‘And you’re sure there’ll be someone to serve for you?’ she said, reluctant to leave even though she was tired.

‘Yes, yes. Bob’s secretary organised that when she set up the dinner party. She booked the chef too. I must tell her they didn’t turn up.’

‘You should!’ said Alexandra, who had started to resent the non-appearance of a trained professional quite early on.

‘But at least now I can give you this.’ Donna put an envelope full of French francs into Alexandra’s hand. ‘Don’t argue. Just get in a cab and go back to your lodgings. But promise you’ll come back in the morning to hear how it went.’

‘I promise,’ said Alexandra, suspecting she might be called upon to help clear up as well, in spite of the hired waitress.

‘I don’t know what I’d have done without you, Alexandra!’ Donna said. You’ve been so brilliant.’

‘I’ve really enjoyed myself! I just wish …’

‘What?’

‘That I could spend more than just a few days in Paris.’

‘Oh, I’d love that!’ said Donna. ‘We could explore it together and I’d learn not to be terrified of the waiters.’

Alexandra laughed and then sighed. ‘What I need is a proper reason to stay, like a job. If I was working for grand people my relations would probably approve. I’d be improving my French with people with the right accent.’

‘What qualifications do you have? Shorthand, typing?’ asked Donna.

Alexandra shrugged and sighed again. ‘I have no qualifications. I’m fit for nothing.’

‘That’s certainly not true! Look what you’ve done for me!’

‘I loved doing it.’ Then she and Donna shared a long hug before Alexandra got into the tiny, creaking lift.

When Alexandra presented herself at the elegant apartment at eleven o’clock the following morning, she found Donna in a state of excitement.

‘It was amazing!’ she said to Alexandra, without waiting for an exchange of how-are-yous. ‘I am so grateful to you I cannot tell you!’ Donna took Alexandra by the arm and led her into the salon. The long windows were open and there was a little table set on the balcony. ‘Sit down. I’m going to bring you coffee and dessert and then I’ll tell you some wonderful news.’

Alexandra was very happy to sit and watch Paris go by below her in the sunshine. Donna appeared with coffee and a plate of profiteroles and cream, Gâteau Saint-Honoré in its component parts.

‘I met the most gorgeous man!’ said Donna. ‘Don’t worry, not like that. I’m married to Bob and nothing will ever change that. But this man has a job for you! What about that? He also had a gorgeous woman with him, but that’s not the point. Can you imagine? When I told him about you, he was so interested, especially when I mentioned your family house in Belgravia.’