When a friend phones H. K. Hales one Christmas Eve in a panic and asks for help, he is somewhat bemused. The caller is due to be married the next day and cannot possibly get there on time. H. K. rises to the challenge of driving him at top speed to Ashby-de-la-Zouch. It seems like they might be in with a chance of getting there on time, until the car breaks down nine miles short and they are forced to try to find an alternative mode of transport.