Thanks ... it did seem very strange - and a bad introduction to Hosting, even though I've been using Airbnb on and off over 6 or 7 years.
It showed up in the Inbox, and the title in the conversation list on the left (1 of 1) was 'Trip Requested'.
The prospective Guest had sent two messages in the conversation - the second asking me not to Accept the request before we'd spoken. I gather she wanted the dates 'pencilled in' so no-one else could request a conflicting stay prior to me dealing with her request - but doesn't want to be slugged a fee by Airbnb if I accept before the question is dealt with.
Having cleared the Airbnb "this might be suspicious" type warning, I was able to respond, explaining the above to her and putting the ball back in her court so to speak.
Thanks for taking the time to message me Mike and/or Jane 🙂
I hope that life in the UK settles down a little for you all soon.
We're looking forward to our next QF1 flight as soon as leaving the biggest (and for now seemingly safest) island in the world is less of a gamble.