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This was Trish’s idea As are the angels hanging fro

“How are we doing?” Trish co flustered “Have you made the mousses yet?”

“Not yet,” I say, briskly squeezing an orange “Mrs Geiger, don’t worry It’s all under control”

“Do you knohat I’ve been through, the last few days?” She clutches her head “More andplan …”

“It’ll be fine,” I say soothingly “Try to relax”

“Yes” She sighs, holding her head between two lacquered fingernails “You’re right I’ll just go and check the goody bags …”

I cannot believe howon this lunch Every ti roouest an orchid buttonhole, she shrills, “It’s all in a good cause!”

Which re to ask her for quite a while now

“Er … Mrs Geiger,” I say casually “Are you charging your guests for entrance to the lunch?”

“Oh, no!” she says “I think that’s rather tacky, don’t you?”

“Are you holding a raffle?”

“I don’t think so” She wrinkles her nose “People loathe raffles”

I hardly dare ask this next question

“So … u money for Save The Children?”

There’s silence in the kitchen Trish has frozen, her eyes wide

“Bugger,” she says at last

I knew it She hadn’t given it a thought Soe to keep my respectful housekeeper’s expression

“Perhaps we could ask for voluntary donations?” I suggest “We could hand round a little bag with the coffee and mints?”

“Yes Yes” Trish peers at enius “That’s the answer” She exhales sharply “This is really very stressful, Samantha I don’t kno you stay so calm”