The delicious and intense affair was conducted in the rooms of Green's and Watson's Hotels over the course of the next year. The Lieutenant had been wholly sincere when he reminisced of his childhood in the Cairngorms and they talked of Yasmin's future as Mrs. Hourston-Gordon and their life together at his family home in Ballater. But, perhaps inevitably, he left, his regiment posted away from India, leaving a tearful 19-year-old Yasmin with a baby girl (and a whisky habit).

Those early years of motherhood for a so-called �fallen woman' in Bombay must have been very tough. They say that Yasmin rose above the dishonour and tittle-tattle with a remarkable and healthy indifference. Looking at her now, I suspect that there is hardly a moment she regrets. Yasmin was different. She always had a rare and enviable confidence, a self-sufficiency that allowed her to turn things to her to advantage. When her dear father passed, she dreamed again, this time to turn the cafe� into a place where everyone could be everything they imagined and more. Including her wonderful baby girl.

Born the same year as India's first talkie, �Alam Ara', was released, spirited little Ruby was surely destined for stardom. I hear that since she watched Hunterwali, she dressed and styled her hair according to her favourite heroine � even wearing shorts and fashioning herself a mask. No doubt, the persistence, confidence and striking good looks that she had inherited helped her find her way to the film sets of Wadia Movietone Productions, the very company that launched Nadia. Too briefly, she swung swords, fought lions, ran through fire. Sadly, her dream was cut short after injuring her spine thrice, swinging from chandeliers. No-one thought she would make a recovery.

But she was tough and undeterred, and far too used to being the centre of attention. Her mother's caf� soon became her new stage. As I look around, I can see only a few traces of the way it once was. It has changed, and somehow the place now reflects more or less perfectly the polish and poise of mother and daughter.

To her mother and their patrons, Ruby is the star of Bombay. A stream of guests flows into the club nightly to see her perform and to take in the heady atmosphere and drink strong toddy-laden tipples. Each night, as she stands on the stage, the band plays on, the music enchants, and Ruby bewitches Bombay. Don't fail to visit the caf� and don't fail to see her. And do remember me to Yasmin.