The Stockbridge salon owner tried to scuttle away when I walked in, but I made sure that she could not ignore me. She managed to squeeze out a chilly acknowledgement, then left me to one of her staff.

I had come in for a trim, but when a waitress led me to a table laid out for afternoon tea, I could tell that the nature of the business was no longer hairdressing.  Instead it was an upmarket café. This was going to cost me a fortune – and I wasn’t even ready for a cup of tea!

Then a bunch of colleagues joined me. After everyone else had scoffed themselves silly, I was left to pay the bill.