This was certainly an unusual assignment! Some very rich Indians had decided to go to Gstaad for three months in the summer to play golf, leaving their two sons, Harrilal and Ramdas, aged 11 and 13 in the care of a tutor while they were away. I had many interviews with both parents on Zoom and they seemed to be very nice people – whom I'd never met in the flesh! 

I lived in the house with the boys, looked after by a substantial staff. Their parents decided that their sons should spend the summer holidays progressing with their studies rather than lounging around in Gstaad! Their school had sent me a copious list of what they should study during the summer holiday. 

At first it seemed strange to be master of the very luxurious house with the two boys, but they were very well-mannered and happy to advance their studies. I got on very well with them both and we played many games together including squash, at which they were both very good. The family were members of the Bombay Gymkhana Club and arranged for me to be able to take the boys there. 

In fact the boys and I had a wonderful time together; they were both bright and good students and seemed to enjoy their studies. They were very good learners. We were the best of friends and the staff in the house were very friendly and did everything they could to make me feel at home. Their parents telephoned often and spoke to the two boys and then to me and the butler. 

Not only was it an easy assignment, because the two boys were so well-behaved and joined in any activity that I suggested with enthusiasm, but I enjoyed it enormously as the two boys were such fun and we had a wonderful time together. 

I heard from their school afterwards that the two boys’ academic work had advanced a lot in the summer holidays and the school teachers were very pleased with them. 

I have been back to stay with the family often since – and the parents turned out to be just as nice as the children. JL