Jennifer reminisces

when I saw the job advertised, a live-in cook needed for a large central London flat used by visiting dignitaries, I thought it sounded perfect. The visits were occasional, so most of the time I had the place to myself. It was huge, with cupboards full of Wedgewood china and the most ghastly furniture you’ve ever seen. It was perfect for parties.

They were always late for dinner, so meat stews that could sit and wait without spoiling were often on the menu. One day I thought I’d make a goulash and instead of dipping the meat in paprika, I mistakenly used cayenne instead, knowing they loved hot, spicy food. It was rather too hot–they nearly died.