Truly there is nothing new in this world - just modish ways of doing (or not doing) the same old stuff.

The twentieth century gave us washing machines, sandwich toasters, and microwave dinners; labour saving devices that rid us of the need for those tiresome servants.

But now it seems all this labour saving has got us worked into a frenzy, and once again we're turning to the serving classes. This time they don't live downstairs, wear bonnets, and talk all 'cor blimey guvnor' when they think you're not listening - instead they're former PAs and PRs, who understand just how busy you are, and really, really, really want to help.

They can do anything a good PA or butler could do, and then some (from moving your home, to paying your bills, to finding you the best masseur), and have ever so modern names like Life Boutique, Urban PA, and Buy:Time.