Postmarked COLNE LANCS 8PM 13 DEC 1939
addressed to Lieut. R. Helme, A Coy 1/6th D.W.R., Church House, Norton, Malton. Yorks.
Albert House, Colne, Lancs.
13th Dec.
My darling,
I am so sorry you found my letter cold the other day – well cool, anyway. Honey, I know I wasn’t feeling cool, or even lukewarm. I was spilling over with love for you as ever, but I just can’t have conveyed it to you.
In your letter today you sound just like a dear little boy who thinks that nobody loves him. And like the little boy darling, in acting in a nobody-loves-me fashion, you make me love you all the more. So you see; it will never be very hard to you to make me run to you lavishing love and adoration.
So far I haven’t heard many remarks about our engagement. I don’t think that it has been really spred abroad yet, but will be very soon as the Colne Times phoned today enquiring about it, and wanting details. We were out, but Mum is phoning now unless she’s already done so. A shame there isn’t a dashing photo – or rather a photo of you looking dashing in your uniform – to put in the paper. Now if only you’d had yours taken weeks ago. As it is, there is to be no photo.
I was in Bill Heys this afternoon, and Mrs Hey brought one of the boys (the younger I think) to see “Ronnie’s young lady.” I said “I cut it a horrible sight”, feeling somewhat ghastly, being cold of nose and feet!
Mummy Granny and I went to Burnley this morning about eleven, to do some shopping. The morning was taken up with Granny’s shopping. She was buying a new frock for the festive season – and oh joy, what a palaver! We found one to suit the old girl at Kate Barns, and she will fairly swagger about in it – you’ll see! The women in the shop kept looking at me, and eventually asked me if I was Miss Eadie, and had I been one of the bridesmaids at Cunningham’s wedding. They remembered what a pretty pair we were – and then I thought of your cruel mirth at my turned out feet in the photo!
We stayed in Burnley for lunch, and Moué and Irene came with us – to Oddies’s. We had a very good lunch: tomatoe soup, turkey, roast potatoes, cauliflower, and plum pudding – with very rummy sauce to finish. I can tell you I was full.
In the afternoon we went to Lipton’s and I chose two books, (John Harvy’s present) “Shabby Summer” by Warwick Deeping, and “Reaching for the Stars” a book on Germany by an American Quaker woman. Both 8/6 books – so I didn’t go quite up to a pound.
Then we went to the Co-op jewellers, and I ordered a silver chain bracelet, and gave them your ‘T’s to take the backs off and put rings on the top. Can you think of anything else belonging to you that I could have to put on? Can I have a small brass button, or haven’t you a spare?
What do you think of the Middelton idea? Fancy you being at home on the 6th January too. Perhaps we could go then? What else can we do that’s romantic and sentimental when you come home? A week tomorrow honey, if all these blokes get better in time. Dont you go and get flu or anything crazy.
No, don’t be punctured until you get back sweet boy, because you might be so busy that you wouldn’t have the rest you should after it.
Irene told Moué that Raymond said he was expecting a commission. Also Hayseed Parsons. Surely that can’t be so. Are they in the second line? If so, I suppose it’s possible. Raymond is a sergeant now evidentally. I can’t help hoping he doesn’t get one. He bothers me. Silly of me of course, but he strikes me as such a conceited, petted little ass.
Marj and Moué are discussing the stinginess of the old girl who has told us she is not giving us Christmas presents this year – not even her customary pair of socks for Daddy – because she is providing a Turkey. She thinks her generosity is terrific. The lack of it certainly is!
Well, maybe I’ll be as bad at her age. Heaven help you dear. But I don’t really think I shall be, because she was born that way, and I don’t think I was.
You certainly weren’t anyway, Angel boy, and “the more I see of some folks, the more I love my Ronnie!”
I told your Mother about your shortage of underpants, by the way. What a delicate subject, my lamb. Anyway, it was over the phone, so she couldn’t see my maidenly blushes. Well, I didn’t say underpants. Just pants. Of course, there will be a day when when I am in charge of these intimate garments; a day when we will set up house with Granny’s silver, my tea set, my table cloth, and your cup and salver.
The ring is still flashing beautifully, and I am so proud of it that I have become left handed. I don’t wear it in the house in the mornings, as it would spoil it, and I am taking such care of it.
I went to see “The Lion has Wings” with Pa last night by the by. It was good but purely propaganda. I can’t think whether you’ve seen it?
Beloved, I am about to close. Don’t you be lonely and unloved, because you possess my passion, my friendship, my motherly affection and wifely love. Yours, Kay.