‘Maybe she’s a spy...‘ offered someone.

‘Well not a very good one if we’re all talking about her...’ said Johnny and everyone laughed.

‘She’s landed here with quite a reputation I gather. She went to a party at Field House and met three old boyfriends. Apparently she kissed them all in order!’

‘How good of her to remember what order they came in.’

‘Oh, what is her name?’

‘It escapes me. Anyway how can you label a bottle of cheap alcohol? It will taste bad, label or not.’

‘Poor girl,’ said Johnny, watching Susan closely, who had her soft grey eyes on Mrs Lewis’s white dining cloth. ‘She does seem to promote a very strong reaction.’

‘Well have you heard of this girl Johnny?’

‘As a matter of fact I’ve just placed her. In a certain club she got the title shame-shame aunty from the Indians - I gather because of the way she dances.’

‘Tch! I bet you it’s not just her jitterbug,’ said Mrs Lewis.

‘Mrs Lewis, we shouldn’t be quick to judge. I’ve heard you’re quite a one for the tango.’

‘Ah, now, don’t start charming me. I heard she’s in the fashion industry. Is that true?’

‘Ah, very shame-shame all round, that business.’ said her friend.

‘Well is she a model, Johnny?’

‘No, a designer. And quite a good one I’ve heard.’

‘And very beautiful,’ someone chimed.

‘And young.’

‘And the daughter of a duchess, that’s quite a cocktail.’

Johnny said, ‘I believe they did name a cocktail after her in Bombay, at the Boom-Boom club: blue curacao, gin and vodka. Served in a thin glass with crushed ice.