The invite said simply 10pm 24 Dec and an address

The invitation lay, without benefit of envelope, on the hall mat together with a slew of Christmas cards and a note from the post office saying they had been unable to deliver your parcel and please call this number etc.

An elegant blue missive, which said simply: 10 pm 24 December, The Old Mews. Formal attire.

Sophistication leached off the quality board into your chilly fingertips, warming them as if you had held your hands to an open blaze.

You turned the invitation over, looking for ...