket on the chair next to her.

"Don't even think about it," he said.