Monday, 27 February 2012

Margaret to Tom 27.2.42

Margaret to Tom 27.2.42

Would you believe it! it's the 27th already. Doesn't time fly?
We have just been paid "Oh, joyous day", said she breaking forth into song. But I shall not have that for long as I have to fetch my costume either tomorrow or Monday. I think I shall probably be able to get an hour off tomorrow if I make the time up and get it then. Then as Foyles is open until 6.00 on Saturdays & also during the week until that hour. anyway I have decided to spend Saturday afternoon there.
Thank you for your letter which has just arrived and for all the enclosures. Now I shall be able to get on with the good work.
No, I'm afraid I have not been working hard and studying all the nursing books I have at home. I have been very busy though. You see, all my mending, all my knitting and Shandy (the dog) takes up a good bit of my time nowadays. I can't think whatever we did when you were at home. The evenings simply fly. I have always got something to do, except work such as reading about nursing.
Well I have just arrived back from lunch and now I can settle down to this between working. I had to rush out just now again & buy Mr Bolt some cakes for tea today, as it is his Birthday.
To revert to the nursing. If I go in for Red Cross, I shall now have to give up some of my coupons for the uniform – just the indoor apron etc, but I do now know how many. I was talking to a girl who is doing this work at the sick bay across the road and she suggested I went into the civil nursing reserve which apparently only require an overall which is provided. Civil nursing is, of course, only practiced at the civilian hospitals , which might or might not be counted as war work. What do you think?
Are you running short of chocolate now? Because I have a little I can send you, but I have not been able to buy any this week.
This afternoon I am very busy, so I'm afraid this will be a very short letter.
I shall probably call to see your mother & father this evening. We have Ron;s letter to return and Nancy will be so mad if it is not returned by the time she arrives home this evening.
I shall look forward to hearing your voice on Sunday, if it is possible for you to phone. It brings us so near doesn't it?
Well, all my love, I hope the weather is fine for you to go walking this week end, so that you can come home with rosy cheeks – blossoms of spring to greet me the week after next,

Margaret

Sunday, 26 February 2012

Margaret to Tom 25.2.42

25.2.42

Thank you for your letter which arrived this morning. It is lovely to hear from you and know what you are doing, or have been doing. How about furnishing that cave and fixing it up with electric light before I come down at Easter?
Now I have several important things to tell you. The first is about my leave. Betty and I have discovered that it is impossible to leave any days over until next leave year so I shall have to take my day within the next months. My only suggestion to this is that I have the Saturday morning of the weekend you are home and save all that trouble of getting up early. What do you think about this? We could go out somewhere on that morning. I have just heard that we shall be getting the usual 12 days next leave year, plus an extra 4 days which should be taken separately Isn't that lovely, as of course I shall get 3 days special leave for marriage & any other leave can be taken without pay. So I don't think it will be too bad do you?
The second important thing I had to say is this – I have heard unofficially that it would be wise to buy your service wool through WVS as quickly as possible so the other day I went to WVS shop and obtained my voucher for the rest of the wool 12 oz. I should not be surprised if they stop this method of obtaining service wool. This unfortunately will run to about 9/-, but if I can deduct it from what I owe you I think I can manage.
I propose getting 8 oz of grey for socks and 4 oz of khaki which will be put with the other 4 I have and made into a pullover for you. If that is all right for you. If you would prefer to have khaki socks just let me know. And please say if you would like a long-sleeved pullover or short-sleeved. This, of course is looking ahead to next winter.
Wednesday evening
Please excuse the above scribble as that was written in about 2 minutes at the office today.
Today I went to Priors to have a look for shaving mirrors. They had none like you have at home and only those fixed to cabinets. Well now as these things might prove useless in our flat, do you think it worth while getting one or do you want one now very much. Really I am a a loss to know what to buy you as well as the book. Would you like some gramophone records? Or can you suggest something more useful? What about an alarm clock?
What do you think of the news at present. I wonder if this new cabinet will be doing things or whether it's the case of a new brook sweeps clean.
Princess Elizabeth seems to be colonel in chief of the Grenadiers now. I don't know what good that will do, do you?
Well last evening I went to Mrs Harding's flat. it's rather too large for them and their furniture looks somewhat lost. I like all this new furniture and it looked quite nice. They got out all the best crockery etc for me. Her mother is up from Rochester at present and looking round for a flat near here now. Evelyn showed me the lace which she wants to lend me. It did not look a hundred years old at all. it's dainty & fine. I expected it to fall to pieces in my hands. There are one or two holes which Evelyn is very annoyed about, but they won't show. She lent it to a friend who apparently was rather rough with it, and if I borrow it I shall have to be careful. By the way, you said you dreamt we were being married, and that you might have to wear dark glasses at the actual ceremony.
Well, as Nancy would say, if you think I can look as lovely at that you are sure to be wearing rose-coloured spectacles now and ever since you have known me.
I think I shall get an hour off on Saturday morning and go up to get my costume then. I rather want to go to Foyles or Bumpers if they are open on Saturday afternoon, and then I can look around and choose what I want with my book tokens. Shall I see if there is any credit due to you at the Ryp Van Winkle shop, it would make a cheap present for you. Did I tell you our office has bought the house next door. Yes we are growing more and more. It will make a difference for our fire watching, but when it will affect it is another matter. I don't suppose they will arrange anything definite until the end of the rota which is in May. We are fire watching next Tuesday, so we are going to celebrate Mr Davies's promotion. Do you know that it makes a difference of at aleast £7 a month? Isn't it lucky?
Well now what about your wireless set? I'm so glad you were successful & I hope by this time it can be heard through the loud speakers. You are certainly not wasting your time during this war. And no one can even say you wasted your time killing others. Mind you do not destroy yourself, you will be careful I know for my sake,
Well, all my love, hugs and kisses & everything,
Margaret

Saturday, 25 February 2012

Margaret to Tom 23.2.42

23.2.42

You have been busy, thank you for all the enclosures, and we did not have to pay excess on the packet.
It was lovely to hear you again last night, as I always say it brings us nearer. Who could think you were 200 miles away. We didn't have so long as before did we? I knew it was not your usual operator, "it" was a girl.
Well, to begin with in case I forget, I have prepared the minutes, so if you will, just put all the flowery bit you can think of into it, and if you remember any points I have not included, perhaps you will put them in for me.
Our Mr Davies has now been promoted to staff officer. He is going to remain in our branch as we have had a vacancy for some time. Of course he is very pleased about it and it dates back to Jan 9th. When I congratulated him, I said I supposed he didn't want to continue fire-watching with just C O's (clerical officers) and that he had better join Mr Sainsbury's squad. He said he'd rather leave than do that, so now they have to find some E O (executive officer) to take his place. There is some talk of D Jones coming along. I think he rather wants to. I have told you all about Donald Jones at Headquarters haven't I? He was the conscientious objector who eventually joined the Pioneers, took ill, and was kicked out of the army. Anyway i expect there are loads of people who would like to come if only they had the chance. They really do not know their fate. Fancy wanting to come here!!!!!
I am returning Bill's letter, at least I hope I have enclosed it. It's very interesting. I only hope he will always have the chance of such a quiet life while he is at Gibralta. Who is this Marjorie girl and why does she have to send her good wishes to you to Gibralta, only to be returned? You say he has not send his usual fond wishes to me, but what is that last sentence to the missus? Is that your mother or does he think that we will be married by the time you recieve his letter?
Yes, I know that Sir Stafford Cripps has been very much in the new lately. He has certainly earned his success. I often wonder where you would have been now if you had been one of his secretaries. I think, no doubt, you would have been nearer this social work than you are now. By the way, I expect you saw that Temple, Archbishop of York is now Archbishop of Canterbury (at least will be in April). He is 60 years old, but certainly a good deal younger than the other one. There is hope for England yet isn't there? The Daily Sketch mentioned that he and also the new Archbishop of York are very interested in social reform.
Whatever made you think of the "Parable of the tree"? I do hope that tree will not be yours and mine. It's good, but next time make it all new green leaves with buds just bursting forth in the clear spring sunshine. I'm collecting all these for our own "little book", so please continue.
Well now about the nursing. You are so insistent that I almost put on my hat & coat and walked out in the blackout. Well I will see what I can do, but you see, nursing in war time is so different, so many ugly sights creep into hospital life now-a days. But this you will say is merely an excuse, and I must get cracking, but I asure you I shall probably end up by being a patient myself.
Well I think I must close now so it is now 10.25 pm and I have to do some ironing before going to bed.
Tomorrow I am going to Mrs Hardings to tea. She wants to show me her lace or at least the head gear which she very much wants to lend me for our wedding. You can come under too if you want to hide from the World.
All my love & hugs and kisses.
(the last being from Shandy, very wet.)

PS My father is better thank you. Swollen knee is only rheumatism.

PPS It's very sad bout that fellow who was electrocuted. You will be careful won't you? I don't think you would do anything like that, but just in case, remember me. I am waiting for you.

PPPs If you can possibly do the minutes by next weekend, I should be pleased, I also have to prepare a secretary's report, so perhaps you can help in this please, oh, please do.

Thursday, 23 February 2012

Margaret to Tom 22.2.42

53 Buckingham Avenue,

Sun day 22nd February,

Thanks very much for your letter which I received in good time yesterday, but what a long time these letters take to come – I simply live for your letters and wish rather selfishly they could arrive every day.
If I can possibly do the Tennis Club thing today, I will enclose it but somehow I feel it will be rather a rush. The minutes will not be so bad as I thought because I must have had a go at it last April. Your Captain's Report is missing and I wondered if you would ever be able to lay your hands on it next time you come home.
Well yesterday we went to Barry and Deidre's flat – on block. It is a do when we all troop out together., it seems such a crowd. They have a lovely little flat and everything seems so convenient. All the time I was there I was thinking about the flat we are going to have and I wish – how I wish that day could be nearer – when you will be back at the office.
The room is sort of long and narrow about the length of Megan and Freddie's in Cheval Place (the second one I mean) only it is slightly wider. The dining room table & chairs were in one half and the fire, armchairs & settee in the other half – not forgetting the side-board. The bedroom is curtained off from the big room and they can actually get a double bed and a dressing table in there. Everything is compact. I don't think you would like the choice of furniture, because its got funny legs. It is mahogany, by the way. The mantlepiece is of oak, I think, and in the middle, below the shelf there is an electric clock in chromium and no glass, but a background of some material, anyway, the material you find in wireless sets, (probably bakelite BC) and behind the clock is the wireless set, which can be softened or made louder or switched off by a knob on the wall. The wireless is worked by a main one, so of course, Barry can only get one station, which ever is set on the main. They do not have to pay the license and altogether this is rather a good idea for young people who do not want the expense of buying one.
Well we had a very nice evening there, we sat and knitted and talked, had supper and left about 9.30.
Today I was kitchen maid as usual. It takes and awful long time to cook for five people. Tonight I'm going to try my hand at making fish cakes. I shall certainly have to study Mrs Beeton before we get married. Her book seems very good, but I don't think we shall try all her recipes for instance "hash pie" that sound's worse than sea weed doesn't it?
Well Nancy has asked me to ask a favour of you. She badly wants some suspenders (the things that hold up our stockings) and she said that as she has bought tobacco for Ron in the past, perhaps he would like to buy some of these things for her. But on second thoughts, as he is married, I think his wife would object. Now all this arose from the fact that I saw some in Swansea Woolworths and these cannot be obtained from Crawley or anywhere round here. So if you ever pay a visit to Woolworths and see these things, just think of Nancy. They are pink and all ready for sewing on to the belt, she is also anxious for some "roll ons", but before I go further I must stop.
I'm so sorry you were not feeling well last week. It was too much traveling late at night and then swotting so hard. I do hope last weekend has not spoilt your chances. It was certainly hard luck not having the test before you went.
Well now what about your Birthday? I would willingly get you the liquorice if I could see them, but the shops round here have not had any for sometime. Would you like an electric iron, or some stew pans, or a coffee service, or pyrex dish, or fruit set? I don't know what to say about a shaving mirror, because some flats already have things like that installed and we shall not want more furniture than we need. Barry's flat had a shaving mirror & cupboard fitted on to the wall. Anyway let me know what you think about it.
I'm glad you managed to do the essay alright. Your salary is larger than I thought. perhaps you will work out the income tax I shall have to pay this year and see how much we shall save by amalgamating our pay.
Poor Algy. He must be soft if he doesn't realise you are making fun of him. The sooner his wife arrives the better it will be all round.
Well I hope you had a lovely weekend. It's bitterly cold here and yesterday we had a little snow.
Shandy (the dog) sends you all his love, licks & kisses, combined with mine you must be rather wet,

Margaret

Monday, 20 February 2012

Margaret to Tom 19.2.42 and 20.2.42

19.2.42

This part of my letter will only be short I'm afraid, as I'm very tired and ready for bed, but I thought I must start my Friday letter otherwise I shall not be able to send you a lengthy letter, as I can never say how busy I am going to be at the office.
Well, first, thank you for your letter. Of course I didn't mind it being so short. I know you must have felt tired after all that hard work. What a pity you missed such a lot over last weekend. It almost makes one wish it had been this week end, anyway I do hope you did well.
First an item of news – a juicy bit. You remember Mary Vowles and Leslie Lewin were engaged during last year, there was actually an announcement in the paper (Barnet Press) Well apparently Mary broke off the engagement just before Christmas. I don't know any more, except Mary has been in the Land Army since last July and would never go back to her old job as a telephonist. Beryl, her sister, joined the Waafs last year. You will wonder where I got all this information from. Well, Betty met Mary and Beryl last Saturday when they were home for the week end. I quite thought Mary would have been married by this time, didn't you? Now you must not go and break off our engagement, now we have bought all these lovely things – we seem to have settled the matter and not only by love.
That's a very nice letter from your Uncle Seth. It was awfully good of them to send you biscuits and sweets – now I shall not have to send you chocolate for some time shall I? If he could possibly let you have sugar and margarine, I could make it up into cakes for you – what do you think of that idea or would it be rather a nuisnace to send the things back from Swansea? Any way, I leave it to you.
This evening Ethel and I went to see the "Chocolate Soldier". It was not bad, the music was lovely, and, as you probably know, I like Nelson Eddy and his singing very much. The story was from "The Guardsman" and the music only from the "Chocolate Soldier". I think you would probably get bored with it in parts, but if you can possibly appreciate the music, you will enjoy it the whole time. I will not tell you the story in case you go and see it, but the actual story is really crazy. We did not stay to see the other picture as that was tripe. During the picture, in some of the juicy parts, I just longed for the touch of your warm hand, so I could squeeze it, but it was just not there. I do enjoy going to the pictures with you, perhaps we shall get the chance soon.
Bob rang me up tonight. He is writing to you tonight, so you should get his letter before the weekend is out. He wanted to thank me for sending his book over, I thought perhaps I had better send it, as he might be wondering what happened in the next chapter. He apparently tried to get here on Sunday to fetch it, by hitch hiking, but it turned out to be more hiking than hitching, so he called it off. He is rare isn't he? He went rambling on and on while talking to me.
Our poor Winnie was quite sad this afternoon, because her sailor,boy is off tomorrow morning and so rang up this afternnon to cancel their evening out. When she arrived back on Monday from her engagement weekend, she thought he had departed, but she had a lovely surprise on Tuesday when he rang to say he was on leave in the evening. Apparently the Navy always get sleeping out passes, so when he could get home for an evening it was a long one. What a sad world with all these partings!! Rene said we should have to install a plane on the lawn at the office so that we go in turns to Sansea and Scotland or wherever Winnie's boy friend lands.
Well goodnight for now
Your very own Margaret
(an very proud I am of that)
Friday Morning (20th February)
I have not heard from you today yet, but I really must post this letter so it arrives at Swansea tomorrow.
Well I am enclosing a list of Everyman Library books,If you have other suggestions I propose to buy 6 of these, and perhaps you will help me by selecting a few over this weekend and returning this paper as early as possible. I'm going to get six because they are 3/- each and you would like that one called "De Qunicey's reminiscences of the Lake Poets, so I shall put the extra money to it. There is quite a good selection, but I really do not know what I want. It seems to me it would be better to buy two good books than all these, but what can I get?
I have marked a few that I have not read. For instance "The Mill on the Floss" Rene says that is a book she would like to read anytime. Books that I really like do not seem to tbe there – travel books. Leslie Weatherhead "It Happened in Palestine" or do you think we have too many of his? And I like to read about the interesting lives of people and the way people in other countries live. But some of these old classics really do get me down – both the sight of the book and some of the stories, unless they are brought up to modern style. I liked the picture of David Copperfield and Great Expectations, but I'm sure I could not wade though such lengthy details as the book gives. I jsut have not the patience. But enough of this twaddle (is that spelt right?) Anything you say or suggest I will think about, Please help me, as it would be nice to get what we both like.
I must hurry, it's lunch time,
All my love,
Margaret
PS I'm taking your Uncle Seth's letter with me to see your mother & father.

Sunday, 19 February 2012

Tom to Margaret 19.2.1942

Thank you for your letter, which arrived today. I'm sorry your father is still unwell – will you give him my best wishes please? I hope he'll soon be feeling better.
Tonight I have been out for the first time since arriving here on Monday morning! I haven't been feeling terrifically well this week – probably owing to the mid-night journey, followed by too much "swatting". However, I'm feeling better tonight , hence the walk. I went to the sea, though not to Mumbles – only Swansea Bay. It was quite nice though, as there was a moon, but very cold, as it has been ever since I came back.
It's bad luck Richard going into the infantry – do you know which regiment it is? Yes, I've heard of these intelligence tests & once read (or partially read) a book on the subject, I think they're pretty good, & a reliable test of intelligence.
Fancy sleeping through an alarm!
The only thing I could think of as an alternative to a shaving mirror was a quarter pound of liquorice allsorts, but I'll try and think again.
Today there was quite a big post awaiting me at tea time – your letter, my essay from Ruskin College, & the statement of my account from the War Office. The remark on my essay this time was "some very good points; well expressed", so that's alright.
The financial statement I haven't really examined yet. My salary is now £221, as I thought, at present I am having some money (9d per day) knocked off my civil pay and not being paid to me by the army, so this (since November) will have been accumulating in my army credit. I think there should be quite a large amount in that now, and as soon as I get the chance, I'll find out just how much there is.
The bloke who didn't arrive back from his week end leave is now back, having been delayed on account of his sister, who was apparently taken very ill while he was at home.
We haven't had the marks from our exam, & it looks as if we shan't do now. {Perhaps "ignorance is bliss").
Today we managed to get our wireless all wired up ready for reception, Unfortunately, we were unable to get hold of a pair of ear phones, so couldn't try it to see if it worked, but we hope to do so tomorrow. Then we start adding more things to it, it being a bigger & more powerful set.
Our Algy is still here, but we are hoping (very much) that he is going to his wife on Saturday. To make sure, we have invented "Gwyllym" in imaginary cousin of Esme's, who is coming here to take Algy's place on Saturday. At dinner time today, we talked about "Gwyllym" for about half an hour, so that we are almost beginning to believe in him ourselves. Tomorrow we are borrowing a suit case from one of the lads, & we are putting it in our bedroom, & going to tell Algy that it is Gwyllym's luggage (or part of it) sent in advance! So that ought to shift him!
Well, Margaret, there's no more news. I'm working terribly hard, & so the time is going quickly. Each day that goes brings our marriage a day nearer, & already it seems much nearer than when we talked of it a month ago. I am so looking forward to it.
I'm writing this letter so I can post it in good time to reach you on Saturday, & not have such a sad do as a fortnight ago. If possible I'll ring you on Sunday between 8 & 9.
Goodnight, look after yourself,
All my love,
Your own,Tom

Saturday, 18 February 2012

Tom to Margaret 18.2.1942

Thank you for your letter which arrived today. How nice to be able to celebrate someone's engagement! Didn't it make you feel quite old? Well Swansea's just the same. I've been working harder than ever last night, I was busy revising for the exam. The paper contained 3 (out of 11) questions on new work done over the week end, so I had to use my imagination on them. I don't think I did too badly though, but I don't expect to get full marks this time, I'm afraid. If we hear the result before noon tomorrow, I'll put a P. S. on and tell you. Just after I'd written to you yesterday, the postman arrived here & brought a parcel for me. I wondered who ever it could be from, & to my surprise found it was from My Uncle Seth. He sent me a whole lot of chocolate biscuits and some toffee & chocolate. Isn't it nice of him? If I can remember I will enclose his letter. Will you please return it when you've read it, so I can send it home. Mildred (Ron's wife) is coming to Swansea on Friday next week, so I feel very envious of him, & the fellow whose wife works in an insurance office (Wafy) had his wife here over the week end. One of the lads who went away for the weekend isn't back yet. He went to Blackpool, so I should think he must be ill or something. Shall I catch something infectious when I come again? I hope you enjoy the picture. I wish I could come with you to see it. Fancy Ethel getting keen on pictures! Has she found out what Richard's going into yet? Now I must stop. I feel absolutely tired out, having been working since immediately after tea until 10.00 pm. I can't afford to miss lectures at this stage, as I could in the early part of the course. Forgive such a short letter, but I feel so tired, & you can imagine all the other things I'd say if I could! Goodnight, Your own. Tom

Friday, 17 February 2012

Margaret to Tom 18.2.1942

Wednesday 18th February 1942

Thank you very much for your letter. It must have broken all records because it arrived at 11.00pm and you only posted it at 12.15 pm on Monday.
I was very sorry to hear you had a cold journey. You seem to have been unlucky because both my journeys were hot, in fact too hot, what a pity you had to wait nearly a whole hour on a cold platform. Do you think, from your experience of night travel would be alright for a little girl like me?
Rene has just heard that she is going on March 18th, but of course she does not know where or even if it will be radiolocation for sure. She went for her medical yesterday, to Edgeware and they told her then when she could be called, She could have gone on 6th March, but that she thought was too early, so asked if she could go on 13th. She had an intelligence test which consisted of very unusual diagrams. I don't know if you had one at all, but have you heard of books with various patterns in and things or diagrams which might fit into that pattern or might not, but anyway, the intelligence test was something like that. Rene has tried to explain to us, but I really do not see what these things are, and I wondered if you know anything about them. One girl apparently was turned out because she could not do anything of the intelligence test, although they explained everything very well and actually told you if you were wrong first time. They do get some daft girls, in these places – one apparently could not spell her own occupation, which was needlework. So if I get called up there's a chance for me to get thrown out isn't there? It can always be worked.
Well Richard is going to Newport I of W tomorrow – in the infantry. He is not at all keen to go, Isn't it hard luck being put in the infantry of all places?
Last night I was supposed to be firewatching at home. It was from 2 – 4 and, as Daddy still has a cold and was away from the office, Monday and Tuesday – Mother did Dad's 10 – 12. Well I went to bed at 10.0 and then set the alarm for 2 oclock and just like me I didn't wake until Dad brought my tea in at 7.30. The alarm went off alright and mother heard it and so did my firewatch. I am awful don't you think so? I suppose it all arises from the fact that I do not want to wake up until you are home again.
Mrs Harding & I are going along to try and get my satin this afternoon. I shall look out for a shaving mirror for you, but if I can't get one, in case they are difficult to get, do you think you can think of something esle? We have another 21st next month, so I shall have to save up, it's Lily's at the end of the month.
I am enclosing the photograph of me that you want, so don't get it scratched or torn because these prints will be very hard to get later on.
I can't think of any more news at the moment except that time is going very very quickly, not at the office, but at home because I have loads to do.
I hope you enjoy your table tennis this week. If you want your table tennis bat I will post it on to you, and I might manage one or two balls – only they are very scarce these days.
Al my love,

Margaret

Wednesday, 15 February 2012

Margaret to Tom 16th February 1942

Thank you for the lovely weekend. I do hope you had a good journey back and that you do not feel too tired. Was it worth it? It always feels sad going back gain doesn't it? I know when I returned the other Monday, home had no interest for me. It seemed so fruitless coming back. It always feels sad going back again doesn't it.
I imagine you falling asleep today in the middle of that lecture that is if you arrived in time.
Great excitement in the office today, one of the girls has just got engaged to a fellow in the navy a civil servant (CO) in civil life. so we have bought her some flowers. Daffodils & narcissus, so with the sun shining outside and the flowers, this room has quite a spring-like appearance. She (Winnie) will probably get married when her fiancee comes on leave again which might be anything from 3 months to a year. Thank goodness you are not in the navy, I'm sure I should die of impatience and worry.
I'm sending off Bob's book today, it's all ready, but I didn't have time to post it at lunch time because of getting cake and flowers & chocolates and seeing the times of the "Chocolate Solder" at the new Bohemia Cinema. Ethel has gone all crazy over films, so we are both going along to see this film on Thursday or some other day. I think I'm going to have quite a hectic week. Mrs Harding wants me to go round one day and see the veil which she would like to lend me, and then one day, we are going to buy the satin. Then, of course, I'm going to the dressmaker on Friday and Saturday we are going to Barrie's so I don't look like brooding much this week do I?
I'm afraid this is only a short note as having seen you yesterday, there's not much news, and the only thing that's left for me to say is,

All my love & all the best for your exam,

Margaret

Tom to Margaret 16.2.1942

Well here I am back again in this land of desolation – and about twelve hours ago, we were sitting close together by the fire, just as we used to almost every day.
Last night I arrived at Paddington at about 11.45, found the platform, & after waiting about 10 minutes we were admitted to the platform. Then began a lengthy vigil that got progressively colder. The train didn't arrive until about 12.40, & by that time the platform was crowded, & when it did arrive, everyone made a rush. As they were nearly all service men of one sort or another, i did my share of rushing too and got a corner seat. As I was about the third on the platform an hour earlier I felt entitled to it!
The journey wasn't too bad, although I felt cold. I slept quite a lot. Shortly after leaving Paddington, I dozed a bit & was awakened by shouts of "Reading", then I dozed again and after, what seemed a few minutes, I was woken by chants of "Swindon". The same thing happened again with Gloucester, Newport & Cardiff. So I didn't really know much about it! The train arrived in Swansea at about five past eight – only twenty minutes late. At Newport it was on time.
I felt dirty and in need of a wash & hot drink, so I decided to miss college for the lecture, & have just had a wash & a shave & some breakfast, so am feeling fine now (about 9.15.)
Now darling I really must stop and catch up with some of the work I have missed. I'll write tomorrow to tell you what happened in the test.
Thank you so much for a lovely weekend. It is worth it a thousand times over, & now whenever I feel depressed I just think of the lovely time we have when we are together, & of the lovely times we are going to have later on. So, bye, bye, look after yourself,

All my love,
Tom

Monday, 13 February 2012

Tom to Margaret 11.2.1942

Thank you for your letter. No I'm not sure my old bones will stand the strain of a walk on Sat., but we'll hope for the best.
I'll ring up when we get to Paddington on Fri. If you haven't heard from me by 5.0pm I'll be on the late train, but I think I shall be on the early one alright. By the way I have assumed you'll be sleeping at our house again – this goes without saying. I have been trying to bring a chicken home with me, but have been unsuccessful.
I've no time for more, again thank you for your letter & lovely messages,

All my love,

Tom

Sunday, 12 February 2012

extract Tom to Margaret 10.2.1942

Everything is all nicely arranged for the weekend, and so everything else lies with us to make the most of it – which I'm sure we shall do, shan't we darling? I found out this evening that my pass is all in order, and signed, so that all is well. It's still uncertain whether I shall be able to catch the early train, but I rather think it will be possible to do so. It is due in at Paddington at 3.45 pm being a passing speed train withal. The only thing is that we are due to have a test this week, and it may be on either Thursday or Friday, and if the latter, probably from 10 - 12 I think the best thing will be for me to ring you up when I arrive at Paddington – if before 4.30 at the office, and if after that time at home. So if you've heard nothing by about 5.00, I think you can assume I shan't ring up 'til about 9.00pm, as before.
I hope you have arranged to sleep at our house alright? And I hope you've been able to arrange for us to see a bit of Jonah on the Saturday. I am so looking forward to this week end, as you know, because I think I've told you in every letter since I last saw you.
And, as I write that, I can see you again as you looked when last I did see you – looking I think more lovely than ever. Then we were saying goodbye, but on Friday we shall be able to look forward to two whole days together.
There's no real news. I've hardly been further than just across the road to the college. Yesterday I rushed off after tea to the shops, to get the film I had developed. They have developed & printed it extremely badly so it's not up to much. However, I'll bring it on Friday. Woolworth's hadn't any curtain rings _ If I have a chance I'll try again before I come home.
Goodnight & God bless you.
Your own
Tom

Friday, 10 February 2012

Extract from Tom A Critchley to Margaret Robinson 9.2.42

Thank you for your letter, I looked forward to it all day, and since you didn't receive the letter I posted on Friday or Saturday, as it's such a long time over the week end, & I didn't even 'phone! And you didn't know I wasn't gong to phone. It's all very tragic. However, you should receive two letters today! Well yesterday was cold, but a bright blue sky all day, so after dinner I cycled out to Mumbles & it was so warm in the sun that I was able to lie in the sun & have - what do you think? one of the fruit melba bars you gave me. It was lovely too. I don't know why, I only received £4 last month, but I have no doubt it's all worked out correctly. In the near future I'll write to the War Office and ask for a statement of accounts.
We are being paid early this week, tomorrow – so I should know by tomorrow evening If I shall be able to come at the weekend. If I do, and hear by 6.30, I'll let you know. It would be lovely if you could meet me at Paddington, but at present I don't know what train I shall be catching.
Ron arrived back today at about 11.30 am. He left home about 10.00 am, and had a lovely week end. Isn't he lucky being married? But still we make the most of our weekends don't we? And I know we shall make the most of next weekend too.
The people here like the photo of you that you sent me, and I feel so proud of you that I feel like rushing around showing it to everyone I meet You really do look nice on it – but no photograph is anything like as nice as you.
How amusing that the girl from Jerusalme should ring up Ronald. I expect when he eventually does arrive home, the tlelphone will be ringing all day with strange females after him! But don't tell Nancy I said so.

Thursday, 9 February 2012

Margaret Robinson to Tom Critchley 9.2.1942

Thank you for your two lovely letters which I received today. I was up late as usual today, so was actually at home when the postman called here at 8.35 which is certainly early for him. Then I had the other letter when I arrived home in the evening.
My lateness this morning was rewarded by a car ride all the way to the office. The captain (my friend down the road) picked me up and, as it was very wet this morning, that is raining, it seemed a God send. This capatin told me he is a liaison officer to the war office and working for the Admiralty at the same time. He is working among civil servants much to his disgust – too much red tape!!
I was going to write to you from the office this morning, but I was up to my eyes with work, yes really!!!!!
I'm glad you have written to Jonah. I will arrange a hike or something for Saturday afternoon and then we can come back here for a late tea. I wonder if I should ask Bob, as I'm sure he would love a change, especially if we are going for a walk, so perhaps I will ring him up.
Thank you for the lovely sonnet. I don't know how you can think of such beautiful language. we shall have to keep all these poems and have a book made out of them. I really adore these sonnets, although I never say much about them – but then what can I say, because you leave me so amazed. I am the luckiest girl in the world and you deserve all the love in the world.
If by some stroke of misfortune you cannot come home on Friday, you say you will phone me on Thursday at 6.30 pm. Well I shall be at home until about 6.45 as I am firewatching at the office. If unhappily you should have to phone & cannot get me at home, my office number will be FIN 5101.
I am glad you were able to have your photo taken at last. I hope it was not too much of an ordeal, but I'm sure it will be worth your trouble. After all it's for me isn't it?
What a good job I did come down the other week end in view of the weather. I shall pray and hope you don't have any air raids. But I suppose we are almost as likely to get them as you.
King Edward (Duke of Windsor) was paid a complement today. Mrs De Carlen and Rene were stirred up by the Japs having landed at Singapore. Mrs D said that if the Duke had remained King, there would never have been a war & that it is the fault of Baldwin that we are not prepared. Then both she and Rene agreed that better conditions would have been settled for the poorer classes. I don't know whether it would have stopped the war. I rather doubt it, because the world has been gradually getting nearer to war, during the last 10 years or so, but I do wonder whether Edward will come back as leader of our people. I really can't see Princess E as Queen. (Margaret, like so many others of her generation would grow to admire and respect Elizabeth when she became queen.) And I do think that England needs a man & someone who would have his whole heart and soul in the lives of the people. After all the Americans favour Edward don't they? But somehow, it always thrills me to hear these people talk in favour of Edward. I liked him, not just because I was infatuated with the thought of a young king, but because I felt that England and the British Empire could be changed for the better during his rule – so perhaps England will have this chance again at the end of this dreadful war.
Well, I have just let the Duke run away with my pen, but I have lots more to say, if I don't forget it. You know that lovely soldier hat? Well, according to the papers, a beret is going to take its place in due course, so if you can, get another hat now. I can't imagine you in a beret.
One other thing, someone in parliament is struggling for an additional allowance for soldiers. I don't know whether it will affect you if it comes off, anyway we shall see.
So you are having another test on Thursday. I thought there was not going to be one for 5 weeks. What a blow!! They are determined to keep you at it. I hope you do well and that I don't hinder the proceedings in any way. I'm sure love does not exactly fit in with amps & wireless intestines or whatever you call you call these technical hitches etc. All the best and keep at it. I know I've got it all wrong, but you don't mind do you?
Well, I feel tired now, and I think I will go to bed. I shall think of all the years we have before us. And I only hope we shall be fortunate enough to have each other for many, many years. Some people will not have this time to look forward to, isn't it sad that a war can make so much suffering?
Goodnight and God bless you,
All my love,
Margaret

Tuesday, 7 February 2012

Margaret Robinson to Tom Critchley 7.2.1942

Thanks for your lovely long letter. When I saw the words "will you marry me on July 3rd – I thought it was an official proposal. Darling, of course I will, but do you realise 3rd July is a Friday. I wonder if you will be able to get leave at the end of the second course, by rights you should, but the army does such peculiar things at times and you can never guarantee what silly things it is going to do. I do not understand the grading, but perhaps you can explain that next weekend.
Your mother phone today and asked me to tell you that only £4 has been put in the bank for you this month. Do you know the reason why? Perhaps you would like to pursue this matter. Unless it is income tax deducted or you have been receiving more than you should from the army. Perhaps the government is running short of funds. But this is so serious (I mean the £4) when we have to save. Your mother had a phone call from a girl who used to live next door to Ron in Jerusalem. She apparently asked if Ron was in, as she knew he hoped to be home for Christmas. This girl is Lillette (the Bulgarian) who is in London working for our government with her mother. Nancy, I think, is quite worried about this girl coming into Ron's life, and having waited all this time, will be terribly disappointed if her affair does not come off. However, we shall see.
Darling, I don't know why I should keep creeping between you and the blackboard. I don't seem to help you in your work, only hinder. Can't you think of me standing behind you with a very stern look on my face and glasses on the end of my nose?
Fancy you actually speaking to me. We must be in our own little workd apart but I do not remember receiving your message & perhaps I was dreaming as usual. There must have been a technical hitch somewhere. But really, the more you talk to me in this way, the more I long to be with you every day and see the end of this beastly war. I nearly forgot I was in the office when I read your letter and nearly burst into tears, but unfortunately, I had to bottle up my feelings.
Well, I went to our office dance and social last night with Betty and Alan, but I didn't feel frightfully happy. I knew all the time there was some missing link. Tom, I can't go to these places without you, because I really don't enjoy it. We left at 11 o'clock and Betty and Alan saw me home. Consequently I feel very tired this evening and feel I have a cold coming on.
Tom, thank goodness I have not had to play bridge this weekend. Nothing makes my weekends less enjoyable than playing bridge. I wish I had never learnt the beastly game. These days I certainly can't enjoy it, especially when contract seems to be looming in the background. I have vowed never to learn to play contract. It's too much like hard work & less of a recreation.
I feel so tired that I will finish this tomorrow and post it, then you will receive it on Monday sometime, unless held up by now. I have not had a letter from you today, but Joyce has, so I feel quite jealous. I hope you have received your parcel today, because I posted it quite early on Friday morning. The roads on Friday were very bad. It had apparently been sleeting in the night and that had got frozen over, so you can guess how treacherous the roads were. It is still very cold here and the snow has not disappeared yet.
Well, goodnight.
Sunday afternoon
This morning Nancy and I went to see your mother and father. We have come to the conclusion the deduction in your pay must be income tax unless you are paying that monthly. anyway, I thought if you wanted to write and make sure, you could do so.
I am a lucky girl having a gramophone. Yesterday I felt really down in the dumps in the afternoon and as if I was on the verge of a very bad cold. However, I decided to put on some lively records and that certainly did cheer me up. I started with "Down Forget-me-not Lane." By the way, two of the records I got were "I know that my redeemer liveth" and "Holy City" Kentucky Minstrels.
The other two I shall fetch when I go to London.
Do you know the time of the train you are coming by next Friday? Will it be morning or afternoon? I could easily meet you at Paddington, if it was the morning train unless of course you would be too early for me.
I have enclosed two more gillets so that will make the dozen now. If you do not want any more, perhaps you will let you know, but you can certainly make some money by selling them if you wish. That is, if you are hard up.
I had a letter from Nina, which I will show you next weekend,

All my love,

Margaret



Thankyou for the parcel which arrived this morning. The gloves look very nice – how lucky I am to have you so good ar doing these things darling. Thankyou too, for the battery and photo, Now I shall at least have a nice big photo to look at, and a torch to see it with in the dark !
Today, it is very cold for Swansea. The weather is much worse than last weekend, so we are very lucky again. It's easily the coldest day since we came to Swansea, so I haven't been a-mumbling today. Instead I did the painful duty of haveing my photo taken. I do hate it. You didn't say if you wanted a "serious" one or a "smiling" one, so I thought the former. But just as the operator was about to take it, I laughed at something, so it's a smiling one after all. I didn't know it was being taken just then! it is due to be ready on Thursday, so I'll bring it with me if I come – I hope i shall.
Today I have been so rash to to pay 2/- for a book from Smith's – it's reduced in price. It's Lord Houghton's "Life and letters of Keats" – an established classic. It will be a nice companion to the letters of Shelley. I'll bring it home with me when I come.
The same evening I went for my cycle run through the mining village I told you about.
You think of some lovely ideas, but I shouldn't become either a ticket collector or a stoker if I were you. I don't think it would be very comfortable, and if I got moved to Newcastle, & you found yourself travelling to Swansea every day it would be a to-do.
Don't worry about what you owe me Margaret (Not that I think you are for a moment!) Of course deduct the 16/6. If we don't feel a church service is essential preliminary to loving as we do, I'm quite sure we don't need a church service to make us give each other everything else we've got. Just see how you get on, and do as you like about it.
There really isn't any more news, so I'll continue this letter tomorrow – though I don't expect there'll be much more news then.
It's now about 8.15 on Satuday evening, and I'm going to read some of this book on Keats.
Sunday 11 am
Well yesterday evening dragged on its weary way, and so, as Pepys said "To bed" It's still very cold and this morning, for the first time, there was frost on the windows inside. So I don't know if I shall go far today.
Last night we were wakened in the early hours of the morning by the sirens. My sleep thoughts turned at once to scenes of desolation by the High St, but all was quiet, and I was woken again by the all clear some time later. It is a good job we chose last week-end for your visit, both in view of this and the weather.
We have now started making our wireless sets. I have every hope of getting America on mine, but if I manage to pick up the home service faintly, I shall be very lucky! We spend the last one and three-quarter hours of each day on them, from 3.15 to 5.00 pm.
Well there doesn't seem to be any more news. I'm just living for next weekend. By the way, I shall be traveling back on the Sunday night, so shan't have to rush off early.

All my love,

Tom

Sunday, 5 February 2012

Margaret Robinson to Tom Critchley 5.2.1942

I received your letter this morning on arrival at the Office. According to the postmark you posted it on Tuesday at 8.45 pm. Isn't this posting problem a difficult one? I do wish we could have that wireless set installed.
Well its nice to know we could manage alright if I left the office. One of the girls at the office, who is living with another girl, reckons it costs them 30/- each per week and that includes food, light, coal, & rent, so it looks as if we might be able to manage with £3 a week. I should imagine we certainly could outside London. That is of course allowing for your enormous appetite. What a good job I am buying all these clothes, as by July I should have quite a decent wardrobe which should not need replenishing too often. It seems that if I leave the office with income tax deducted we should be receiving £60 a year less and this is not to be sneezed at is it? I should also be getting an increase in pay next August.
I do hope this parcel arrives on Saturday as I do feel you should receive something from me at weekends, it makes it so long & uneventful. I have washed the gloves & as I did not want to put the iron on just to press them, I asked mother to sit on them, and they now seem to be done (that is very pressed).
We have had some more snow today and that has settled on top of the ice you can guess how slippery it is in parts. Yesterday the snow was freezing – hence the ice. It's very cold today, I'm really coming back to Swansea! Oh, I had a lovely idea yesterday. I could be a ticket collector or stoker on the train that travels to and from Swansea and then I could see you every day and bring you anything you wanted. This is what makes me think of it. You see there is a link between Swansea & London, the link that brings letters to and fro and since this is way of getting in touch with you, why can't I come myself with the train?
I'm looking forward to your next weekend ever so much. I do hope you can manage is soon. Will it be 14th or 21st?
I am getting very much in debt. Daddy is lending me a fiver for my wedding garments. I could just manage it with a squeeze, but this will certainly help as I can take my time in paying back & as I shall still be at the office up to July, I think I can manage to pay all my debts. I owe you £5.16.6d now, so if I deduct the 16/6 that will pay for any past or future blades, chocolates, torch batteries etc. Do you agree with this plan? It amounts to the fact that I have about 7/6d to spend on future things.
I hope you will be able to go for some lovely walks this weekend. I shall think of you by the sea, looking down on the "Giant's Causeway" and the sea dashing against the rocks. Tell me when you see that slit in the rocks, the huge one, covered completely by the sea. As I write all this, I'm longing to be with you.
To change the subject, which brings that horrible lump to my throat. You don't tell me all the "juicy bits". This time it was Doug and the ATS he made cry. Poor Doug, he has let himself in for something hasn't he?
This week does seem to be dragging. Mrs De Carlen who sits next to me at the office calls time her enemy, because each day is bringing her nearer her end. I said I'm jut longing for tomorrow and the four week-ends we can have together.
Nothing would make me happier than to see this beastly war finished and an end to all this killing and suffering. I'm just living for the time when we live together and you can go back to the office and when we can plan for the future without the slightest hitch.
Well I must close now. I can't think of anything except that I want to sleep and wake up on Feb 14th or 21st, when you can get leave,

All my love,

Margaret

Saturday, 4 February 2012

Margaret Robinson to Tom Critchley 4.2.1942

Thank you for your lovely long letter which arrived yesterday afternoon. One of the GP's brought it up specially to me about 4.00pm. You write so beautifully and everything you say is expressed in such a soothing way, it comes as soft music to a tired mind.
Mr. Sainsbury told me about his walks around Swansea when I took his tea in yesterday. Apparently he remembers a very good walk from Bishopston. Round about there is a valley, which he believes is and old river because there are so many things pointing to this fact. He also mentioned a waterfall, the water rushing amid rocks and apparently no trace of a spring. His theory is that there is a subterranean river somewhere. So if you get time, I should explore these parts, if you have any idea whereabout they are, and then you can tell me if these things have changed since his days.
I thanked Mr Sainsbury very much for the time off and he said " That's alright, its an understood thing." It gives hopes for the next leave. Well I must certainly keep on the right side of him.
I'm glad you heard from Doug and Jonah. How lovely for Doug not to be going abroad, as I don't suppose he is very keen to go, now he has Ella. But poor Doug in a mixed unit. I expect he will have to teach girls to drive, and you have had some experience of that, haven't you?
Did you hear the Brain's Trust last night? I thought they were very good. The questions were not bad – quite everyday common sense ones. I liked the one where a soldier wanted to know how he could make his wife like opera – good old Joad, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Tonight we had excerpts from Emlyn Williams play, Morning Star, the one we wanted to see. Its all about the air raids of 1940 – but it certainly sounds good if you like a serious play. It would be lovely to see something when you are on weekend leave wouldn't it? But I suppose we must save our money.
I was talking to Mrs Waker this afternoon, and she wanted to know what I though of Swansea. She is the one who's daughter is evacuated down your way. She told me that she will be going down there for a weekend in March, 1st or 2nd week, so if we can both manage the Friday afternoon off, we can travel down together then. I suppose it would mean me traveling back overnight (the Sunday night, I mean) as it would seem a waste of time having Monday off just to travel don't you think? But I'm willing to travel by night if it means seeing you. Perhaps I could travel back by a 4 o'clock train if there is one in the morning, then we could spend a night couldn't we? I have to bear in mind that I only have one day and traveling on the Saturday at 11.55 means a very short weekend, so I think it would be best to get the Friday afternoon off, don't you?
As you say you feel like writing to me oftener than every other day, I should enclose two letters in one, if you understand me. Only the postage is very dear and its lovely to receive one fat packet instead of two small ones and I suppose we must save money even in the smallest way.
Joyce is going back to the office on Monday next, so it will seem very strange after all this time. Jock phoned her tonight & Joyce phoned him last night so it (this affair I mean) seems to be progressing somewhat.
I m going to the dance on Friday. I wish you could come with me, but I don't suppose we should have gone if you had been at home as you don't appreciate such things. I can't say I am very keen, but I expect I shall enjoy it.
Won't we have a lovely time when we are married? I can see ourselves going to bed very early & then not sleeping at all.
Please remember me to Ron and George, perhaps I shall meet them again next time I am down. I would certainly love to see your billet & meet Mrs Dowling and Esme.
I shall think of you on your way to the college & rushing up that hill daily.

All my love,

Margaret

PS I forgot to ask you in my first letter if you ever talked in your sleep. I certainly hope you did not on Monday or Sunday night and give our secrets away.

Friday, 3 February 2012

Margaret Robinson to Tom Critchley 3rd February 1942

To begin with, there's snow, snow, snow and still more snow. I was very surprised to see it yesterday. I think it began somewhere about Swindon. I wondered at first it it were lumps of lime, but the fields were covered completely as we travelled nearer London. I was tempted to catch the next train back to you. Oh dear, it was a terrific strain to have to leave. I hated coming back. And how silly it seemed when I was just on the door-step, so to speak. We reached London at 2.00pm. About half an hour late. I think the train was non-stop to Paddington from Newport. Immediately I arrived at Paddington, I rang mother up and told her not to meet me, as the snow is worse in our road. I think she was pleased I rang up. However, I went to be fitted for my costume. I shall be very pleased with it. It will be ready on 27th February.
Yesterday I was very rash, I took mother's advice and bought some white lace. It was 10/11 per yard and I had to have 6 yards, so you can guess what I have let myself in for. Still, I think if I left it till later I probably would not be able to get it. I will now have to buy some satin or whatever I shall wear beneath it. So don't you call this wedding off now, or fly back to mother at the last minute. I should imagine this dress will cost £5 altogether. Still, it only happens once in a lifetime, at least it should. Please don't broadcast this cost. If I see you in March, as I hope I will, I will have to ask you to provide the necessary, as I shall be completely broke at the end of February.
I went to the record shop yesterday, and they had only two of the records in, so I will have to fetch the next later. I could not find the place, & wandered round Leicester Square station in circles, the only thing I know was that it was in Cranbourne Street. I did miss you as you know these places so well. And walking about London with a heavy case is not by any means an easy task, however, I arrived home before the rush hour at 5.00pm. It was very sad going home, but Shandy, of course was very pleased to see me. So I had to take him out in the snow. He loved it and this time it's deeper than ever before (about 6 inches I should say) It was snowing as I came to the office this morning. You count your lucky stars you have not got to travel in this, How I long to be with you and to see you every evening. Still I suppose that time will come and we must just wait, wait & wait. But life is as sad at times, and I can't helping sighing.
After lunch
I have just been out to the Civic. A very nice lunch. It is now raining, a very fine rain, so I expect the snow will gradually melt away.
You won't forget, will you, about getting mother some of those curtain hooks when you go near Woolworths. I think they are 5 pence ha'penny per card.
Well I can think of you all day and know what sort of place you are in. I can follow you down town and on that tram to Mumbles and the lovely cliff walks. I can hear the sea dashing against the rocks, and Egbert (a sea gull) flying around in all his glory. Do tell me everything you are doing at week ends and in the evenings, and please tell me if you are going a mumbling next weekend and the I can be with you in spirit, can't I?
Mr Sainsbury has just been talking to me as he knows Swansea & Mumbles & the Langland Bay walks very well. He apparently went there on an audit years ago. He said the next time I go there's a lovely walk inland. Anyway, he seems to think I am coming again doesn't he?
I think Ethel & I shall be fire watching this Saturday night as someone is on sick leave this week and we are reserve. But I don't mind as it all means more money, and I have not much to do at home. We shall be on a Thursday week too, so it looks as if this is going to be good month for fire watching.
I must close as I suppose I must do some work of some kind.
I have done (mended) your gloves so you can have them as soon as I have washed them,
all my love,
Margaret.

Thursday, 2 February 2012

Margaret Robinson to Tom Critchley 2.2.1942

Written on a train from Swansea to London

Thank you very much indeed for the lovely weekend. It's been worth it hasn't it? What lovely walks we have had together and what a lovely change of air for me. I can't help thinking how lucky you really are to be able to go a-mumbling and to look across that lovely expanse of sea to Lynmouth. The next time you walk along there, think about us in a few months time.
I managed to get a corner seat. The train is full, with some people standing in the corridor. I didn't realise at first I chose a seat directly underneath a picture of Watersmeet. I think the place must be Lynmouth for our honeymoon, don't you? When I left The Mackworth, it was raining quite hard, so that made the leaving a bit easier. But I must say I was tempted to stay there for ever and a day. Would you have been very cross?
I would very much loved to have seen you this morning, but it would have been very sad indeed and very short. The journey has gone so far very quickly. I have not been able to look out very much because of people in the corridor. The sun was shining in Cardiff and Newport, but since then the weather has been very dull. The time has gone very quickly, I think because I have been thinking out ways and means of working leave and time off. At one time, our people were able to work one Saturday afternoon and have the following Saturday morning off. But I shall have to inquire and think things out.
I have just looked out of the window and it seems there are various patches of snow and ice. I think we have been very lucky indeed with the weather. I shall certainly come to Swansea again.
Well last night you certainly went at a decent hour, we shall be able to stay up later when you are home on leave. I listened last night until your footsteps had died away and then I thought what a lovely end it had been to a glorious weekend.
I will post this as soon as I can buy some envelopes and then you can have it tomorrow.

All my love,

Margaret