21st Aug 1939

Numbered 105. Postmarked Elie Fife 21 AUG 39
addressed to R. Helme Esq., 34, Albert Road, Colne, Lancs

The Manse, Kilconquhar, Fife.

Sunday

My darling,

I can’t see how on earth this letter can reach you tomorrow, as there isn’t a delivery – I mean a collection even in Elie I believe and the car will not be back here till late. So it looks as if you are going to be very disappointed in the morning! I can’t see how on earth I can get it posted today. Oh dear, I should have written to you yesterday.

Daddy and Mr Foulds have gone off to Cuiff(*) Gleneagles and district, and Marjor and Bill have gone to Balmoral – or rather, they are heading that way. The others including Granny have gone to church, and somehow or other, I am here alone except for the dogs, which are actually behaving themselves at the minute.

Whether the dog book was a pound or a penny I must thank you very much for it. You are a dear, sweet, kind boy, and I have already derived great pleasure from it. But as you have probably read it yourself, I shall not be able to swank about the knowledge I have gained from it! You’ll say, “Yes, I know. I’ve read it!”

I have read the paper cutting with great care, and find it very obvious. Thousands of people say the same thing, and thousands of people are right, and thousands of people are wrong – because thousands of people have never been in love. I could say I wanted to meet plenty of men, to be taken out by plenty of men, if I did it just know that the right one had come already. Many women simply can’t find the right man – and that’s just bad luck.  When she likes Him, He doesn’t like Her. When He likes Her, She doesn’t like Him. Not enough to marry, anyway. There are no hard and fast rules for love. Love is entirely individual.  And love is miles appart from like. I like heaps of boys and like talking to them (sometimes to your annoyance) but I would hate to kiss them, and it wouldn’t be any thrill to hold their hands!  And I know you like lots of girls, but apart from Elizabeth Bugner and Louise Rainer, you wouldn’t marry them!

I love you, and that’s all there is to it.

I am enclosing the neg. and the photo (if I remember) and I would like the photo back as soon as poss. as it is Marj’s. I thought, as you spoke of an enlargement that I’d just send the neg to you, and the print just to let you see if you think it’s good enough.  Moué’s film isn’t developed yet’ and Mr Foulds sends his to Johnny Flarner(*) so they wont be ready for a bit, as I doubt whether he’s sent any yet.

I went riding yesterday morning, and I had a very good ride – on a much better horse this time. I had a splendid canter round the track. There were three girls out at the same time. School girls. Two of them were quite good riders, but the third was just learning and stayed with the instructor most of the time.

In the afternoon, Bill, Marj, Adéle and I went to St. Andrews to watch the tennis finals, and were nearly frozen stiff. But the play was good. I.G.Collins (that’s supposed to be Collins) beat Morton in the men’s singles and Mrs Ellis (Lizana that was) beat Mrs Robertson in the womens singles. It must have been hot playing, but it certainly wasn’t hot watching… We were home for tea at about quarter past six, and spent the evening indoors as it became very misty and damp.

I went to Tom Reibie(*) on Friday evening and he is very very busy, but I am having a lesson on Thursday at six and one on Friday at half past. That’s the best he can do.  He is lending me a wood. I’m afraid I can’t afford ten lessons and I doubt whether he’d be able to fit them in anyway, but I’ll have as many as I can. Unfortunately although I hadn’t been keen to go to the tennis, and it was arranged for me when I was riding, and I had to pay my share. And three and six is three and six to me. Actually I believe it was three bob.

But honey, inspite of all these many troubles I’ll be a golfer yet. Well, I’ll be just good enough to play with you now and again. But of course, I can’t I fear, be nearly, nearly as good as you are. Still I don’t think I’d like to be really. I like to feel you are my superior – though not in everything of course. For instance, I can part hair, squeeze blackheads, clean shoes, make beds, press suits, wash and starch dress ties to perfection and what is more wonderful than anything, I can tie them!

So you see, I’m afraid, you simply must marry me as I am so useful; and even if I can’t cook, I can open tins! And I’m always cheery at the breakfast table. I even sing before breakfast – quietly, of course.

To come down to earth again, (I was visualizing a charming early morning scene.) I’m sorry to hear about John Hausfall’s face, but if it doesn’t spoil his beauty, it is not so bad. You must certainly ask him for some wool, but I suppose you’ll have to pay for it just the same. No, on second thoughts, don’t. Not yet, anyway, as I haven’t got a pattern, and don’t know the amount and type of wool I want yet. If it is to be a success, it must be done scientifically , so leave it for now.

My writing and spelling get better don’t they? Why do you love such a stupid who writes as if she had only been at school for a year or so?

Oh how I love you, dear. How I wish you were here to cuddle me on the couch. The house is so quiet now. Only about ten more days now. I think you will have to take me to camp with you. Just tell the Colonel that you simply can’t go without me. He’ll understand – maybe!?

Give my love to your Mother. And keep a whole heap for your darling self.

Always yours, Kathleen

P.S. Oh darling, I’m mad, mad, mad.  I have just torn up an envelope that had both the neg and the photo in. Oh dear, I could cry. And it was so nice. I’ve tried to stick the print up and enclose it. I guess you can keep it now. Could the neg possibly be any good with a tear right through the middle. I’ll ask Mr Foulds. Perhaps Hornes(*) could do something with it. Oh, dear, I’m even crazier than you must think I am. But perhaps Moué’s photo will be a good one. Oh honey, why aren’t you here to let me weep on you. I’m an ass (underlined multiple times)