Situation: You are going away for a week and you are hoping a friend of yours will be willing to call round to feed your pet(s) and water your plants. Write a letter to your friend explaining the problem and asking for his/her help.

My dearest Beata,

At first I want to thank you for your last mail. I was very pleased that you let me know everything is well with you. I'm sorry for the delay in answering but I've been preparing to my trip to the Czech Republic.

However, I would like to ask you a favour connected with that trip. I thought that my neighbour would take care of my cat and plants but she's visiting her family then. Would be please be willing to call round to feed my cat one a day and to water my plants? You live next to me and you're the only person I can ask for it. I'm only going for a week on 1st December and I'll be back on 7th December in the morning.

I must finish because I have to pack myself. I'd be grateful if you could help me.

Best wishes,
Marta