Rather fortunately, Phryne had sipped neither tea nor champagne before Alcuin spoke. She almost certainly would have choked on a stifled laugh.

Useful, indeed. She raised an eyebrow at him, smiling somewhat slyly.

"I'm quite willing to take credit for anything that makes you smile like that. But I do recall it was you who said you wanted to be useful." The slightest emphasis on 'useful' offered a double entendre she felt certain Alcuin would pick up.

"In any event, I've just remembered I'm meant to meet Jack in the cafe in a few minutes and I must freshen up." Of course, she had no such meeting, but neither would gainsay her as it concerned Jack. "Alcuin, Ignis, darlings, please excuse me and the interruption. Shall we say tomorrow, around the same time?"