Haut would dine there some nights and North would make sure that his cubicle had blinds drawn just in case a hitman or squad could see into the club and carry out a mission.

Every late afternoon Haut would have a coffee liqueur with North at the bar, accompanied sometimes by North’s girlfriend, Hannah, a former Miss Israel. They were served by a chubby French–Mauritian, Florence. Haut flirted with her. North turned to her one afternoon and said, ‘You can sleep wiv ’im if you want; that’s if you can put up wiv ’im quoting bible verses.’

They all laughed. Haut’s access to a mine of quotes from the Old and New Testaments made an impression on all he met.

When Florence was out of earshot, North said to Haut, ‘I know you like ’er but I have somefink coming up dat’ll provide opportunities beyond your dreams, mate. You see, I own a modelling agency. Every year I hold a ball.’ He winked at Haut. ‘Best women in da world compete in a beauty contest.’

One evening North invited Catherine the Great to have drinks with him and Haut.

‘I don’t believe it!’ Haut said to North. ‘I know her! Well, not actually. But I’ve seen her in Hamburg! What’s she doing here?’

‘On a working vacation, she told me when she asked for a job. She wants to improve her English, which is very good anyway.’

When they were introduced, they sat drinking in a cubicle with North. Catherine claimed she could not recall Haut. After several drinks, North suggested she ‘look after udder guests’. Haut stood to shake hands with her. She was very tall, lean of limb, flirtatious of manner and ready to laugh.

When North moved away from the table to greet other patrons at the bar, Catherine returned to the cubicle.

‘Has anyone ever told you—’ Haut began.

‘That I am Marilyn Monroe’s double?’ Catherine interrupted.

‘I was going to say “double Marilyn Monroe”.’

Catherine laughed and touched his arm.

‘Never heard that before?’ Haut asked with a boyish grin.

‘Oh, yes, by just about every Westerner over forty years of age!’

‘Well, you know it’s not a pick-up line then.’ Haut smiled. ‘But this is. Would you like to have dinner with me?’

Catherine bent her tall frame down and kissed Haut on the cheek, leaving an imprint of red lipstick.

‘I thought you’d never ask,’ she said, causing them both to laugh.