Pointy shoes

Tom needed new school shoes at the weekend. He's had exactly the same style of school shoes since he was five; soft black leather, Velcro fastening - nothing to slow him down or trip him up. This weekend however, he wanted 'pointy shoes' and no other. Thank goodness the first and only shop we tried had exactly the right size and pointyness that he was after.

They're really pointy aren't they mum?
Really pointy.
They're the pointyest shoes I've ever had.

I didn't think any more about it until this morning when Jamie was putting on his (slightly pointy ish) shoes, with a shoehorn, as he always does.

I need one of those things don't I, Dad?

I threw him a shoehorn, and he sat beside his dad to put his shoes on, like his dad.

Suddenly it made sense.