Sunday
London
Dearest,
The leave rota is up at long last! First lot begins on the 12th and we are due to go on the 28th. At the moment there is the usual argument as to how the watches will be worked out and that argument will be, or should be, settled tomorrow and then we will know exactly how we are working. It will take us all a day or two to get into our stride, I suppose, because at the beginning, as at the end, we usually have to do “bastard” watches in order to make the change over. Anyway, those are only details which won’t really affect leave itself. We will finish watch at 6 a.m. so I’ll be on the 8.30 a.m. train, which should be on time on this occasion for I’m told the trains are more punctual now.
As soon as we do get the watches straightened out I’ll let you know what they are so that you will know what to do about writing. Briefly, the position is that I’ll only be off every third day and, as my time will be more restricted, letters may be uncertain. The great thing is that you now have a definite date to look forward to and three weeks today instead of writing letters I’ll be having a cup of tea in bed with you. Lovely thought! And now you can begin doing all your pre-leave jobs – light ones for the first few days, but perhaps next week you’ll get my suit dhobied for me will you? As you do each job it will bring leave so much nearer and by the time you get this there will be less than three weeks to go. Sweetheart, I think that’s all there is to be said on the subject of leave except that I’m sorry it won’t coincide with either your birthday or Ernest’s leave. Still, if you can get that awkward child of yours vetted in the meantime, I should be home in time for the panto. Last year I was a week later getting home and we were still in time for it.
Darling, I think I’ve said all I can say on the subject of vapours, haven’t I? And I do understand what you mean by getting used to the idea before you wake up. You’ve been such a good girl over it, angel, and I love you for it, but I wish I’d been there to help you over the stile. Poor old girl. Better now? I hope so and do go to see Rees. I know how you feel about his bill so go and see him by all means. From what you’ve said in the past I took it that you had thrashed it out with him. Goodness knows I’ve been at you often enough about it. Shall I write to him? I almost did so without asking you and if you think it will pave the way for you I’ll write him as soon as you let me know. When you do see him, talk to him quite frankly about the bills. He is no fool and must have a good idea what our income is. Anyway, I guess he will appreciate you being quite straight with him about it.
The only bright spot I can see in the whole affair is that had vapours come at the normal time, you’d have had them again while I was on leave. Selfish but honest! And let us be quite honest with ourselves again. If you are a week late in future, immediately after I have been home, we’ll begin hoping once more. Personally I’m half inclined to the belief that on both occasions you had started, but that for some reason it became detached. And on that reasoning I’ll bet that they were both boys – that when you do hold it the full time it will be a girl! Old woman’s fancies, eh?
Your reference to the Sweetland wedding is the first I have heard of the event so I don’t even know who has been married and to whom! I loved the children’s reactions. Yes, love, Dot got your wire and the children’s letters as I think you know by now.
When you get this you will have had your weekend at Hughie’s and I hope you had a pleasant time. At least it would help to take your mind off yourself and by today aches and pains will have diminished, I hope, and you will be feeling much more normal. There is little other news today except that Jim Morris has arrived in Murmansk safely and that Lofty and Harry Peake sail for Algiers from Liverpool! They took a poor view of the land of scouse, apparently. Leave has occupied the rest of the news and views today.
Jen fell from the windowsill this morning and hit the deck three floors down! Her nose is bleeding and Jack is treating her like a human being. It’s taking me all my time to keep quiet, but I’ve managed it so far!
On Friday, by the way, after writing you I took “our walk” from Kew to Richmond in lovely early spring weather and on the way I saw a heron circling round a rising fish in the river. Further on I saw what is, to me, a rare sight – a kingfisher flashing down the brook between the Royal Mid-Surrey Course and the Thames. A really lovely sight for the kingfisher is tropical in the brilliance of his plumage. I thought of you a lot during my walk and thought how nice it would have been to have had your hand in mine while we stood watching the birds. Never mind, love, this leave we’ll try to get out for an occasional walk, perhaps along the beach, eh? Perhaps you will get out some ideas of what you want to do. Will you let me know what you have in mind so that I can chew them over and fit them in with people I may want to see?
While I remember, there are nine coupons in this book at the moment (six gone for your set and one for Dot’s hankies) and in addition the two at the top of the page which are divided into quarters.
Although it is Sunday I still can’t tell you what your cake is like because it isn’t teatime! You won’t forget to tell me what you thought of Wendy’s s’prise, will you? I still chuckle when I think of it as I first saw it.
Dearest, this is all the news just now. I’m longing for you and to hold you close again will be heaven. Now that leave has been fixed I feel ever so much more easy in my mind for, with these long hours, time will pass very quickly for me. I’ll only do five long watches before I’m up your way! Isn’t that lovely? Keep that in mind to cheer you up, sweetheart.
Now I’m off to the post. All my love to you and the children, sweetheart.
Ever your own,
Arthur X
Jan 091944