Dearest Renie,
I hope you won’t object to such a “claiming” beginning.
I haven’t very long to write to you tonight, had potatoes to cut up for a salad for 200, and thought I’d never get through, its just 2 o’clock which gives me roughly an hour, and that’s not long enough to write to you. I’m being sent tomorrow instead of Saturday on my course, wasn’t writing ‘till tonight to you, but can’t leave without saying a few words to you: wouldn’t rest in the train! I do hope you aren’t cross with me after some of the things I said in my last letter, are you, truthfully, Renie? I expect you think I’m such a conceited and proud sort of chap, and I don’t want you to think that, I don’t think I am really, and I do hope more than anything, that it won’t make any difference to your letters for I love the things you say and wouldn’t like you to alter or stop writing the way you do. Perhaps I do own some funny ways and you may not agree with me in lots of things, promise you won’t stop writing naturally please Renie?
I’ve been looking at your photo again, I always am, and I admire you immensely, where was it taken? You never told me. Are you still as gentle looking? I think you’re fine and ‘fine’ means a whole lot to me. I am looking forward so much to meeting you, we have so many things to do too haven’t we? Don’t forget, there’s the cathedral, pictures, perhaps a dance (if you want to) and anything else you wish, or want to go to. If I am lucky enough to get leave, that would be fine too, I’d be down to see you alright.
In one of your last letters you said there weren’t any cows, so am sending you half a dozen!! So perhaps that means a box on the ears when you see me!
Didn’t get up until 6.30 yesterday, nearly slept the clock around, they then told me I was off tomorrow, but had to work tonight as usual. Shall try to get a few hours sleep in the morning, after packing, saying ‘cheerio’ to my pals etc: have to go by train, not over the mountains as I thought, it’s just beyond Florence, pretty spot in the hills, but more about it when I arrive there.
Will you write direct for a few weeks: -
Pte. Crabb, RAMC, Course 14, U.E.ls, Army School of Education, Perugia, Italy.
And I’ll let you know when to change again.
I loved your last two letters, there’s a lot to answer in them, but oh dear, I haven’t the time tonight.
Oh yes, (your last letter), I jolly well hope you won’t invent an excuse for not writing so much Renie, a very bad thought! Very bad.
What about the photo? I really believe you’re a little bit shy! Really Renie. Since spelling your name Renie, you’ve reverted to René, now look here, which one of you two am I writing to? Do you write René when on 3 hours “spread over” duty to save time. Very nice of you, if you do, to squeeze in an extra letter, you’re like Gwen who spells her name Crabbe, actually wrong, because she prefers the e, aren’t girls funny?
Have you been to any more shows recently? Do you read very much? Do you like poems? And short stories? I was looking at a “True Life” mag. The other day, gosh! Aren’t some of those stories ‘soft’, honestly, the romance book I mean, expect you know it, you don’t like ‘soft’ stories do you?
I don’t seem to be progressing very fast tonight, my brain seems to be in a whirl, strange how one’s thoughts get jumbled up at night. If I was asleep now, I think I’d be dreaming of all sorts of things, usually I sleep very well, don’t get enough tho’, as we are early risers, always wake up very sleepy in these climates. Feel like a bad night’s nightmare or a bus conductress’s early morning! I bet you feel sleepy too on your early shift, don’t you? Are your eyes all tired too? Oh dear, at this rate, my impudent remarks, you will have such a lot to take me to account for, but I think I’ll rather enjoy it!
How’s Auntie Kitty? Is she keeping well? Please give her my love and best wishes, and I’m looking forward to her next letter, when she isn’t too busy.
Interruption here, had to make a cup of tea for one of the orderlies who dropped in for a chat, but he’s nearly fallen asleep on the form, and I’ve no time for chatting at present!
If you won’t be too annoyed with me for my cheek, I am cheeky am I not? Will you make paragraphs to your letters ‘cos you write so many things all in one paragraph. Starting off with one thing about yourself, and ending up about the buses! Even tho’ you are connected in a way, I think there’s a world of difference between yourself and the bus, and you are definitely worth a paragraph to yourself, even if you won’t write a complete letter about yourself when I wouldn’t expect paragraphs. Perhaps it’s because you have so much to say, and so quickly, that you don’t remember to make a pause, don’t forget I’m going on an English course and will be a very severe critic (says he) when I come back, but don’t take any notice of me if that’s going to cramp your style, I like you, not a copy book. I am now prepared to duck, as the bricks come my way!
It seems, very unfortunately, that my time is up, now 3.30. I hate to stop, I love writing to you, especially now you don’t think I’m ‘silly’, don’t please, take any notice of my remarks, as they aren’t meant to hurt, and only because I’m too sleepy to think of anything better to say. I don’t think I’d fall asleep over your letters, only afterwards, with the thought of work to do, or exhaustion!
You know I’ll write to you Renie, as often as I can, I don’t know when I’ll have a chance again, perhaps later this weekend.
Keep well and cheerful, write when you are able, I’m always ready to hear from you.
Goodbye for now, God bless you always
My love, Renie,
affectionately,
Eric x.
