But it was soon apparent that Ms Virtue was much more than an exotic dancer. She was also a contortionist of extraordinary skill. She lay down on her stomach facing the audience and raising her torso on her forearms, she swung her legs backwards over her head and folded her feet underneath her chin. In the same position, having untucked her feet, she used one to take a cigarette and place it between her lips, and the other to light it with a match, both handed to her by Ruby. The audience was transfixed. She then performed a series of manoeuvres so fluid and improbable that they seemed to defy the presence of any bones in her body whatsoever, save for her skull, and those in her hands and feet. Her final flourish was to fold herself completely and inexplicably into a small suitcase and close the lid. The silence that followed stretched almost to the point where the audience became fearful for her fate, but then she burst from the case with a triumphant smile and rearranged her limbs into a more conventional configuration in time to take her bow.

The next act could only be an anti-climax. It was a man tap dancing with biscuit tins on his feet.

The final performer of the evening was a young woman called Jeanie Rogers whom Ruby proudly introduced as her niece. Jeanie looked very young, but as she took the microphone from Ruby, her confidence was unmistakable. She looked completely at home in the spotlight on stage. As soon as she began to sing, the audience was stunned into absolute silence. The voice they heard was that of a world-weary jazz diva, but it came from the mouth of a teenage girl. The disparity was mesmerising. ‘I put a spell on you,’ Jeanie sang, and the audience was bewitched.

After the show, Imelda was keen to go home, but Shunty-Mae perversely insisted that they stay for one drink. It seemed that, despite her protestations, she was quite enjoying herself. At the bar, Imelda found herself standing next to Ruby and her niece.

‘Madame Burova! I’m so glad you made it.’

‘Imelda. Please call me Imelda. So am I. Your niece was the star of the show. You must be so proud of her. I have no need to read her cards to be sure that she will go very far indeed.’

Ruby was clearly delighted and gave the blushing Jeanie a hug.

‘Jeanie, this is Madame Burova – Imelda. I’m trying to persuade her to come and give readings to the guests at Larkins.’

Jeanie smiled bashfully as she disentangled herself from her aunt’s embrace.

‘How fascinating.’ An elegant young woman had appeared at Jeanie’s side and was coolly observing Imelda with her pale grey eyes. Imelda met her gaze and felt just the slightest prickle of apprehension.

‘Vivienne! You came! What did you think?’ Jeanie was clearly very anxious to hear her friend’s opinion.