No: 8
No: 15

Maycot
12 Commonside,
Keston,
Kent.

Sunday 17.12.39.

Darling,

There is still no news from you and it is 12 days since I received your No:11 dated 30th November. It seems a very long time and I’m afraid, with one thing and another, I feel a little depressed.

Gill has a very bad cold and the blasted chimney has started to smoke again. I had the cowl scraped soon after I returned in September, so I shall have to have the chimney swept, and I think I will have the cowl removed.

I’m sorry to start with a grouse as this is meant to be your Xmas letter but both Tris and Mrs Ascolie received their mail this week and I feel rather left out. Did you receive the scarlet helmet and the mittens? I am not sending to you a gift, as I do not know what to send. I know you are going to be well off for cigs from Mother, Dad, Jack and Joan, and I understand Edie has sent you a complete Xmas dinner. Also I posted you about 6lbs biscuits from Polly and Pier.

I wanted to have taken a photo of Jill with me but one had to wait in a queue at the reasonable shops a week ago and now it’s too late. Besides which Jill would not look her best with a bad cold. Will…

…you let me know some little thing you would like?

Jill and I won’t be spending Xmas here after all as Jack and Joan have invited us to spend it with them at 274 Dallas Hill Lane, into which they have just moved. It certainly won’t be lonely.

By the way, pertaining to the subject of mail, I think we ought to make it a rule to write to one another once a week irrespective of whether we hear or not; I’m taking it darling that you have written and that it’s just gone astray. Of course if I hear from you more than once a week I will reply.

I went to the Gaumont with Iris on Friday evening, the pictures were not particularly good, but it was quite nice spending the time with her. Eric has been in York with his unit for three weeks now and he hopes to be home sometime around Xmas, after which Iris will go back to York with him and stay until he leaves the country.

Have you any more news of leave yet? Jill often says very sanely that she wishes you’d come soon. I won’t dwell on my feelings in the matter.

By the way, Vic has now received some of his parcels and letters. He won’t be home for Xmas as he has to stay in Hospital until the end of January.

Incidentally, I heard via Mrs Ascolie that you were quite well as her husband had written that you had made yourself a bed and chest of drawers or something. I thought it sounded just like you!

I met Jack Morgan in Bromley on Saturday afternoon (he was up on a business matter)—he asked after you and was pleased to see me, but I was a little surprised (?) when he asked me if I had given up my job. The is once of many confirmations that you can’t trust the Hines with anything. So please take note. Of course you may feel differently about them but I’m disgusted with them.

Incidentally, Wyn has not yet made it up with Eli, as she feels she could not under any circumstances tolerate Pat.

I can’t think of any more news now.

I also hope, Darling, you will have as happy a Christmas as possible. I shall think of you constantly, Meanwhile I look forward to hearing from you.

With all my love.

Yours,

Terry.