Numbered 115. Postmarked COLNE LANCS 7.15pm 3 Sep 1939
addressed to Lieutenant R.Helme, “The Seven Stars”, Barnoldswick, Yorks
The Study, Three O’Clockish
Dearest Ronald,
My heart is so full of love for you that I simply have to write. Now that war has definitely come, I want you even more than I have ever wanted you before; and that is saying something. My mind is completely filled with the thought of you; and I have just now only one fear, the fear of being separated from you.
But I know that wherever you have to go, you will come back to me. We are destined to live with and for each other. There is not one small doubt left in my mind that you are the man I love – and you will always be.
Dearest, last night meant so much to me, and I wish it could have lasted for ever. I never have enough of you, and always want more and more and more of your company. All day I have been thinking of last night, and the dearness of you. I kept wakening in the night to see you in my minds eye, in your blue uniform. And then I kept thinking “There can’t be a war.” But now that there must be, I shall be brave, because it says somewhere in the Bible that love can know no fear.
I belong to you and wherever you go you take my soul with you. You have it with you now at the Seven Stars, at the Drill Hall, or wherever you may be at the minute.
Prescious one, I hope you will have time to read this. I know you will be terribly busy. Barlick seems so far away, and yet it is so near. Please don’t let it be long till I see you again. When you are away from me, there is a great lump in my throat, and tears just behind my eyes. I am doing my best to keep them from spilling over, though I found it hard in church this morning. I wanted to see you there in your own pew with your mother. Everything as it used to be.
If you have anytime free at all – even half an hour, please let me know, and I shall come to Barlick anyhow, anyway – car, bus, bicycle, cart, wheelbarrow. Just anything to see your dear face, and to kiss you again. I might even do it on horseback. Darling, if there is anything I can do for you – any little thing, I will, willingly.
You are all the world to me, and I live only to see you again. And so it will always be. Every beat of my heart is for you. For you I shall be brave and strong. For you I shall save my body and soul.
With all the love that it is possible for one person to give to another.
Yours always, Kathleen P.T.O.
P.S. Another line to thank you so much for ‘phoning. Darling you’re the most thoughtful boy, and how I love you. Tuesday is a long way off, but I shall live for it. I think I’ll take Prince for a walk now. I love you, K