17th Dec 1939

Postmarked COLNE LANCS 715PM 17 DEC 1939
addressed to Lieut. R. Helme, A Coy 1/6^th D.W.R., Church House, Norton, Malton. Yorks

Albert House, Colne, Lancs.

Sunday

My darling Ronald,

I’m very sorry about the scrap I sent you on Friday; and to think that it had to last you over the weekend too!

I have just returned from Church. I couldn’t say much about Mac vicars sermon because I wasn’t listening very much. I was thinking about next Thursday and what we would do. Next Sunday, my belovéd you are going to come to Church, and if you are nice to me on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, you can sit next to me. On Sunday evening you are coming to the ‘Messiah’ at the Municipal Hall with us, and you will be able to hold my hand ‘in spirit’ only because the lights will be on, and James, Willie, Dicky and all the gang of stiffs will be there!

You will see from the local rag that John Hargreaves, John Lewis, Dorothy Hartley and Clara Fortune are the Soloists.

Matron phoned yesterday, and was thrilled about our engagement. She wants to see us, so I said we might pop in on Friday afternoon – if that suits you my lambkin?

Oh, how I long to see you, and squeeze your enlarged pore. I’ve got the anaesthetic all ready for the operation.

So you let me win at Colnito. Well if you expect me to believe that, you evidentally – or is it evidently don’t go in for intelligent fiancées. No, I’m afraid I shall have to find a new game. I know, we can play Ping Pong. Moué has been nattering me to play with her for days, so we’d better put the table up. Then you can beat me – yes?

Winnie Broughton ran up to me after Church to give me her best wishes, and I was to congratulate you from her. I don’t think she was hiding a broken heart, but you never know!! Gosh, I am so glad you didn’t fall for her unrecovrably. Imagine it my boy! The heavens are on my side.

… Slight pause for cup of tea and chunk of date pastes. Rather weird. I feel warmer now. I felt to be on the verge of a cold for the last day or two, but I refuse to succumb. Moué has a bad cold, and of course I have to breath her germs at night, but I shall not, not have a cold when you return, my Angel. How is your cold? I hope you are taking care of yourself. If there is anything you want dear, I am in a doctor’s house.

I phoned your Mother yesterday morning and told her about your change of plans. She seemed disappointed. I thought it was too good to be true and when I saw your other letter I said to myself, “This will be to say he can’t get off on Tuesday,” so I was prepared. Besides, Tuesday is not very much earlier than Thursday, and you may manage off Wednesday night. If so beware of the black out, as I want you to arrive intact.

Your Mother phoned again later in the day to ask if I had a good photo of you for the Times. As you know, I haven’t. She is thinking of giving them your camp photo which I think is quite good. Especially as you are in uniform. Anyway, your Mother will have told you all about it. I don’t think you’ve got a better one, have you? Now if only you’d had it taken — !!?

Fancy you being spread all over the Colne Times. Honey, you are famous. I’m longing to see your funny face in the news. But ten times more, I am longing to see your funny face in the flesh.

Mummy is annoying Moué and me by insisting upon staying in the cold room next door trying to find something the Old Girl has asked for. She is just asking for more cold, but will she listen to us! The Old Girl herself is in bed today, but at Mum’s wish because she was sneezing a lot yesterday, and we prefer to have her in bed one day to one month or so.

I heard from T’Al the other day, and she asks me to send her congratulations. She would write, but she says she is a very poor writer.

Mum has just started to write to you, and has just told Moué to be quiet as she is writing to her future son-in-law.

Moué and I went over to have tea with the new Mrs Robertson yesterday afternoon, and the two Fisher girls were there. They also wish me to give their congrats to you, and Susan says she was in the same form as you both at Ford Street and the Grammar school. I like both those girls very much.

We popped in to your Ma’s on the way up home – just to say I hadn’t any photo of you that was suitable, and your Mother gave Moué a lovely big Polarbear night dress case which Moué had admired in the shop. Moué was very thrilled with it, and kept asking me if she’d sounded grateful enough.

Your Mother said “now poor Kathleen hasn’t got anything.” I replied “I’ve got your son, and that’s better than any old Polarbear.” Aint I getting daring? You see, there will soon be no holding me down.

Well light of my life, we must go to Ilkley one evening and I am going to take my evening frock out of the moth balls. But fortunately, unless Mum has been snooping around, they are only proverbial Mother balls?

I am going to wash my hair today so as I will be beautiful for Thursday. You see, I am still an optimist.

Darling I am getting very cold, so I will now go over to the fire to get warmed up. But please remember that my heart is still extremely warm and is manufacturing at a terrific speed kisses, cuddles and caresses for you, Kay.