She enchants everyone she meets – and I mean that almost literally, in that she seems to be a fairy godmother, changing their lives for the better through Cockney wisdom and irrepressible optimism. Mrs Harris goes to Paris introduces the indomitable, apple cheeked char lady Mrs Harris, a Londoner of a certain age who ‘does’ for the wealthy residents of Belgravia (this is the area between Sloane Square, Hyde Park and Knightsbridge, by the way – think wide roads of tall white stucco houses and private garden squares that nobody apart from the very wealthy could ever hope to afford). It lacks some of the magic of “Flowers for Mrs Harries” aka “Mrs Harries goes to Paris”, but it is a nice read.

Mrs 'Arris moved from one mess, slop, and untidy house to the next a half a dozen times a day, only leaving when the place was immaculately neat, clean, and sweet smelling.The term dates as far back as the late 16th century and is derived from an old medieval word 'chare' meaning an odd job or task. The ending is, predictably, a happy one, though not quite as Mrs Harris has envisioned it to be from her earlier altruistic schemings. I’m so pleased that these reprint publishers exist as I know I’d never have heard of these fantastic novels without them.

Now I can see by the other reviews that most other readers manage to ignore the heart-wrenching part and find this book lovely, charming, heart-warming etc; all of these epithets apply, too, especially if you don't think that the ending is more important than the rest of the book. If there was some way to notify him about his child’s plight, surely he would effect an immediate rescue? Hardback, VG, in unclipped dustjacket slightly tanned to spine, a little glue residue from removed laabel on reverse. Left to herself, Mrs Harris then indulged in one of her favourite pastimes, which was the reading of old newspapers. In all the years of her drab and humble existence, she’s never seen anything as magical as the dress before her and she’s never wanted anything so badly.

So when she is asked to go to New York with one of her clients to keep house for her, she smuggles the lad with her to try to find his father. Harris sequels are enjoyable in their own way, but I think that the original Flowers for Mrs Harris is so perfect from beginning to end.