Postmarked YORK 8.45pm 19 NOV 1939
addressed to Lieut. R. Helme, A coy, 1/6th D.W.R., Church House, Norton, Malton, Yorks
The Institute of Agriculture, Askham Bryan, Nr. York
Sunday.
My dearest Ronald,
Alas, I have just been into Askham Bryan, and have wasted ninepence on phoning the number you gave me. The chappy blethered something about you being in A Coy, and gave me another number which I promptly forgot. And I simply afford another ninepence when I wasn’t sure of getting you even then. I’m very disappointed as I was looking forward to hearing your dear voice. If I knew you were going to be in I could go down in the evening someday, but I shall be seeing you very soon now anyway.
How I long for it. Less than a week to wait now.
Recent events have made me all the more eager to get away from here. Joan threw a terrible temperamental fit last night, and actually packed her bag to go home. Fortunately I was not the butt of her wrath this time, and it was the matron she chose to insult. Anyway, she’s still here – and I’m still here, and very glad I shant be for long. Honey, you think I’m tempery, but you aint seen nothin! I am very calm and even tempered in comparison with Joan, and she positively overpowers me.
Yesterday afternoon I went into York with Angela and Heather. We went to the Odeon to see “Three Smart Girls Grow Up”, which was quite good. Then we did a bit of shopping, and had tea in Betty’s.
This morning I went to York Minster on my own, being heartily sick of all and sundry – and had a lovely morning. The sermon wasn’t good but the atmosphere and the singing is so beautiful that it did me good. I came out at quarter to twelve, and went to Penn House, Bootham where the W.A.T.S. are, to speak to Elizabeth. Unfortunately she is home on leave – so I wont see her now. I was feeling somewhat cold and peckish, so I popped into a little tea shop for a cup of Horlicks and a chocolate biscuit. I arrived back here in good time for lunch.
This afternoon Betty and I walked to Askham, and phoned you as I’ve already said, and from there to the road house to buy some biscuits. Apart from you, Angel, I think of nothing but my tummy! I wonder if you’ll notice an increase in my girth. It certainly hasn’t gone where I wanted it to, anyway. (The fat of course)
Mummy will be in Glasgow now, the lamb. I have yet to write to her. She is quite prepared for an engagement – so I hope you are. Well, I know you are.
I wish it was Friday. I’d be all set to go now. You’ll have to look your very best dear, because I have a big hunch there will be an audience when you call for me. I thought everyone would be working, but anyone who wishes can go home for the weekend before the second month, so those who are staying in wont be working.
You look decidedly nice in your greatcoat; and trim your moustache and clean your shoes – and take salts on Friday morning!
I am so agog with love that I am about to pitch myself out of the window.
I am going to wash my hair tonight so that it will be just right for Saturday. I’m also going to indulge in a bath, but don’t go thinking that’s for Saturday too. No, I shall need a lot of baths this week as we will be doing pigs in the afternoons. A horrible thought, but Moué would love it. I hear that the smell is ten times worse than cow. We’ll be in the dairy in the mornings which is a nice clean job – and we don’t start till eight o’clock.
Well sweet boy, I must go for my tea (tummy again) I’ll write tomorrow. All my love, Kathleen.