Saturday
Aberdeen
Dear Michael,
Before you go on holiday I thought I would like to send you a little letter to say that I hope you will have a nice time at Nanna’s. Yesterday the postman brought me a cake from Nanna, so will you say “thank you” to her from me when you see her? Mummy has told me what a good boy you have been for a long time now and I know you will be just as good for Nanna while Mummy is having a holiday with me in Scotland. I know Nanna will have lots of things to show you while you are with her. I know you will enjoy yourself and will be a good boy.
Do you know what I did yesterday? I didn’t go to school in the afternoon, but instead I played football and we won. Daddy did not let the ball go past him once. I went skating on the ice last night and afterwards saw a lot of funny men who go to a big school here called the University. They were dressed as soldiers and sailors ands cowboys and Indians and some of them had long whiskers like Father Xmas. They were collecting pennies for people who are sick in hospital.
Well, night night, son. I will see you in three months and then I’ll be home for a whole week.
Love from Daddy
Dear Wendy,
I have such a lot to do now that I have not very much time to write letters so I thought that instead of going for a walk this afternoon I would write to you and Michael. Are you looking forward to going to Grandma’s to sleep? I do hope you will have a nice time and that there will be a lot of sunshine because then Auntie Chris might let Jennifer play out with you for a little bit. You will have to be careful, of course, because Jennifer is only a little girl yet, isn’t she? Even if Auntie Chris thinks she is too little to play out, you will be able to go shopping with them, won’t you? And do you think you will be able to help Grandma in the house? I’m sure there are lots of little things you will be able to do. I know you will be a good girl for Grandma while Mummy is in Scotland. In another three months I will be able to come home for a whole week. Won’t that be nice? I must say night night now. Do you remember how I always used to say “See you in the morning”? Well, now I’ll say “See you in three months”. Night night and have a nice time. My love to Grandma.
Love from Daddy
Angel,
Many thanks for your letter with some idea of train times. From your reference to Madge I take it the Rosses are coming to Crosby this weekend. As soon as you get the definite time of arrival, will you let me know? Just in case you do arrive before I can get to the station, here are two ways to get to your digs. Don’t forget the address is Hutcheon Street and the name Mrs Grant. Now to get there: At the station you should be able to get a No. 19 bus marked Rosehill. The conductress will put you off at Hutcheon Street if you ask her. If you have long to wait at the station, go into Union Street and get a No. 17 bus. I don’t think you will need the 17, but if you do, be sure to get on the bus going to Hilton. If you get on the other one you will finish up in Torry and I’d not like that for not even I could save you from being killed in the rush which is always made by 400 crazy matelots when a bus is sighted. I never believed grown men could be as childish or fight as wildly and with less consideration than our fellows.
All the houses in Aberdeen, or almost all of them, are built as flats, as I think I have told you before. Mrs Grant lives in the top flat. Don’t ring at the front door. Just push the door open and walk up the stairs – don’t worry, it’s quite the usual thing to do. Go as far up the stairs as you can and on the top landing you will find yourself facing two doors. Both are inhabited by Grant families. The one you want is the right-hand door as you face them from the top of the stairs. Don’t forget – the RIGHT-hand door. Now I think you will find the place alright, but if you have any doubts drop me a line by return post – don’t wait until morning. However, if you are correct in saying you have to go to Glasgow and wait there two hours, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if I am away from school by the time you get here. Is the all-night journey going to be worth it if you are only going to save four or five hours? Anyway, it’s not worth debating that point until I know the exact time you are expected. I’m not going to debate the little points – other than those connected with your journey – which you raise in your letter. I should imagine we will be OK if you can bring £5 in cash and your bank-book just as a stand-by. We may need it!
There are a few things I’d like you to bring for me when you come. They are: two writing pads if there are any left, if not don’t worry because I still have a reasonable supply; a small notebook, soft back, if there are any in my desk but again, if not, don’t worry; my air raid diary; corn ointment if there’s any left in a box on our dressing table; empty tobacco tin; hard boot brush from those I returned; my other razor from the bathroom cabinet and tube of Shavex from same place; and your marking pencil for my underclothes and hankies. Thanks for the razor blades but I asked for the slotted blades. If you bring my other razor, however, I’ll be able to use any type of blade in it and slotted blades are hard to get here. When you are going I’ll give a few things to take back with you, but I think I mentioned that before.
Yes, I think you are right about the type of letter you have been writing lately. It’s the best way just now. And talking of letters, I hear the stock at sick bay has run out! So I will have to hunt round for other sources of supply! The Far East is likely to be a serious loss to the husbands and wives of the British Empire, but perhaps not so serious a loss to them as to the single lads and lasses if my memory serves me aright! To think of the times we discarded perfectly good evidence after one occasion in our careless youthful days! Woe is me – and you. And perhaps careless days is a good description, too. Lie down, John! He’s got a touch of spring fever today so I hope you’ll excuse him. Oh my darling! No need to say more is there? Away from that theme, it’s too dangerous.
Glad to hear about vapours, but sorry about the extent to which you had to go. Don’t go carrying on beyond your time, will you? And now that vapours have started, don’t go and overdo the housework. When you get here, I don’t want you to be tired out. Above all else, to be serious for a minute, I want you to go home feeling better for the change of scenery, as well as for other reasons!
There is little to report of my own activities beyond the fact that I got what would be considered a pass in a “procedure” paper on Thursday. I wasn’t satisfied with the way my paper was marked, but for all that I got just over 70%. I expected 90% but the instructor tells us there are a lot of fellows who are taking finals who could not pass it.
Well, pet, this is all for now. Only a few more days after you get this. Try to get all the sleep you can on the way up here. No, even if you arrive in the afternoon, I don’t think I will sleep at Hutcheon Street on the Friday because the snag is the business in getting up in time to be at the baths for 7am. The Grants are not up at 6.30am and that would be the very latest I dare get up. If I’m late for the baths, I will have to go back to Torry on Monday night.
As you will gather from my letters to the children, it was Students Day in Aberdeen on Friday. So I have seen a flag day in Aberdeen and the music hall jokes are all wrong. The people are quite generous and very helpful.
Now darling I really must go. If I post this now I think you will get it on Monday morning, then if there is anything you want answering, sit down, write me and go straight to the post and I will have it by Wednesday.
Bye, my angel. See you in six more days! Whoopee! All my love, my darling.
Ever your own,
Arthur X