Friday
Glasgow
Dearest,
How now? And how did you feel when you got up? Don’t forget that I am relying on you to look after yourself properly until I come home. It looks as if it won’t be long now, for several of the lads are on the move. Do you remember me telling you that some of the lads – all Scotties – had been drafted to a shore station near here? Well, when they got to the station they were bunged straight on to a ship, without leave, and they are on their way to we know not where! That’s bad luck, isn’t it? One of them has his wife in the local maternity hospital where she gave birth to a girl about a week before he was drafted. From what I can gather, four more lads are going to Chatham this weekend and the rest of us go on Thursday. That seems fairly definite. So we should be home at the weekend or on the Monday.
I am glad I went into town last night. Guess who I saw? Durham! I would have been annoyed if I had missed him. Freda was with him, obviously very cut up about this embarkation leave (48 hours!), but she asked very kindly after you and asks to be remembered. Durham does look well and has not altered in the least. As you can guess, although we had only about three-quarters of an hour, it was a most touching reunion! He sends his love and promises to bring Freda to see us when the war is over!
Well, love, there’s not much time so I must be off. I have left my pen at home, dammit, and I hate writing in pencil these days. Do take care of yourself and get well and strong soon for I still love you. My love to May and the family.
All my love, angel.
Ever your own,
Arthur X
Oct 231942