Postmarked COLNE LANCS 7.15PM 21 JAN 1940
addressed to Lieut. R. Helme, D.W.R., Church House, Norton, Malton, Yorks
Albert House, Colne, Lancs.
Sunday
Darling,
Either your Guardian Angel is a poor one, or he is ill too. Or more probable still, your Angel tried to tell me you were ill and I didn’t quite understand. Anyway, I am very, very sorry you are ill, and only wish I had heard on Friday, and then I could have cheered you up in your sick bed on Saturday. My dearest treasure, I do hope you are better now – well nearly better anyway. As for the measles, well really, I’d rather you didn’t have measles, and if you must have measles, please have German ones – even though it does seem unpatriotic. I don’t want you to work any twists anyway.
The weekend leave is a good idea. Do you think it will be possible to get home this next weekend. Honey, it would be lovely. I am just longing to see you. It seems years since I kissed your dear lips, and oh dear, I’m just mad about you.
Do be well in time, but don’t get up before you should. I do want to know just what’s wrong with you. I have been wondering about it all weekend, and wait with impatience for your letter tomorrow. Has he measles? Has he Still got a temp? What is it? Is he feeling really ill? ??? And so it goes on.
I would have ‘phoned yesterday, but I doubted whether anyone would have been able to tell me, as no one seems to know anything much about anyone else. Well, I could speak to Geoff. Anyway it will soon be tomorrow, and then I shall hear about you.
Confound it. We have to go to Dicky Robertson’s tonight. Am I sick about it? I certainly am. I just don’t want to go one scrap, and I suppose the thing will go on and on into the morning. I shall not stay later than twelve. Dash it, the beastly thing starts at six. We’ve to get there by ‘bus, which is another curse, and all together I’m sick about it. Still, it will save us form having to go next week – or the week after whichever it is to be.
Mum, Bill, Moué and I were at Church this morning and MacVicar preached quite a good sermon – on devine delay. Really quite comforting Why God delays in answering one’s prayers, and how he does answer them if one keeps praying.
I have finished the helmet except for a small piece that has to be added after, and I have run out of wool. I think you will like this one. I have now started to knit myself a vest. I have decided to wait until you come home before I continue with your waistcoat thing, as I am not so sure about it. The vest is a new idea. I am going to knit my own vests and knickers because I think they are more satisfactory: fit the figure better and keep their size and shape. You see I have to think about looking nice in my underwear now.
I am sitting by the Club fire. Gee, isn’t it terrible weather. It seems to be the coldest winter we’ve had for years. I do hope you are warm enough in bed darling? I think I’ll come over, and if you’ll keep my body warm, I’ll keep your hands warm.
Yes, Michael was here the other night. Fancy me not mentioning him. So was Catherine – and Michael is expecting to be sent for by the Air Force soon now. You know he is wanting to be a pilot?
Males is at home just now, and was in here this morning, but I didn’t speak to him. I avoided going into the kitchen, as once you are in it is difficult to get out again.
There is a corporation concert on tonight – the orchestra and Robert Naylor. I wish I was going there instead of to Dicky’s. Oh Blast!
Precious, wouldn’t it be nice if you got home next weekend. I am hoping and hoping and hoping. If I can get hold of Marj before I post this letter I’ll get some petrol coupons for you, and if she hasn’t come in, I’ll sent them on in plenty of tie. I am all of a hoo ha at the thought of seeing you.
John and Daphne went up to Sam’s for dinner last night, and Elizabeth gave them a very good meal evidentially. She certainly is capable. Sam told John that Michaely – the very nice Italian-American who was with them last year, and who was down here once or twice – died in October. Sam only heard recently through another American friend. He died of a heart attack three weeks after he got back to America. We think he had T.B. He was such a nice boy, it has quite upset us.
If you come home on Friday, I wonder if you’ll be well enough to go to that dance, or if you will want to go. I shall do just what suits you darling, and if you feel the least bit ill we will definitely not go. If you are coming I shall have to wash my hair on the morrow so as it will be nice for you.
Yesterday morning Bill and Marj. asked me to go to Foulridge reservoir with them to see if it was any good for skating. We went, and I walked them round the res. and home by Red Lane, and they were too tired to skate in the afternoon! Feeble people.
In the afternoon, I went down to Mr Foulds’ mill to get some oddments for an appliqué picture I am going to do someday. He gave me a dozen nice little hankies too.
In the evening Moué and I went to see George Formby in “No Limit” at the Hipp, and having clean forgotten I’d seen it before. Not very thrilling for the second time.
I grow very sleepy by the fire and my Sunday dinner weighs heavily upon me. I wish you were here to love me. The wee settee is drawn up in front of the fire – all inviting. Still, very soon. Oooh, I can hardly wait to see you dear big self again. If its German Measles will you be able to come home. I am all of a dither waiting to hear from you. Let it be Monday soon, and then I’ll know where we stand.
Beloved I do hope you are feeling better today, and better still when this reaches you. All the same, I would like to come and nurse you. Someday –
Goodbye for now my darling, and hurry home to me.
All my love, Kathleen.