No. 11

Maycot

Dearest,

Very many thanks for your No:15 which I received yesterday. I was so glad to hear you managed to have a good Christmas.

It must be a relief to know you are more or less permanently billeted at a particular spot now. It certainly sounds fairly good and I hope you will manage to be comfortable and warm. I can’t imaging what the weather must be like with you, here it’s bad enough. For the last week we’ve had very heavy frosts (which cover the Common and the rooftops like snow) which do not melt all day.

Fortunately for us, Wyn asked Hugh to bring over an old oil lamp which I keep in the bathroom. I light it first thing in the morning so that the bathroom is warm for washing purposes, and then again before Jill’s bath. It does make a difference!

I was very interested in your midnight adventure with the three frenchmen whose car came to grief. I don’t however like to think that you miss any of your sleep, and further, in the interest of promotion I think you should be careful not to do anything…

…too irregular.

I can quite appreciate, however, that it provided a very refreshing interlude.

Wyn and I have got a “happiness and satisfaction” campaign on and are determined to be optimistic and cheerful no matter what happens. Wyn is a very good friend to me and she assures me she derives as much benefit from our association as I do. She is certainly very happy.

She gave Edie a Christmas present, as a result of which Edie sent her a note suggesting they “bury the hatchet!” Therefore we both went in for a little while on New Year’s Eve, but we came back to the cottage to see the New Year in.

Wyn exclaimed she was heartily glad to be back with me and that she had definitely come to the conclusion she could never tolerate the Hines atmosphere of catty elitism and absurd attitude to war any more.

She remarked that since she had been living here she realized she was free to think as she chose and her opinions were not dominated or influenced by anyone else’s.

Incidentally, whilst we were in Keston Cottage Pat endeavored to snub us both, so Wyn completely ignored her. I personally felt anything but happy…

…in there, and will not go out of my way again to go in there.

My instinct (which I have never known to fail) tells me they are very disloyal to us, and it came to my knowledge quite accidentally that when Pier was going to show his cine-films in there he said “Shall we get Terry in” to which Pat hastily said “Oh, she’s seen them all” knowing full when I never have seen any of them!

However, darling, it doesn’t really matter, but I hate to feel people can be so two-faced when they’ve professed such friendship for us. Except for a brief salutation darling, I’m not going to spare you to them for one moment when you come home even though, as is usual, their attitude suddenly becomes very friendly.

I have asked Tris to come over to tea with me soon, and I’m hoping she’ll come over next week.

I heard from Jerry this morning acknowledging the rent and in response to my remark that I would, when possible, appreciate any reduction they could make. She says that she will do so as soon as they’ve managed to let Gorse Cottage. Meanwhile…

…they are paying the water rate for me. We must be thankful for small mercies and, anyway, I’ve elicited a promise of a reduction.

This morning the removal men came to take away the rest of their furniture which is going to be stored.

This afternoon Jill went to a Christmas Party as the Village Hall given by the Women’s Institute. Kathleen Biggs and Brian took her and she went off in great glee. Whilst she was out I put her little red house boots (Christmas present from Wyn) to warm by the fire. When I occasionally looked at them it amused to think that the little “miss” had taken herself off to a party.

Before she went I playfully pretended to be a little upset that I couldn’t go too, but she informed me she was very sorry and also that she wouldn’t be able to tell me anything about it as it was a secret!

However, on her return she looked tired but very happy and did not stop talking about it for about half an hour. She evidently had a lovely time and I feel it does her good to mix with other children.

In the midst of her descriptions of the party, she suddenly…

got up and switched on the wireless, remarking “You must be sick of my party, we’d better have some wireless.”!

(Incidentally when describing anything, she’s got into a little habit of using her hands and arms to give a better idea, and it’s rather ducky and amusing sometimes.)

With the exception of the family aforementioned in this letter, I find everyone round here fantastically kind to me just now and I appreciate it very much.

I heard from Ellis this morning and he tells me that, by one month, he comes under the new “call-up”. He may come over here the 20th inst; he’s not been yet and I’d like him to see the cottage.

He always asks very kindly about you and expressed the hope that I would soon have you back with me.

Iris is now up in York where Eric is stationed and they intend to rent a furnished flat!

I do so hope, darling, that it will not be long before you are with me again. Meanwhile dearest all my love.

Yours,

Terry.

P.S. Jill and Wyn send lots of love.