May 131942
 

Wednesday
Aberdeen
Sweetheart,
Thank you for a lovely holiday. It did make a difference to me to have you close to me again and to be able to look forward to seeing you at the end of each day’s work. No matter what had happened it would have been worth it. Did you get to Crosby without any complications about late trains? Hope you had a nice journey. From what Mrs Grant said, your train was pretty crowded and you evidently got into a carriage full of servicemen’s wives. I’ll bet they didn’t stand you any beer on the train! Did you see Don Mac at Glasgow? I thought of you as I was going back to school and thought at that time you must have been struggling into Central with your bag.
How are the children after their holiday and have all your high hopes of a few days’ peace been realised? One thing I did mean to do on Sunday night was write a note to them. Hope you found May better than when you saw her last. Did you give her my love? I really must write soon but this is the first time I have sat down to letters – written ones – since you left. Last night was impossible because we went to see Chu Chin Chow and quite enjoyed it, although the singing was not up to the standard I had expected. Still, it was quite good. On Monday night, of course, I felt I couldn’t face a writing pad and, instead, went back to school for an hour, going on from there for a really final drink with Arthur, who, I found, had been drinking in a solitary state for two hours and was on the verge of suicide when I arrived!
I’m sorry to say I did not do so well in my weekly exam and, as I fell below the 85% mark, I have to go back four nights next week. I don’t mind that very much except that on Tuesday we all want to go to Her Majesty’s to see Henry Hall on his guest night, so think of the lads if you listen in at 8.30. I am going to ask if I can go back on Thursday or Friday this week instead of next Tuesday. As I have been back for voluntary on several occasions I might wangle out of it. Anyway, I’m going to try.
Mother sent on an airgraph letter yesterday. It was from Jane, as you will see. Will you keep it for me? Better let Mother see it. I made enquiries here and they say we cannot send airgraphs from here to India as the date for the operation of the scheme from this country has not yet been announced. Keep an eye open and if you see any news of the scheme let me know. Now that they know I’m in the Navy they may worry a bit. If you do write them this week, will you let them know the cable, money and airgraph all arrived? They may get your letter more quickly than mine.
Will you finish off the spool in the camera as soon as you can and let Dave have it back again? He will probably let you have prints in a day or two. This seems to be a letter of questions and requests! Here are a couple more: Did you remember to tell Dave to tell Bill Black that pipe smokers here say that tobacco should be mixed with something heavier? And have you been able to get hold of Hughie about the cigarette machines? I’m going to be desperate for one soon, because Arthur went today.
Well, darling, that’s about all the news and cross-questioning. The Grant family send their regards. I will keep in touch with them while I’m here, but do not promise to keep a weekly date with them. I expect you’ll be dropping Mrs Grant a line.
By the way, one other little thing. Will you please tell Mother that the tapper arrived yesterday? I’ll drop Bert a line during the weekend and probably write Mother as well.
Really must close now, sweetheart, as there is lots to be done and it is bath morning tomorrow. Write and tell me all the news of yourself, darling, and how the children are and how your allotment is. And perhaps it might occur to you to tell me other things as well. I do miss you, pet.
All my love. I do hope the holiday has done you as much good as it has done me and that it will stay with you for a long time. I won’t forget it quickly. As we said before, Aberdeen is on the roll of honoured places now. Night night, angel. I love you, you know.
Ever your own,
Arthur X