Thanks, no luck so far but will sit down and call around again tomorrow - have to go to DD's sports day first... Hoping a JL somewhere will have it as they post abroad and that would save me having to involve friends with buying and shipping. Am convincing myself ink is a much more versatile colour than the coming grape and plum. Hope I am right as a third alexa would not go down very well with DH...
John Lewis in Liverpool had one about a week ago. First Alexa I've seen IRL so can't really comment on the leather. Only thing that made an impression was it seemed quite smooth compared to the Butter one they had which was very grainy and creased.
sorry i just got really lucky this morning. i would check every day though because they had over 20 a couple of weeks ago and some may be returns (that's how i got mine). i'll keep looking for you though.