Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day is a novel by Winifred Watson, first published in 1938 by Methuen & Co with illustrations by Mary Thomson.

Her employment agency arranges an interview with Delysia LaFosse, a nightclub singer and socialite, whom they believe to be looking for a nursery governess though in fact she is seeking a maid.

Nick arrives, handsome and dangerous – a man with a cocaine habit whom Delysia finds irresistible in spite of herself.

Delysia confides that she is torn between Phil, who is in a position to back her for the lead role in a new show; Nick, who part-owns the nightclub in which she is a singer; and also Michael, a self-made and newly-wealthy man who wants to marry her.

They dress for a late afternoon party, Delysia lending Miss Pettigrew a gown while Edythe gives her a makeover.

At the party, Miss Pettigrew has a little too much to drink, and later frets she was rather rude to Tony, but almost by accident convinces him to reconcile with Edythe.

Miss Pettigrew strikes up a rapport with Joe Blomfield, a wealthy middle-aged bachelor who has made his fortune designing women's corsets.

Miss Pettigrew confesses that in spite of appearances she is in reality a penniless governess; Joe says that makes no difference to his growing feelings.