Dear R, I remember with great pleasure our last meeting at my grandmother's, and her dropping the cake on you. In the Christmas spirit I wish to inform you that I shall come to Shanghai next weekend, and I extend an invitation to dinner on Saturday night. I am aware that our relationship has not been entirely cordial for a while, and trust that you will put this down as much to your silver-spooned snobbery as my rough etiquette. I am sure you will be busy that evening with other glittering lights from the commercials world, but I felt that not to at least proffer the invitation could be construed as discourteous. Sincerely, and Merry Christmas, Simon