Possible Clues:

• A longing to find something reportedly dropped in an hotel?
• A desire that I will succeed
• Eighth letter a companion's written about new technology
• A yen that chap has to forego to become international
• A long letter dropped in East London
• A longing to be head of Harrow, perhaps?
• Character assassination's beginning to irritate
• Common aspiration?
• First letter on hunger?
• A Cockney will often drop one