January 17

THE Lady of the House has a teacher friend, Yvonne, who, when working at an exclusive nursery school, one day asked young Caroline which member of her family would be collecting her at "going-home time". "Oh! It's the repair-girl who's coming today," came the reply. Out of the mouths of babes! For with her parents both too busy for that particular school-run, the au pair would certainly be the one to listen, sympathise and even mop up a tear or two. Come to think of it, I suppose we could all be "repair-girl" to any friend in need...