Dear William

many thanks for your birthday invitation. Sorry for the tardy reply but I only confirmed last night that I'm gonna be working on Saturday with zany jazz outfit The Dave-Rees Williams Trio, a fun-packed threesome who incorporate a number of different musical styles all fused together in a web of juxtaposed improvisation. Unfortunately, I'm not due to finish until 8pm making it impossible to attend your Nimmo (as in crazy 70's sitcom "Life Begins At Forty" starring the ubiquitous Derek Nimmo).

p.s.-did you know that Derek Nimmo is cockney rhyming slang for limousine? Bob Hoskins' secretary has stated that he often asks her to "get on the dog and order me a Derek for Heathrow unless you want your minces poked out". Lovely man. Hoss.