Companions in their thirties, and four unhurried routes through East London

Margo takes a window table at The Grapes in Limehouse, the old riverside pub on Narrow Street with Dickens in its history, and lets the evening take as long as it needs. Dark hair worn poker-straight, a vintage lounge style, a love of contemporary art and piano played late. Long bookings are where she shines. Ten hours overnight, £1,800, suits her far better than a short visit, and the overnight itinerary explains how that works on the Wharf.

Nancy is the sunniest of the four, golden blonde and quick to laugh, with open water swims and long road trips filling her own time. Her route begins at the sushi counter above the Elizabeth line, where she chooses the order of every plate, and ends with a slow walk to the edge of the dock as the reflections settle. Weekends go fast, so ask by Wednesday; midweek she is easy to book.

Sonya keeps a firm window, five o'clock to ten. Inside it she offers a performance on the early programme at Sadler's Wells East, a light supper by the water and a calm walk through the Olympic Park. Hazel eyes, a dancer's poise, a rare scent, very little small talk and a great deal of listening. The Stratford page has the stations and hotels close by.

Violetta chooses the grand old tavern beside the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, tall windows onto the Thames and the towers on the far bank. She reads first editions, swims long distances and has a deadpan humour that lands a moment after you expect it. The dinner date, four hours at £900, gives her route the time it needs.

Clearer messages, for one. Each of these four tells Philippa exactly what she prefers, and the desk passes it on before you commit, so nothing is left to guesswork on the night. They are also the most at ease with silence, which matters on a river walk more than people expect. Rates match every other floor, starting at £250 an hour, and the whole list sits on the rates page.

Composure is not the same as formality. All four laugh easily, and not one of them requires a grand setting. What they bring is a sense that the hours are being spent on purpose, which is often exactly what a guest has been missing all week.

Three of the four are brunette or raven haired; Nancy is the only blonde. Margo and Violetta also appear on slim and slender, and Nancy on curvaceous. Sonya carries two more: toned and athletic and petite. The band before this one is late twenties.