Occasionally, as the evening progressed and the conversation returned almost by default to the subject of Benny Goodman’s career, or at some point paused to take in the scale of the great musician’s opinion, Asquith looked over and patted Lucky on the shoulder, emphasising how much he enjoyed his company. Other music enthusiasts, mostly men, now found the courage to approach Benny Goodman and they timidly stood over the table, making small talk and giving Lucky a look of near-sexual love, until Asquith read discomfort on Lucky’s face and politely dispatched them, saying Mr Goodman was fatigued.

Gregor had started to complain about the war department’s plans for demobilisation—he didn’t understand why the US Army wanted to start discharging GIs before Germany had surrendered: they’d all signed up for the same deal, duration plus six, and the air force and navy were still drafting—when Lucky and Asquith were distracted by Valia Asproyerakas, who sat by herself at a high table, under a tangerine glow. Her long hair, a perfection of black, came down and twisted around the strap of a blue beaded bag. She perched her chin on her hand, and gave out the confidence of a woman in a portrait painting; she appeared amused by the theatre of the room, crowded with strangers.

A tall Australian man, a person who seemed composed of larger and cruder molecules than Lucky, approached and spoke to her until he got the message. Asquith kept an eye on this exchange, waiting for its conclusion.

‘Excuse me,’ said Asquith, calling out to Valia. ‘Would you like to meet Benny Goodman? He’s entirely pleasant, more than one might suppose.’

‘I would like to meet him,’ said Valia.

‘I shouldn’t presume too much,’ said Asquith, ‘but you’re Greek, aren’t you?’

‘Yes, up to a point.’

‘May I ask your surname?’

‘It’s Asproyerakas.’

‘Then you must be Kefalonian.’

‘No, Ithakan.’

‘Is English your first language?’ Asquith asked.

Valia nodded, not impressed with the question.

‘Perhaps you would like to attend this gathering I hold once a month at a hall in Elizabeth Bay. We read ancient Greek. Next is the play Choephori. After that Eumenides. It would be a novelty to have someone with Greek heritage present. You might find you have a good time.’

‘I don’t know those plays. And I don’t know you?’

‘My name is Ian Asquith. Incredibly pleased to meet you. I’m second secretary at the British High Commission.’

Valia asked: ‘What’s the difference between the first and the second secretary?’

‘That will take a great deal of explaining.’

‘Then forget I asked the question.’

Asquith laughed. ‘I like your bottle.’

‘Would you mind sitting with us?’ asked Lucky.