Numbered 112. Postmarked Kilconquhar Fife 6pm 2? AU 39
addressed to R. Helme Esq., 34, Albert Road, Colne, Lancashire
The Manse, Kilconquhar, Fife.
28th August.
My darling Ronnie,
Your letter today was very welcome and it was a great deal nicer that your Saturday’s one. I’m afraid you will have something to say about the mouldy note you received from me today, but I beseech you to take into consideration the fact that I was definitely not well on Saturday and had only a minute in which to write to you.
I am in bed at the minute, but shall be getting up this afternoon. I am ever so much better, and was up for the evening meal last night. I know you think I’m a sausage, and you are not far wrong. I can’t imagine why I should have suddenly become groggy.
I am frightfully upset about the golf lessons. I had to put today’s off, and as the general opinion was that I wouldn’t be fit tomorrow, I have put tomorrow’s off too. I know you will be very disappointed, and I hate the thought of that, but when Marj and Adéle were down, they got me a capture ball at my request; and I promise you I shall practice terribly hard in the garden when I get home. You have it in writing!
Which reminds me, I haven’t ‘been’ yet this morning. It seems such a long way from here! I guess I just can’t be bothered. And fancy, it is nearly twelve!
I like your ‘Inside Information” and Mummy insisted on showing to Dad who chuckled and said, “He’s a great boy!” or words to that affect or effect – whichever it is.
Keep up your prestige dear boy, because it is without doubt good just now (of course, prestige can’t be good can it?) Mum showed Dad your letter of thanks and he said that both those boys (Bill and you) seemed to be able to write a good letter. Also, Mum says it was a very good idea of yours to thank Dad for taking us in the car the last day or two. Dad seemed bucked at that. I said you were a diplomat. Look at the way you brought Granny flowers when she was ill. Look at the way you get round me after a quarrel. You old schemer.
I’m sure you can’t read this terrible writing. You must always be torn between the love of hearing from me, and the horror of deciphering my scrawl, and trying to keep yourself from being sick at my vile spelling. Poor dear Ronald.
I am so glad things are looking brighter now, and have even dared to meditate upon the style and colour of my next winter’s evening frock. I think I’ll have a ready-made. Don’t write back and say we aren’t going to dances. I insist upon you going to some – just one or two as we did last year. It would be an insult to our love if we didn’t go to Ilkley. I have a big hunch it’s going to be in the hotel this time.
Oh darn it! (Did you think I was going to say “Oh Darling. Well, I mean that always) A wasp has come into the room. I had at least six in yesterday, and I kept calling for Adéle to come and slosh them for me.
On Saturday afternoon we had some thunder and very heavy rain. Fortunately , the thunder didn’t get very close, but what with it, the heat, my sore head and swollen glands, your somewhat mouldy letter and the international situation, I was in the very depths of despair. I wept bitterly.
The others went off for a run, and Mum stayed to keep me company. The electricity went off, and we couldn’t get a cup of tea till it went on again.
I don’t think I have mentioned that John came up here on Friday. How did you know he was in Colne? He arrived at about seven on Friday morning, and set off north at ten to eleven – so he certainly wasn’t there long.
Marjory had a fine time in Edinburgh, and came home full of all she had been doing and seeing.
She liked ‘the parents’ very much, and Bill said she had made a hit with the old man! She enjoyed the tennis, which seemed more of a show than anything else. Budge is very ugly, and makes funny remarks all the time.
I’m sure you will be thinking this is too newsy, you old swell. If its too short, if its too newsy. But damn it, I love you inspite of your exacting ways!
Please don’t write on both sides of your notepaper. I have finally decided it is difficult to read. Anyway you’ll only have one more letter to write when you receive this. No, don’t write on Wednesday, because I shall probably set off early. That is if I go by train. Marj seems to want to go in the hopes of seeing Bill an hour. And it would be silly for us both to go, as we have plenty of room in the car. She’d just have to look after Prince. I’ll let you know when I know myself, which will probably be at the last minute.
Well, beloved, I think I shall pause to ‘go’ and then to have a wee snooze before lunch.
…. I have now had my snooze and my lunch. Can’t you see that my writing is firmer now? Hem, hem!
We are very glad Moué has got school out and it was good of you to send such a charming message of congratulations. I gave it to her, and she thanks you. You are very sweet, aren’t you? Mum sends her love by the way. She said yesterday “I should think he’s a very affectionate boy.” She actually rolled your gansie or gansey or gansy up and put it in my bed with me last night!
The wireless was left on for my benefit during dinner, and there was some lovely music on from Sweden. It was a selection of old dance tunes, and they were played beautifully; Sweet Sue, Whispering, Dinah, and lots of others. My feet were jigging about in bed. I could just see myself dancing round the floor with a dear fat boy with soft brown eyes, and lustrous hair with golden light in it… Then believe me, if they didn’t fade it out in the middle of ‘Dinah’. And then I was miles away – and then I came back with a terrible plonk.
Ooh, I am going to have some fun with this captive ball. Sorry I should say I’m going to have some hard work. It looks most intriguing.
Now about seeing me, treasure. I have no idea when I shall be home. If I come on the train we’ll probably catch the one you caught as it’s the best one. If I came by car, I don’t know when I’ll be back. Anyway treasureable one, I shall phone as soon as I get home. That is to say if it isn’t in your office hours. We shall probably go to the flicks on Friday night, as I have all day to get Prince ready. (By the by, he is nodding badly again, and there is no chance of getting anything. I guess.
Adéle sends her ‘regards’ to you. She is in here guzzling toffees. She insists on me changing it to kind regards.
Sad news. Sunni has lost another tooth – a front one: the last on one side. We’ll have to get him false ones now.
Which reminds me dear, I would like you to go to the dentist before you go to camp. I expect you’ll say you haven’t time. Well please try to have time. And if it is quite impossible, you simply must go as soon as you get back. You must preserve your teeth as I far prefer a kiss with real teeth in the mouth than one with false or none at all Just think of it! I must go to see Mr Ross very soon too. I must practice what I preach.
Well, I’ll get someone to post this for me now beloved. If you know what I’ve been blethering about you’re wonderful. And as I’ve told you often – you’re wonderful anyway. And I do adore you, and I’m just longing to see you. Tuesday Wednesday – then Thursday. Whoopee!!!!!
Give my love to your mother, and keep a whole heap of love, kisses, cuddles and caresses for your own big soft self.
Yours aye, Kathleen P.S. Yes. We’ll go to the flicks on Friday – if you agree.