No: 19

Maycot

1.2.40

Dearest, Thank you so much for yours No:21 which I received yesterday, and from which I see that you safely received the scarf. Yes darling, I will certainly make you a nice thick one in khaki, though you may not get it for some little time; however as you intend receiving it for “smarter” days, this won’t matter.

I was very glad to heat that you are quite fit once more and I do hope it is not quite as cold now.

As you ask for Jill’s little sayings some of them have been “I am missing my Daddy so”, “If I don’t write to him he’ll sob his little heart out”, “When Daddy comes home he’ll say ‘Is that big girl my little Jill?’” and the other night, “”Perhaps Daddy better not kiss me now I’m getting such a big girl”.

On Tuesday this week Jill and I entertained Sergeant Ascolie to tea; we were very pleased to see him and we chatted solidly for about two hours. It was so nice…

…to have direct news of you and also to gain a better idea of the kind of place you are staying in. I thought he looked very fit indeed and he was obviously very glad to be over here once more. He described to me the beds you has contrived in your billet and was very impressed with your pains. From what he said (though of course, it does not surprise me) I gather you are very popular and a constant source of amusement to the men.

Jill was a scream with him and was the perfect hostess, constantly heaping food on to his plate and now and again making polite remarks such as “What are the names of your little boys?” I think he was rather taken with her, though a little overwhelmed when in answer to his question as to what message he should take back to you from her, she replied, “Kiss him for me!”

You’ll be glad to hear that Vic seems to be making good progress now; I hope to see Tris again soon.

Although I don’t know definitely,…

…I imagine Spencer Lewis was killed in action. As you will remember he was operating on the East Coast.

I am so glad you were able to see a Concert Party and I loved the joke you mentioned.

We’re all snowed up now to a depth of 8 inches and Jill and I have not been for a walk for over a fortnight. Fortunately my household water supply has not frozen off again, as had Mrs. Davis’s, though several other houses in the road are without water. The authorities have placed a stand-pipe outside the vicarage.

Coal deliveries have been very much held up and coal I ordered last week only arrived today. However I was able to manage thanks to Wyn and her boss as she brought along (through her boss) a large bag of coal nuts and also I had the logs she so kindly procured for me. Some people down Fox Hill have been waiting for deliveries for nearly a fortnight.

On Sunday night there were 8ft drifts of snow at Biggin Hill…

…and the road was impassable. I don’t know whether I mentioned it in my last letter but Payne the sweep has been doing his rounds with all his equipment loaded on a very posh sleigh. I also hear that in Welling the milk is delivered by sleigh. I personally think it has been warmer today, so perhaps this cold spell is coming to a close.

I incidentally, though I don’t think its general knowledge, I think the Hines are installing (or intend to) Aunt Beth in Gorse Cottage shortly. She herself is a dear little soul but I don’t much relish the idea of Pat running in and out during the summer and intruding on our privacy in the garden. Not that I intend to take much notice of her.

I had a nice letter from mother this morning and she was so sorry you had had ‘flu’. She herself is better and says Dad seems to be keeping well.

Darling, I hope you thanked Auntie…

…Polly for the biscuits and also Mr. Wood for the sweets.

Well dearest, no more news now. I am longing to hear the date of your leave and Darling, it is awfully sweet of you to think of my hair (actually I’ve not bee to a hairdresser since August).

With all my love and a warm embrace,

Yours,

Terry.