Saturday
London
Dearest,
From reports in the papers it is as cold at home as it is down here and I’m sorry for you, because it will mean no sandhill picnic for you this weekend. How will you avoid asking Mrs Gardner to go with you in future? It will be rather difficult, won’t it? Although I expect she will be doing more weekend visiting herself in the nice weather, especially as Valerie will be at school next summer.
You will be interested to know that I now get a rise of the magnificent sum of 1/9d a week under the new scheme. Aren’t they generous? All our lads have got a drip on about the fellows who were abroad being made killicks [leading seaman] and are wild with Jackie for not doing anything for us. I doubt if he ever will do, but some of us may have a go at him. We can’t do very much here now for it is obvious that if a draft comes along the people who have been at Whitehall longest will, in fairness, be pushed out. And once we start making any progress on the Continent, there is no doubt some of us will go. These lads, by the way, got seven weeks’ leave for about two years’ service at Freetown, but from all accounts they needed it for they didn’t get any local leave as there was nowhere to spend it. From all I hear, Freetown seems to be the last place God made. Altogether about 14 AMs are coming back here, but the P.O. of the watch has put in a plan that Tom and I shall be kept on our watch – which is very decent of him for there is always a danger of being split up if there is a reshuffle of the staff and apart from Jack Gray there is no one else I’m very friendly with here.
That is about all the news today, love, except that it is ruddy cold! These summer flannels are a curse after those warm jerseys. I don’t know what to do with myself today as it is too cold to watch cricket and there are no football matches close at hand.
It is some time since I wrote that and all day I have done exactly nothing, which always annoys me for I hate to waste my days off. Now tomorrow will seem twice as long – it always does. The one bright spot in today has been your letter. Thank you, love.
I’m glad you’re having a shot at the BBC for that is certainly the market. The great advantage is not merely that they pay well, nor even that you have got an additional market; but the halo of success which clings to anyone who breaks into the radio market and especially into the sacred circle of contributors to the children’s corner which is, as I have said so often, the pinnacle of broadcasting.
Although it had never occurred to me before, I can understand the children’s confusion about the connection between someone writing a story and them reading it in a book. I like the style of your ‘Cabbage’ story, which is the way stories for very young children should be written. Let me know what the BBC say, won’t you?
Dot heard from Mother today and if what she says is true then nobody got very much of the cake for she has sent some to people all over the country and is even sending some here. I’m damn sorry Dot ever sent it to her, aren’t you? She is a pest.
Thanks for the news of Wales. I’m glad you are fixed up, even though it is such a long way off and, of course, the days will not be so long then, though you should get some decent weather. The children will have to miss school, too, which is a pity, but I suppose everywhere will be booked up now. From my point of view, too, September is a long way off and anything may happen between now and then. In fact the course of the war will be decided before then.
Sorry to hear the news about Gardner. Is she going over to Bakewell to see him?
Thanks for letting me know the children’s reactions to my letters and I will be interested to see your article on their sense of humour. I see your point about the ‘Housewife’ article, but I still think I’m right. Still, I’m glad that it has not come home to roost yet.
Thanks for the analysis and news of Michael. Hope you didn’t get the idea I was really worried about him, because I think he will develop alright, especially now that he is playing with boys more and I think he will have to hold his own, but at the same time I want him to have some decent manners. I never suspected Wendy of such diplomacy. Good old Wendy!
Sorry to hear you are, like myself, broke, but I like your optimistic note about the FIRST ‘Housewife’ cheque! Nice work, love.
Hope you are all fit and well, though from the tone of your letters there’s no doubt of that! All my love to you and the children.
Ever your own,
Arthur X
May 061944