Kitty and the Great Big World

In Jeannot's prestigious hair salon, the day is hectic as foreign ministers and aides crowd in for hair and nails. Kitty and Jeannette juggle multiple clients while the news from Geneva swirls around them. The atmosphere blends diplomacy with everyday beauty work, showing how the conference touches everyone in the city.

A distinguished gentleman asks Kitty for directions to Paradiso, and she escorts him there. He invites her to dinner, and they later move to an unnamed cheaper restaurant. A reporter photographs them, revealing that her dining partner is Sir William Ashlin, the British Foreign Secretary.

The next morning, a photo appears in major newspapers showing Kitty with the British Foreign Secretary at the second restaurant. Crawford accuses his superior of leaving the restaurant unescorted. He realizes a scandal is brewing and begins plotting a way to cover it up.

Crawford assigns Sir William's nephew, Robert Ashlin, to help out of the predicament. He gives Robert a special assignment to smooth things over and keep Kitty away from journalists during the fallout. The plan marks the start of a delicate diplomatic intervention.

Robert and Kitty slip out of the salon through the back door and head into the mountains near Lake Geneva with his protégé. They grow closer as they share conversations and moments away from the press. The isolation of the alpine setting contrasts with the city’s diplomatic bustle.

That evening, Kitty and Robert plan a boat trip to Malraux for the following morning. The arrangement signals a blending of personal romance with ongoing diplomatic maneuvering. They part with a sense of anticipation about what the next day will bring.

The British Foreign Secretary completes his preparations for the conference’s main session. He sits down for a shave in Jeannot's salon, and his nerves are noticed by those around him. The hairdresser suggests a long walk in the fresh air to steady him.

Moved to action, Sir William drives toward Malraux along the lake. The road is closed, so a fisherman's boy takes him by boat. The boy demands two francs, and because the secretary has forgotten his wallet, he cannot disembark, causing him to miss the opening of the conference.

With Sir William absent, the World Conference continues. His absence unexpectedly benefits the United Kingdom, as other foreign ministers agree to further concessions. The political stakes shift because one key figure is unavailable at the crucial moment.

Sir William returns to the English villa in Geneva to a warm and congratulatory reception. The absence proved to have a positive impact on the conference's outcomes, which are framed as a diplomatic win for the UK. The mood mixes relief with renewed political possibilities.

With the conference behind them, Robert learns he can stay in Geneva for two more weeks to finish diplomatic tasks. This extension gives him time to pursue and deepen his relationship with Kitty. The evolving romance sits atop a backdrop of successful diplomacy.

The narrative closes on a hopeful note as Kitty’s relationship with Robert appears ready to blossom. The diplomatic whirlwind has paused enough for personal happiness to take root. The UK’s improved standing is attributed to the unexpected turn of events surrounding William's absence.