Octavia

The patronne , or the equivalent in Italian (anybody?) , of the Alpino restaurant in Barnsbury. A proper Italian café. We all said how glamorous she is - a bit like Sophia Loren - and she agreed "everyone they say that" was her reply with a smile. But she said it without any arrogance or vanity. A charming woman who manages to pull in the punters. It was packed.

Meanwhile her husband is happy to straighten up the chairs and refold the newspapers.