“So do they work?"
"Well they are warm and red" Tom was puzzled by Kerry's question. He was sitting on his favourite armchair enjoying a scotch.
"I mean are they magical? Have you tried wearing anyone else's shoes yet?"
"Well no. I don't think they actually work"
"Take your shoes off and let's give them a try" Kerry suggested with a giggle. She had enjoyed a few drinks as well. Michael had been the driver. "I'll help you" She bent down at Tom's feet and began undoing his laces. Soon she had his shoes off. "They just look like normal socks" she exclaimed when she saw them. "Are you sure these are the magical ones?"
"They are the socks Kate gave me this morning"
"Well lets try these on" Kate held up the wedged sandals she had been wearing.
"I don’t think they will fit” an inebriated Tom replied. However he held up his foot to Kerry, inviting her to try.
Kerry placed the shoe over his foot. Miraculously he was able to squeeze his foot inside. “How the?”
“I didn’t know you had such small feet”
“I don’t have small feet. You must have large feet or more likely I’ve had too much to drink”
Kerry giggled. Michael was the driver she had drunk her share of alcohol as well. “You put the other shoe on and I’ll do up the straps”
Tom did as he was told. Kerry said “Let’s see if you can walk in heels” She giggled once more and began working on the straps on the second sandal.
Kate had heard the giggling and came over to investigate what was happening. “What’s going on with you two?”
“Tom’s wearing my sandals. I want to see him walk in them”
Kate gave a strange look when she saw the black sandals with a 3 inch heel on her husband’s feet. Tom stood up. “Whoa these shoes make me taller” Tom at 5’7 was not particularly tall. Kate in her own 3 inch heels was looking down on him earlier. Now he had to look slightly down at her.
Kate noticed the red socks. “Are those the birthday socks?”
“Yep. Kerry wanted to see them”
“How do your feet fit into those sandals? You have such big feet”
“Dunno. But they do”
“Kerry, what size are your shoes?”
“Ladies size 8”
“Tom’s feet are men’s 10 and a ½ but the shoes fit him comfortably”
“I don’t think those feet are size 10 and ½” Kerry placed her foot alongside Tom’s. “They are no bigger than mine”
“Tom. You were taller than me just before. Now I’m looking at you in the eye once more” observed Kate. “You're shrinking. I think these socks are actually working”
Michael appeared “What’s all the fuss about?”
“Notice anything different about Tom?” asked Kate
“Nope” was Michael's initial answer.
“Notice his shoes”
“Whoa! Heels! Oh brother I knew you were a short-arse but If you going to wear platform shoes best to choose a men’s style”
“They’re my shoes” said Kerry. “It must be the socks”
“The magical birthday socks?” clarified Michael.
“Yep. Tom put them on and then put on Kerry’s shoes. They fit him and now I think he’s shrinking” said Kate
“Hang on. I don’t like this. I was short enough when I started. I don’t need to shrink” Tom bent down to take the shoes off. With a tearing sound his pants split. “Shit!”
“What was that? Did your pants just split?” asked Michael
“Yes” said an embarrassed Tom “They were brand new. First time I’ve worn them. Not great quality it seems”
Kate felt Tom’s waist “Tom, I don’t think it’s the pants that are a problem. You have a fat bum”
Tom’s hands immediately felt his backside. A look of alarm came over his face. He did have a fat bum. “Bloody hell! Get these shoes off me” He sat down on the couch and fumbled with the straps on the sandals. Eventually he got them off. He then immediately pulled off the red socks. Underneath he found dainty female feet with red nail polish on the toes. Feet identical to those owned by Kerry.
“The socks!” everyone said in unison.