Peirene “is a class act”. Yes, it says so. In the papers, The Guardian actually. On Saturday. Review page 14, Paperback choice of the week – in case you missed it! However, being called a “class act” carries risk. A single indiscretion or unprofessional pronouncement and the reputation comes tumbling down.

But first let me ask you a question: What do you get when you put together the following four ambitious women: a serious French writer, a gifted Irish actress, an articulate English translator and an enthusiastic German publisher? Choose from the answers below:

 a.) a public cat fight due to professional and personal envy and jealousy

 b.) an outwardly composed picture but marred with dangerous undercurrent of competitiveness and individual over-control drive

 c.) a class act difficult to beat

One could imagine any one of these three outcomes, right? Well, perhaps not a.) as for that the four women in question might just be too clever. But b.) is a contender. I guess we could agree on that. Especially, if  for each one there is a lot at stake. The author is translated for the first time in English. The actress reads for the first time a text she is hoping to stage later on. The translator has never chaired such an event before and the publisher is putting on her first ever launch party.

A  lot of “first times”, rich fertile ground for blame and angst. They have a show to perform, the guests will arrive at 7.30. At six o’clock they meet. Outside it might as well be thunder and lightening. They gather in the kitchen. They brew the tea and eat the chocolate. They compare notes, hair and heel, draw the demarcation lines. They trade some compliments but also clear the air. And when the guests arrive they have the witchcraft working.

P.S. In fact the guests were so bewitched, they ate everything this time – including my potato salad – the lot of it! I am now thinking of challenging them with some new stuff at the next Salon, perhaps Germanic Nudelsalat.