Friday
Aberdeen
Dearest,
Many thanks for the parcel, which arrived here just before I left for the baths, which is good going. I have noticed before that generally speaking mail seems to travel more quickly from your end than from here and that letters don’t seem to come as quickly as parcels. So you look all svelte in your frock, eh? Well just you keep off my preserves. I’ll do all the commenting necessary so far as your hips are concerned. And can I comment? I was thinking of your clothes problem only yesterday when it rained all day here. I’m glad you are to get yourself a mack. You certainly need one. Let me know if you do manage it. Our letters about Wendy’s teeth have crossed. Hope you won’t think I was being Jewish in my suggestion that you put it off until schooldays. By the way, have you heard anything from the school? If not I should go up and see them. Don’t leave it, or she may be a term late getting in. I’m sorry about the gap in her teeth in a way. Whatever you say, it will spoil her appearance a bit and that tooth having such a start may push the later ones out a bit. It will be well established by the time the other second ones begin to show.
Glad to hear the news about Reg going to Kirkby for I’m not disinterested in his future! I’m hoping he’ll do that plot for you soon. Many thanks for the picture of the garden. I wish I could see it. Don’t forget to let me know if there are any raids.
This will be the shortest note I have sent you for some time, but today was pay day – I’ve got 36/- for a fortnight. Whoopee! So I’m going ice skating with the lads. It’s only 1/6 including skates, which is cheaper than drinking and it will be a change. While I’m on the subject of money, don’t send me a penny. Put every cent you can lay your hands on aside. You never know when you will need a little extra cash. In any case, if I do need a few bob it will be when I’m on leave to buy beer for YOU. You secret drinker! Seriously, if I’m short I’ll let you know.
Just back from the ice rink. Skating was such a pleasant change from anything I’ve done here yet that I’m all enthusiastic at the moment and seriously thinking of making this a regular weekly night out. I have always had a sneaking desire to learn to skate decently and this seems an excellent opportunity. I took things very quietly tonight as I don’t want to be as stiff as a board tomorrow. There were some very good skaters there, the best being Canadian R.A.F. men. As usual in all my enthusiasms I wondered how you would react to it and made a vow, as with golf, to try to have the children learn while they are young enough to take to it naturally. Both golf and skating are sports which last beyond the normal “games” period of life. There was a fellow of over 60 tonight teaching a fellow and a girl, both in their 20s. Golf is just the same and if you learn both these sports really early and then have to leave them for a time you never really forget them.
Bye, precious. All my love, darling.
Arthur