Harry Potter and the Red-faced Dad

We're all Harry Potter fans in our house. Well, Karen and the children like it more than I do. I used to be into it all when we first discovered him, and when the film series started, but now I feel a bit jaded by the HP "machine", and am looking forward to the new movie and the new book with growing indiference.


However, I'm also a Dad and a bit of problem solver, so while I'm not going to lose any sleep over how long I have to wait for my copy of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, I still want to do the right thing by the rest of the family and ensure we get hold of it as soon after the launch as we can. But how soon? Remember we're in Saudi Arabia, the strictest Islamic country in the world, so we're not likely to see it on the bookshelves here anytime soon. In fact there is only one retail chain in Riyadh that sells English books (Jarir Bookstore), and their selection isn't usually that great.



So, Superdad to the rescue! I know, I'll pre-order a copy on Amazon.co.uk. We only get one postal delivery a week from the UK so it will take at least a week after launch before we get our hands on it, but that's the best we can do here isn't it? Wait, I can go one better. Let's order TWO copies, then we can all get it read that much quicker.

Early last week I received an email from Amazon.co.uk telling me that they were "preparing your order for dispatch". How exciting! On Saturday morning (Launch Day) I told Elliot and Abigail that our two copies would soon be on their way, and felt quite good about myself for about three hours, until Abigail's friend Ellie arrived in the afternoon for a sleepover. She walked in with a large book under her arm.
"What's that you've got there Ellie?" I ask
"Oh, it's the new Harry Potter." she says casually. "I got it from Jarir this morning."

AAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!