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There seems to be little certainty on whether 22/31 has definite or indefinite article. I looked it up in the ODQ, 7th edition (2009) and the ODQ can’t even agree among itself, giving the indefinite article in the index but the definite article in the actual entry.

Indeed I did, SS. I was pretty much forced to by a “friend” and I never did find out what I did wrong do deserve such cruel punishment. I mean, even South American drug cartels would balk at such vicious barbarity. I went straight into counselling and ten or more years on, I’m doing quite well but there are still triggers. Only the other day I was in an Indian restaurant and someone ordered chicken tikka. I heard it as Chiquitita which I think was the one they sang in the toilet, and I was unable to use a lavatory for several days. Fortunately the police were understanding when they caught me doing my business in the street. Perhaps they had seen this abomination against the art of cinema too…

DSC. 18 12 links with the message from b, as per the preamble.
It doesn’t do anything per se, just reinforces the message.

Marvellous Loge. Incidentally, chicken Tarka is a bit like chicken Tikka……only ‘otter. I thank you

🤣 SS!

Loge -
loved Mamma Mia - doesn't mean I'd want to watch it twice, though.
Dontcha love coming out of the movies and singing down the street? Just did that after seeing Anything Goes with Sutton Foster! (I'm in love...)

[I'm aware that my taste in music probably disqualifies me from participating in this forum - just sang 'The Old Tattooed Lady' after Christmas dinner...]

OK - Norah - New Year's Resolution: not to go so far off-piste.

When the Listener was published last Saturday it said underneath that Listener 4691 would be in today’s paper - where was it?! Obviously some readers were able to access it on Friday/Saturday, but I was unable to find a copy until I saw a comment on this forum.

Thanks Planks - and Loge (#93, #94) - the old Greek had indeed deceived me as you suspected (timeo Danaos...et dona ferentes...) I'd missed post #33 that would have put me right - and I'd also carelessly assumed that Jan Vermeer drew his home oft - silly me.
The nauseously twee 'boat-shaped napkin (serviette?) stands' were totally impervious to Google, Wiki, even Etsy (don't go there - far worse than Mamma Mia) and my old Chambers CD won't work any more for reverse searching. But successive substitutions following your hint revealed the utterly useless word.

So now (c) has revealed itself. What now - not sure what to substitute with (c), and how - even if (c) is what it seems: there was talk of a moor earlier, which could be encouraging, but Loge discounted it at post #59.

And in any case, what to do with the four clashing non-thematically-symbolic letters in 18 & 12? They form a thematically suggestive anagram?

I'm just muttering to myself, really, while hoping for the fourth or fifth PDM - but any subtle hints would be gratefully received.

Quixote, I assure you I was singing in the street after my M***a M*a ordeal - the song in question of course being "Kill the Director" by the Wombats.

The moor is a useful pointer, but if you find the Wiki article I mentioned in an earlier post (google the first and last words from the extra letters, plus a word from the title) you'll see there's a related item rather more suited to the time of year.

If there's any relevance to the clashing letters in 18 12, it eluded me.

Diver, if you have a print copy of the 27 December edition of The Times, and specifically of Times 2, then Listener 4691 is at the botton of page 6. Otherwise you can find the online incarnation of it at https://www.dropbox.com/sh/da784csxw7o0cob/AADQOuar0HrKyRkO2kCw1ZDUa?dl=0 .

Enjoy!