(Chapter 5) A Shopaholic

"Father, how about going back to school?" Astrid asked, making Mr. Tuhs freeze in drinking his tea.

He looked at Astrid, upon seeing her pale and thin frame... He had reservations against it. But when he thought about it...

It had been 2 months since Astrid had started to walk again. The school year started in September. And it was only a month until then...

Mr. Tuhs was in a dillema. He wanted his daughter to be healthy. Going to school was always good, and since she was asking him herself...

"Let me ask your mother what she thinks. I don't see any problems as long as someone makes sure of your safety." But, being the family he was. His wife was also going to provide her opinion.

Astrid nodded, she worked out that she was 14 in this body. She might not be able to continue in the same year. But she wasn't the same Astrid, her real age was much more than 14 years old...

Just on time, Mrs. Tuhs walked into the living room. As Mr. Tuhs immediately made her a drink, he asked her the same thing.

Mrs. Tuhs quickly wiped her eyes. "That should be fine baby. But I think Winoa should come with you." She said sternly.

She wasn't worried that her daughter would be physically affected by anyone, but by having someone her own age and who is trustworthy by her side. It would be the best for her daughter.

Astrid nodded. "Okay." And it was settled like that, Astrid would be going to school...

Astrid had gone through as many books as she could within the period she had been in the world. She learned as much history as she could. Along with geography. She made sure maths was similar as in her previous world then stopped with that. So she shouldn't stick out if she was at school.

"How is that book baby? I heard that you had been reading recently?" Mr. Tuhs decided to ask, as he focused on the book on the table.

"It's good, I read most of the books in the library." Astrid responded, after finishing reading up some important knowledge, she moved on to literature.

Truthfully, Astrid wasn't a fan of literature. Stories weren't real and were fake. The situations in them were unrealistic and stupid... But she needed some more context in the world.

Mystery novels were extremely popular in this world. Along with fairy tales and child books. While books including military, science, horror. Weren't very good compared to the other world.

Mr. Tuhs's eyes gleamed. "Mm, should I buy a library next?" He mumbled, clearly noticing his daughter's interest in something.

Mrs. Tuhs just shook her head. "New flowers will be planted soon outside." She notified Astrid.

Astrid nodded. She might not be interested in literature, but she respected and enjoyed nature. Living in such a polluted world before, seeing such a beautiful garden was nice...

"Ah, if you're going to go to school then..." Mrs. Tuhs then smiled coyly while looking over Astrid.

Mr. Tuhs shivered, he recognized that look, the tone of voice, and the look in his wife's eyes...

Astrid looked on in confusion. "It isn't acceptable for our daughter to not look the best! Come, old man, we are going shopping!" Mrs. Tuhs exploded with excitement, as Mr. Tuhs felt his soul wither away.

'Not look the best? Shopping? Is there something wrong with my clothes?' Astrid didn't understand, her clothes were all comfortable. All of her clothing were nice and bought by her mother for her to wear...

Mr. Tuhs looked visibly sick. "I... I have a meeting." He feebly mumbled, as he felt a powerful force on his leg.

"Oh? I didn't know this, will you not be coming back tonight?" Mrs. Tuhs spoke with such a benevolent voice. But Mr. Tuhs just felt fear.

'Damn. Alright, alright. I guess I will live for today...'

Mr. Tuhs gave way. As Mrs. Tuhs ran up to get properly dressed, with Astrid just sitting for a while stunned. She picked her book up and continued to read.

.......

Now Astrid was stuck in an amazing situation, she was left with little clothing, as her mother came in and out of a changing room with different clothing.

Tops, sleeved tops, jumpers, jackets, shorts, jeans, cropped, ripped jeans, even tracksuits. Every single piece of common clothing in the store was put on her.

Then came shoes, some more formal and higher class. Some trainers, some running shoes, even sandals were put on her feet.

Just when Mr. Tuhs thought he could go home. Next were accessories. Hats, sunglasses, necklaces, bracelets. Anything the shop had, was put on her...

But what could the shop do? The two customers were the highest of VIP's had shares in the store. And were basically buying the whole shop... They weren't even known for accessories, yet they were all bought.

Mr. Tuhs even started to look at the changing room with sympathy, he very much knew the inner desires of his wife. One was shopping with her daughter... Yet she couldn't for so long, now she could let loose.

After Astrid and Mrs. Tuhs came out wearing what they were before. The many customers and staff who had flocked the changing rooms were stunned.

'Why does that older woman look so familiar? And why is the little girl next to her so... Frail, ill? She looked like she barely hit early teenage years at a stretch.

"I'll take everything placed on the right. Just pack it up and send it over to this address." Mrs. Tuhs spoke as she handed the manager a piece of paper.

The crowd gasped. 'Wait! The right side...' Having looked over the pile of clothing placed on the right-hand side, with only a few pieces on clothing on the left... They gulped.

Mr. Tuhs sighed, he made money for his family. So he was expecting something around this time...

Mr. Tuhs immediately got a call from Stephan. After despondently saying he was with his wife shopping, the call abruptly ended.

Yep, Mrs. Tuhs is an extreme shopaholic. She would go through entire stores until she found what she wanted. She was in a great mood seeing how much she had bought.

'Good. My daughter can only wear the best!' With sparkling eyes, she grabbed Astrid's and her husband's hands and walked out.

Meanwhile, the crowd of customers and managers were left stunned. 'Did... Did she just buy out more than half the store? Were other stores going to experience this woman letter?'

Astrid barely felt any pressure on her hand with her mother holding her. She now could understand why her father didn't want to come.

Mr. Tuhs went into the driver seat with Mrs. Tuhs in the passenger seat. Astrid was placed in the back with a pillow on her seat and on her side.

"Alright, next up is here. I saw there new dresses were released, it would be good to get some." Mrs. Tuhs put in some coordinates into the SATNAV.

Mr. Tuhs felt his soul disintegrate. "Was that not enough?" He asked, highly regretting asking his wife if Astrid should go to school or not.

Mrs. Tuhs frowned. "Not enough!? Of course not! We didn't even get any dresses yet. We still need more jewelry too. Maybe some boots as well..."

Mr. Tuhs gave up then. While Astrid seemed to understand something inwardly...