The four teenaged children trooped off in the direction of the facilities.

‘I know you,’ said the wife, staring at Phoo Markham, sitting at the adjacent table. ‘You’re on the telly, aren’t you? Isn’t she, Danny? She’s famous. She’s on the telly.’

‘How lovely to be recognised so far away from home.’ Phoo gave a sickly-sweet smile of acknowledgement. ‘And might I say, what a charming family you have, my dear.’

Sally watched while the woman continued to simper and coo over Phoo, then turned on her heels and disappeared into the kitchen to take a few deep breaths.

‘What are you doing in here?’

‘Taking a mini-break. What does it look like?’

‘Fine. So you won’t mind if I go in and introduce myself to La Belle Tropézienne.’ Benjamin took off his apron and waltzed past Sally, heading into the dining room.

After a moment or two gathering herself, Sally moved after him.

By the time Sally reappeared, the shell-suit family were all seated back in place, holding up menus which hid their faces.

Another group of six stood waiting at the door, near the desk.

The man held up six fingers.

‘I’m so sorry,’ said Sally. ‘But tonight, as you see, we’re full.’

The group grimaced a look of disappointed resignation and left.

Wishing that the latter party of six had arrived a few minutes earlier, Sally took the order pad and walked across to the English family.

‘A few more minutes.’ Danny lowered his menu. ‘We’re still deciding. You know kids. Could we have that jug of water, please. Just tap will do. Adam’s Ale. None of that fancy stuff you charge a fortune for.’

As Sally turned, Phoo threw her a look of sympathetic pity and stage-whispered, ‘Poor Salz! What a busy night.’ She grabbed Sally’s hand. ‘We’ve been laughing with your friend Benjamin about how funny you were in those dark, distant days when you thought you wanted a career in acting.’

Phoo gave a throaty laugh.

As Sally walked away, she noticed that Benjamin was now grovelling on one knee before Eggy and Odile as though they were the King and Queen of Fairyland on the verge of granting him three wishes.

In the kitchen once more, as she stood at the sink, filling the jug, Sally let out a growl, which caused William to fall into a fit of giggles.

Sally then smoothed down her apron, and returned to the shell-suit table where she poured out six glasses of water.

‘Two more minutes, please,’ said Danny. ‘Such a lot of choice!’

Another table hailed Sally over to the far side of the room for their bill. Simultaneously Odile jangled her bracelets and demanded three coffees, express. She suggested that they should come with petits fours.