Nick and La Contessa are hosting their Australia Day bash

Be careful darling, that’s the fourth snag Baxter has snaffled from the barbie,” La Contessa said. “You know he gets terrible gas.” “He’s not the only one,” said Nick, pointing to Detective Inspector Cleaver’s bulldog Brian. “Shocking.” “Brian has feelings you know,” said the policeman. “Lovely gathering as ever. Have you invited everyone from Turner Towers?”

“Yes, apparently someone has finally moved into murdered hairdresser Bryce Jauffret’s apartment,” said La Contessa. “She’ll be over any minute.”

“In the meantime I may mix my signature Australia Day martini,” said Nick. “I replace the lemon twist with backhousia citriodora.”

He was met with blank looks as he agitated the cocktail shaker. “Lemon myrtle,” he explained as the back gate opened and ‘Lady’ Arabella Saunders entered with her wheelchair pushed by a familiar figure in white overalls. “Isn’t that…?” began Nick.

“Yes,” said La Contessa, recovering and greeting them. “Minke Ohmdant from the Shah Kra Spa. You’ve moved in next door. How wonderful.”

“Jawohl, und now I can keep a close eye on Herr Nick’s drinking,” she laughed without humour.

“Mein Kommandant, what a lovely surprise,” said Nick. “May I offer you a nettle and comfrey cocktail?”

“Ha ha, always with ze jokes,” Minke said. “You must book into my new studio opposite.”

“I think I will,” said Nick and whispered to La Contessa: “It will be the perfect excuse to get inside Turner Towers and see what dodgy dealings are going on there.”