I came out of the hotel and stood on the steps, wondering what to do next. Certainly not go back to the house of horror. I decided to take a look at the town and turned inland past the grounds of an elegant villa until I came to an area of commerce. Shops were just opening up their shutters and shopkeepers were putting out their wares. They called across to each other, good-natured insults and salutations in the strong southern dialect. I reached a little cobbled square, lined with more outdoor cafés, and suddenly there, drinking coffee, were my two new acquaintances from the train. I went over to them, delighted to see friendly faces.

“How good to see you,” I said. “I thought you were staying at a villa.”

“Oh, we are,” Vera replied. “But Coco has to meet a man from Grasse to discuss her new perfume, so we had the chauffeur drive us into town. But I’m surprised you’re so pleased to see us. We thought we’d been given the cold shoulder, didn’t we, Coco?”

“We were mortified. We did not know what we had done to offend you,” Coco Chanel agreed.

“What do you mean?”

“We spotted you yesterday evening, going into the casino. We called out to you but you passed us without saying a word.”

“The casino? I wasn’t at the casino. I was at the villa all evening.”

“Strange.” Vera looked at Coco. “I could have sworn it was you.”

“Absolutely. You must have a twin.”

“How fascinating,” I said. “I wish I had been at the casino. I spent a dreadfully dull evening with my family.”

“You must come and dine with us sometime,” Vera said. “Our hostess has an excellent chef.”

“What do you mean, dine?” Chanel demanded. “You must come to the villa this afternoon so that I can fit you for the clothes you will wear when you model for me at the unveiling of my collection.” She held up a warning hand as I was about to speak. “Do not say no. I will not hear of it. I absolutely insist. You are the look that I want—the true British aristocrat, isn’t she, Vera?”

“Oh, rather,” Vera agreed.

I felt my face going red. “No, really, you don’t want me. I’ll do something terrible and embarrass you, I know I will.”

“Nonsense.” Coco laughed. “As Vera will tell you, it is quite impossible to embarrass me. I have survived all kinds of scandal in my life. I have developed a very thick skin. So come to the villa. Try on the clothes. You will see that what I ask you to do is not so terrible. Shall we say three o’clock?”

It certainly was tempting. I might be invited to stay for dinner and have something decent to eat. And I’d be away from my relatives.

“All right,” I said. “I will come.”