19th Jan 1940

Postmarked COLNE LANCS 8PM 19 JAN 1940
addressed to Lieut. R. Helme, D.W.R., Church House, Norton, Malton. Yorks.

Albert House, Colne.

19^th Jan. Friday

My dearest Ronald,

Back to the old typing paper because I haven’t paid a visit to Woolworth’s yet. I haven’t very long my treasure as Moué wants me to go up to the Church with her as it gives her the willies to be up there by herself.

Bill has arrived complete with dark growth on the upper lip, and I don’t think I like it much at all. He is otherwise the same as ever. We have now got a very full house, and Marjory is sleeping in our room in a small collapsible bed leant by the Rankins. It is like a bally dormitory three beds in a row. My bed is nearly out the window.

I had a terrible rush getting the parcel ready in time for the post. At least, I thought the post went at 6.30 still, and after having nearly bust myself, I find it is now seven o’clock again. Afraid it isn’t an elegant parcel, nor are the hankies well ironed, but they will do to blow your sweet nose on – inspite of flaws etc.

I heard from Angela this morning – a very amusing letter as usual. She is trying to get a Land Army job down South. She tells me one of the men is to leave the Askham Bryan poultry section in March, so there will be a vacancy. One of the girls is already working there. I rather fancy the job, as I know the place and the instructor. Also the hours are better than general farm hours 7.30, an hour for lunch – finish at 5. Do you think I might apply for the job? I’d rather have a job of my own choosing than of theirs. And in this job there’d be no farmers wife to cope with. This girl is in digs on the farm land.

A very cut and dried and unromantic letter, you will be thinking dear boy. Well, I assure you I don’t find myself being unromantic over you – ever. I have just been squeezing you in my imagination and whooping out “A fortnight today!” So I shall be worse next week, and unbearable the day or two before you come.

Beloved boy, when I look upon John and Daphne I think in a very superior way that we are a much nicer less stupid couple than they. The way they muck around in public. I just don’t like that sort of thing. Moué says “You and Ronnie are ever so much nicer together. You’re just right. You don’t maul(?) each other as they do!”

Your helmet will soon be finished and I’m almost sure you’ll like this one. I am copying it, stitch by stitch from a pattern. Get rid of the other thing with all speed. If it wont do anyone as a helmet, the wife or mother can pick it out and make it into mittens or something. I don’t want to see the thing again.

Your mother has just been up with Marj’s new frock, and I answered the door. She looked very cold – and boy is it cold. It seems to be worse and I can’t help feeling glad you aren’t home this weekend. I doubt whether you’d have landed at all. I think some how, it will be good weather when you do come.

Moué and I went for a walk this afternoon, but we didn’t have time to go very far: up the fields and down the park. It was very invigorating though and we ran down the park with Prince jumping around like a mad thing.

I fear my pen is about to run out, and there is no ink up here.

John and Daphne will probably stay till Monday I think, and if you ask me anything, it will probably be Tuesday!

I’ve found another pen… We have been playing a good deal of ping pong lately, so will have to play when you are home – if we have anytime left over. I’ll see that the chinty’s are nice and clean so that you can lie on the old hump backed couch and go to sleep. Oh dear, fortnight flig!

I suppose you have still little idea how long you will be at Malton. It is rather disturbing not to know. If you were still there in March and I did happen to get that job, I would be able to see you just a little? Well anyway, we’ll see.

Oh darling, I wish we were married and settled down, but as time alone will grant this wish, I had better wish for something in the nearer future.

Moué has just said she thinks her jumper would fit you. I wonder what she means. It must be rather small for her!

I haven’t had a letter from you today, but as long as you are OK it’s OK. And I’m sure you are OK. Because if you weren’t, your guardian Angel would have flown over posthaste to tell me so. Unless, of course, she had taken ill too, but I don’t think Angels are ever ill – in which case, you, being and Angel Boy (outsize) will not be ill either. Very confused!

Beloved, it is time I went to the Reck with Moué I fear. I think I had better just pray for you while I am there.

Give my fondest (hem) greetings to Geoff and I hope he has recovered from the injections OK and give all my kisses, cuddles and caresses to my prescious big fiancé, Ronald Helme,

Yours aye,

Kathleen.