At 9am on a fine September day, a coach sets off from Parsons Green, that prized piece of London SW6. It’s a day-trip, the coach is packed and there’s a mood of high expectation. But there are no raised voices here, let alone anything so drastic as, say, singing, or even humming.

Instead, there’s one of the most comforting sounds to be heard: the subdued and friendly twitter of about 30 educated, middle-class ladies of a certain age, up for a good time. They’re dressed in a mêlée of pastels, all cashmere cardies, with hairbands or sunglasses holding back their perms. All wear sensible shoes. It’s the most reassuring company you could hope to find.