An emergency summit has been scheduled for 6.30 in Cafe Rouge. I hope I can get away without bloody Perpetua kicking up.

Marks and Spencer

Ubiquitous British department store. Not nearly as posh as Harrod's, but not as hopeless as, say, Sears. Can't quite tell if it's grandma lame or kitschy hip or trying too hard with mixed results. In my experience, it can be a great source of work-wear basics, undies, and cheap accessories. Really wide range of pre-fab frozen food.

Cafe Rouge

Based on its url, a chain of Frenchesque restaurants/bars. You can search for "Cafe Rouges close to you." I must admit I'm a bit disappointed in Bridget and Shazzer and Jude for being so addicted to a chain joint - are there no good local places in London?

Grafton Underwood (Sunday 1 January)

Northamptonshire (south-central England) home of Bridget's parents, Una and Geoffrey Alconbury, et al. Very quaint, based on pictures available here (second row down). (Former?) home of a Royal Air Force base. And for you medieval buffs, it's even an entry in the Domesday Book.