I was his plus-one. His wife was the host.

He said small dinner, one business associate. Penthouse in VI. Twelve seats. Gold place cards, mine said Guest of Mr A. The hostess came round greeting people, read my card, looked at him and said, "Darling, you didn't tell me you were bringing work home." His WIFE. Hosting. She moved me to the seat beside hers, poured my wine herself the whole night and asked me such kind questions. Nobody has ever been that nice to me. I still don't know if she was being kind or if that was the punishment.