The Party Starts at Midnight

But you are a fan of it, so Happy Christmas, Abby. Everything looks fine—contracts are in the post. Yes to wow factors. Sadly the malt never materialised but I should think I’ll survive.

Leo

To: Leo Cartwright

From: Abby Summers

Subject: April 2

Date: 10 January

Hi Leo

Happy New Year! (Surely you can’t not be a fan of that?!) Just to let you know the following have been booked for April 2:

Caterers (please confirm menu choice)

Bar plus staff

70s band

Florist

Heated marquee and associated furniture

Lighting specialist

Photographer

Magician

Pyrotechnician

If you could get a guest list to me by the end of the week I’ll order the invitations on Monday.

Oh, and by the way, thank you so much for putting me in touch with Elsa Brightman. Did you know she was also your mother’s maid of honour? Anyway, she’s been brilliant with the details, and is an absolute mine of information. And not just with regards to your parents. Obviously discretion is my middle name and my lips are totally sealed, but let’s just say, the summer you were twelve? The fortnight’s grounding? I know what happened!

Abby x

To: Abby Summers

From: Leo Cartwright

Subject: Re: April 2

Date: 14 January

The summer I was twelve...? Hmm. Now let me think... Nope. Nothing springs to mind. But if, by any chance, you’re referring to the night when the next-door neighbours’ daughter’s pyjama party which was being held in the tree house in the back garden was gatecrashed, it was all Jake’s idea. Honest.

Guest list and menu selection attached.

Leo

PS—Happy New Year to you too.

PPS—Did you mean to sign off with a kiss?

To: Leo Cartwright