Postmarked COLNE LANCS 8PM 2 JAN 1939
addressed to Lieut. R.Helme, D.W.R., Church House, Norton, Malton. Yorks.
Albert House, Colne, Lancs.
2nd Jan
My darling Ronald,
The coat arrived back today. I am very sorry it was twenty sizes too small, but I can quite believe it! Maybe he will be OK without a coat while he is in Malton, but I want him to have one anyway; but I shall wait till he comes home, and will perhaps make it myself.
Well Sweetheart, I must apologize for my scrap yesterday, and try and remember what I wanted to tell you and didn’t. Now let me see, what did I do on Sunday? Nothing apart from going to Church with Moué and Mum in the morning. I just frazzled by the fire most of the time, and stayed up to bring in the New Year quietly in the bosom of my own family.
At about twenty past twelve when the New Year was but a tiny infant, I went into the surgery to phone my beloved fiancé. Alas, he had retired to bed, and I was very disappointed. I thought you might give me a call in return last night – but no.
But I know you love me because you have told me a thousand times in word, and deed. In fact by looks as well. I adore you, and am feeling very lonely but not unloved, and I wish you were here in the Club with me. There is already fire on, and we would most certainly be alone as Dad has gone to Burnley, Marj and Moué are out and Mum is going up to rest soon. No I make a mistake. Dad is not going to Burnley. He has just come in.
Yesterday, I spent the day in preparing for the party. I lost my second best evening frock and I was in a terrible stew. I hunted high and low – literally. At last Mum found it in some queer place.
The party was a great success – although I says it: Every one seemed to enjoy it, and didn’t start going home till two o’clock. Mr and Mrs Rankin, Mr and Mrs Richard Sagar, Dr and Mrs Alexander, Miss Casserley, Mr Leslie and Mr Foulds were the guests. We played a lot of silly games, and had some of them in stitches. You can imagine Matron weeping with mirth. She said it was the best party she had been to since she came to Colne, so it can’t have been so bad. The table decoration was superb – chiefly Mum’s effort, just a little of mine. All tinsel and scarlet shiney paper. It would take to much explaining, and as you are a man it would be useless.
Darling, I wish you had been there. Every now and then, I kept going off into a quarm – or whatever it’s called – thinking of you and wanting you beside me.
You are a treasure, and I do miss you. I wish it was last week at this time. We would be in Fleetwood now. It is quarter past five. You would probably be teasing me at this minute, and I would be rising to the bate most beautifully – I mean bait. What a speller. You see I am entirely original.
Mummy has gone up to bed, and Dad has popped off to sleep in his chair. I wish he would turn into you. But he is very nearly snoring, and I couldn’t have you doing that. Oh prescious hurry back to me. I long to squeeze you.
Yes, I do think we get on better than we used to – heaps. It is just your extreme touchiness and my stupidity which occasionally ruffles the smooth surface of things, but this will all fade when we are married – I know. Probably before. Of course, I have a temper I know that, but it only jumps out when you really hurt me; and there is one thing I hate and detest being told, and if you ever say it again I shall make no attempt to control myself. That is “We don’t get on. We’d better call it off.” And such absurd remarks. I know – and you know really, that we are meant for each other, and one without the other is a sick hen, a wash out, a complete flop. Apart we are of little importance, together we are superb. I am yours and you are mine – and you know how incomplete we feel without each other. Now that you are gone again, I feel that only half of me is here. We are very necessary to each other mentally and physically; and I am not just burbling. You have no idea how convinced I am. I used to be ambitious and creative. Now my big ambition is you my Angel Boy, and my creative powers will concentrate upon the creation of a home with you, and some sweet little Helmes with brown eyes and cleft noses.
I hope I shan’t hen peck you treasure, but you are such a helpless boy sometimes, you will always know I love you, for “when you are old and grey, and full of sleep,” I shall still tell you so.
To return to the present – though it pains me to do so, I am amused by the sleeves in the vests. You have given me the lead. I shall be able to wear built up shoulders in my vests. Not very likely. My personal pride would not allow me. But these vests will keep you nice and warm.
I shall soon have finished your gloves – and I think they are going to look very nice. Then I am going to knit you something else which should keep you nice and warm, but I am not telling you what it is. I’ll send the gloves in a day or two with the helmet – which will probably be too small, and some Silverkisses, which I haven’t yet been able to afford!
Goodnight beloved.
Kisses, cuddles and caresses, Kathleen.
Prescious, here I am again. I went and forgot to mention what concerns me a great deal! Your cold. How is it? I am really worried about your cough, and beseech you to take care of yourself. As soon as you have finished your medicine get some more, and take regularly. Wear my pullover this vile weather – and the scarf, and wrap yourself in my love which is chill proof.
All my love Kay.
