Margaret to Tom 18th May 1942

Well I do hope you and Bill arrived back safely and are not feeling too tired today. Anyway, we had a glorious weekend, even if we did a good bit of dashing about. The only thing I fear is your mother did not see enough of you. I know now that as the weeks are gradually drawing nearer and as you and I are both feeling more and more happy about our marriage your mother is beginning to realise what it will all mean to her. Its no good you shutting your eyes to the fact because I know its true and the muddle of the arrangements for the past weekend, just about finished things. So although I know you had a good bit to think about during the last week, but I think you had better write to your mother and tell her all about it (that is concerning the arrangements) bearing in mind we did not know if you would be early on Friday or extremely late. I know it is difficult for you Tom, away from home, but I know she is expecting you to be a bit more thoughtful at present. I am sure too that it is thought that I am rushing this wedding because I have to see to most of the arrangements. So will you please write and tell your mother everything. Its certainly not so good when all the news comes from me. Although we have told them several times that the furniture is going to live round at my home and that we shall have two rooms at home, they still want to know where we are going to live. Your Ma asked us during the course of your bath yesterday, so Bill spoke up for us and said that he thought that during the war the answer was obvious. I was almost told off for not buying you a more useful present for the wedding – heaven knows what business it is of other peoples as long as we give each other what we want. Forgive this little spurt won't you Tom, but I have the Monday morning feeling at the moment, and I am feeling and I know Nancy agrees, that I am getting all the blame for these deeds. I know these are only petty details and you usually shut your eyes to such things, but it would be nicer for me if you could explain everything in your own words, and of course do not mention the fact that I have said anything or been grumbling to you. I know life has it ups and downs, but every cloud has a sliver lining. Will you see what you can do about making up a hymn for the wedding. I think it would be really lovely if you could and add to the enjoyment of the actual service and be really good when we look back on it in several years time. I have just had to make an envelope and I think you will agree with me that the result is a proper "stitch up" in the real sense of the word. Today is very dull. No sun today and it is very dark, Novemberish. Tomorrow I am firewatching again and Mr Davies is going to perform with another gramophone recital and this time we are going to use Mr Graddon's gramophone, and Mr Addison is coming along I understand,specially to hear the "Moonlight Sonata". I will try and write tomorrow if I have any news, so good bye for the present and do not forget to a) see the MO and b) write to your mother. I hope all goes well with captain Duffy, All my love, Margaret

Margaret to Tom 14.5.42

The picture is Derwentwater rather than Wastwater as described in the letter.

Thursday Evening, 14th May 1942 

After the letter of yesterday, I think I have exhausted all powers of letter writing which is within me, so don't expect much from this letter will you, but nevertheless I shall do my best.

    Today it has been dull and bright alternatively as I expect it will clear up by Whitsun. I am secretly hoping that we shall get all the rain now, and that all July will be fine. I think we should have a very beautiful day for our wedding don't you? Mr Davies is hoping to obtain all the materials for a cinema show on our next fire watch. He is borrowing a projector from a lady whom I think really wants to sell it. he has a few films at home, including his wedding, and he said that one is really the most interesting to them, especially now they have been married for a few years. I have told you all this because, if it would be possible, it would be lovely to have a cinematograph film taken at our wedding, and I wondered whether your father would have any influence in the matter. I believe he did have some cine film of you and Ronald as children didn't he? So no doubt he knows all about these things. But I dare say these are difficult to get and quite expensive nowadays.

    Tonight I have been mending old clothes. It really is a job and will take me weeks to get them mended. I do wish I could throw them al away and get new ones, but I really must not grumble, at least I can say I have very few patched panties and if they are patched, it is probably not in the same place as yours. At long last I have finished reading Cranford, so you can read it when you are not too busy. It really is very interesting and I'm glad I bought it now. I may go up to town tomorrow after work to buy the handbag. Marjorie doubts whether I shall get a really decent one under £4 or £5. At any rate, if I do not buy one, I can get an idea of the bag I really want. I am writing this in bed. I feel very clean, having just had a bath.

   I just looked up and behold – Great Gable was staring me in the face. You know the picture so very well don't you? Every night when I gaze on this picture I always think of that lovely holiday we spent at Wastwater. Do you remember that evening when the bright blue sky mingled with the passing snow white clouds. The lake was so calm with little wavelets dashing against the stones. Oh Tom, as I write this, my heart is simply aching for us to return there. I believe that even as we were standing there by the lake, the German Bombers were on the their way to England to begin their brutal warfare on London. I am tempted to seek refuge in these hills, away from all the horrors of war. Why should we suffer because men can't govern a country without waging a war? But I shan't go on, I shall make your heart ache too for all those lovely surroundings. I feel that as we know those reasons so well, we can dwell there in spirit. If ever I am depressed, I think of the holidays we have spent there and as I am often depressed nowadays, those thoughts are forever creeping in. I must close now, as I am tired and will finish this tomorrow. All my love, Margaret

 Friday afternoon

Mother phoned me before lunch to say that we are to go over to Peter's 21st tomorrow. Peter came home yesterday on 9 days leave so he does not return until Sunday week. That length of time would be ideal for a honeymoon wouldn't it? In the first place we were to go to there Saturday week, but it is thought uncle might be in hospital by then, He is going in for treatment for his rheumatism. Marion sits for her exam on Wednesday I suppose its the first librarian's exam, that was another reason why the party was to be Saturday week.

   Reverting to films (the ones I was telling you about last night) I think it is highly improbably we could get one for the wedding. We shall have great difficulty in getting an ordinary one. Mr Davies was telling me this morning that the chemists in this area say that the quota of film they get nowadays is only £4 worth as opposed to £1,000 which is, of course, the reason why they are so scarce. The next quota arrives on June 1st, so if we are lucky, we may be able to get one on that day. (I don't suppose you believe the above figure, but anyway, that's what I was told). In the mean time, perhaps you will let me know the size you want and I will scout round. This morning I rose at the early hour of 7.15. I had asked Dad to wake me early , but why I wanted to be awakened early, I just could not remember, but anyway, I got up in case I should remember, but I didn't. I played with Shandy and I'm sure I did not want to get up just for that. Anyway, I was rewarded by hearing Leslie Weatherhead at 7.55. he has been on all this week and I have, as a rule, only heard spurts of his 5 minute sermon. He was exceedingly good and gives you something new to think about every time. The publican and the sinner was his theme.

    I have not played tennis at al this week apart from the fact I had decided not to play the ground is not really fit. I went down on Tuesday evening and of your Mrs Eddowes was there playing with Mrs Norris who has joined us this year. I rolled the whole of the damp shady court and was told it looked better for it, so i have done my good turn for this week. We now have a definite gardener, so no more hard work for us. He is in the fire service and is a large brawny chap, so we should be alright, don't you think so? The shortage of tennis balls is very acute and I'm afraid tennis will depart with the shortage, unless something is done there will be no tennis clubs next year. If you are in Cheltenham at all on Saturday perhaps you will inquire for tennis balls. We should be grateful if you could. Mrs Eddowes should never have sold those balls last year, but she wouldn't take any notice of us would she?

    All my love, Margaret