22AA

Noni needed some bras. Her breasts had grown, making her life uncomfortable.

So we went to our local M&S where a very friendly assistant promptly measured her up and declared her a size 32C.

I was hugely impressed -- but not for long, because as it turned out, our local M&S did not have a single pair of teenage 32C bras in stock.

We were kindly advised to try our luck at the Kingston M&S, which must be the biggest bra shop in the whole wide world.

Everywhere you look, there are shelves loaded high with brass. And an impressive display of the stuff hanging from millions of hangers. This is surely the place, we said.

However, the teenage section was almost completely empty... and we were told that adult design bras would not fit her, so we should stay clear.

Well, me being a no-bra person -- except for my running -- I was pretty much puzzled by that instruction but I didn't dare to argue. I know nothing about bra sizing but I think a 32C should be a 32C, no matter your age.

Anyway, the teenage shelves had next to nothing in Kingston, so we needed help ... Another friendly staff was found and asked about the whereabouts of teenage bras. "Oh, didn't you hear?," came the answer, "we've had an unfortunate incident here". "???" "Well, there was a fire last week, and all our stocks were destroyed ...luckily it didn't spread to the adult bras."

A day later, accompanied by a recalcitrant Dan on his scooter tram , it was back to our local M&S.
I told the staff that we must buy some bras this time, so another helpful assistant measured Non up again, just to double check. And surprise, surprise, this time she was found to be a 30B ... and there was teenage 30Bs galore at the shop, so we bought four pairs and left in a state of considerable relief.

But not before Daniel also had himself measured. He was found to be a 22AA of which he proudly informed everyone on our way home. Complete strangers were stopped to listen to his boasting of "Do you know, I've just been measured up, and my bra size is 22AA."