Mum has a new hairstyle and has been “made up” by one of the staff. She looked a million dollars today

Chat today ranged from reminiscing about the marriages (years ago) of two of her grandchildren and then into the three or more nights a weeks dad and she used to spend at the Colony Sports Club Casino in Berkeley Square back in the 1960’s. A good friend of theirs was a part owner with some rather dubious American backers with, it turns out, Mafia connections. The club was promoted by the American actor, George Raft and frequented by American movie stars and executives when they were in London. Mum particularly remembers the cast of The Dirty Dozen (filmed in MGM’s now defunct studio in Borehamwood) being frequent diners and players at the club. There was an excellent restaurant on the premises and a three piece band. I asked mum what time it closed, “when the last punter left” she laughed. She and dad stayed until 2 or 3 in the morning although she never gambled snd dad hardly ever played the tables, maybe wagering at most £10 in a night. They dined, they watched the gamblers play, they chatted with all and sundry and mum confessed that it was sometimes quite boring. I asked about the croupiers, “all men in black tie dress and”, she continued, “ dad found out, through an article he read a few years ago and some research on the computer, that many of the croupiers had been inside”. Interesting. It was the swinging sixties London and the Mafia, having been kicked out of Havana were looking for new homes for their casinos. They quickly lost their licences to run clubs in England – the judiciary were not well disposed to these American gangsters – but for mum snd dad it was fun while it lasted!