Dear René,
This is “tired eyes” writing to you again. Many thanks for your very interesting letter of Tuesday, arrived today. Very glad to her that you are keeping well, and most interested in all you have to say.
I have just ‘got up’, about 6.30 pm, have slept heavily all day, only woke once when Harry brought me a cup of tea about one o’clock, but it could have been a sleeping draught, for I turned over for another five hours. When I woke, the sun had moved right around, it was very much cooler and the birds were singing softly in the shadows. As I lay collecting my thoughts over a cigarette before dressing, the strains of hymn singing from the evening church service came from the distance.
I decided to get up and would have just enough time to write to you. However, there was your letter, which I was very pleased to get, and by the time I had shaved, it was time to take over from the day shift, as before actually beginning to cook, have started this in the back of the kitchen, it looks very much as if it will be a midnight letter as my only free time is about one o’clock after the night staff have been fixed up. Anyhow even if I cannot answer in detail, our letter, it will be just an ‘in between’ letter till maybe Tuesday when I should have more time to write a longer letter.
It is now 3 am, only just able to ‘take a breather’ for ½ an hour, before lighting fires, cooking sausages etc etc. sounds funny, I expect, what we do for England!
By the way, this letter from you I see is dated from Poole, so the pilot must have flown?
Tuckton appears to be a very attractive spot; very peaceful, I love those kind of places, where one can think without distraction, back to a small, and natural setting any day.
About our breakdown, no, we didn’t have to walk, delay about 20 mins that was all, and no more trouble coming back.
There have been accidents every night so far, since I’ve been on nights. Traffic out here is literally ‘deadly’. Last night an empty ambulance turned over after hitting an Italian cattle truck. Tonight a 3 tonner attempted to dislodge a Bailey bridge with obvious results. Fortunately, the drivers escaped with very little injury, usually abrasions, and are in ‘dock’ for only a week or so. They always have sweet tea for shock on arrival, I’ve had two police in tonight, this is their second consecutive night. An unusual occurrence, fortunately, the other night was a chap who had been knifed by an Italian somewhere. It’s always a case of too much ‘vino’ which leads to these brawls. We’ve had one or two similar instances in this country, chaps getting into trouble, and in Africa it was much worse. There, however the motive was invariably robbery.
Quite a variety of plays etc you have seen, you’ve been lucky to be able to choose from so many, expect you would go for opera, if you like ballet. I have yet to see my first opera in this country. About ballet, I have never been brought to make a decision, don’t think have ever seen a ballet show, though’ there are a few over here from time to time.
Yes René it is only two days since you last wrote, we appear to have developed at least, a very regular postal friendship, I must say, since hearing from you that I do look forward to our letters.
No, I hope you don’t oversleep, it wouldn’t do to ‘miss the bus’ would it, but I know what a temptation it is to lay on for 10 minutes. I always light up a cig. At that time to get up, usually when on early turn, the night cook brings round some teas which always wakes one up best of all, (that’s my job for a fortnight) and a cig. Helps too, but it’s a bad habit.
Well, since you mention it, about the future, and work etc: one doesn’t know. I agree, that there’s a lot in favour of not being one’s own boss, up to a point, but on the other hand, being one of a thousand, does very much restrict one, and thwarts ambition, if the person has individuality, and a progressive mind. For instance your, or my old job, is OK for the people who only ask of life, a regular wage, a home and family, and are content with the humdrum things of life, there are thousands like that, the average chap in the army is content to drift along without much worry, or even a full sense of responsibility, it all depends upon one’s character and type There’s a whole lot to that, but more when I’ve more time to write and explain.
Expect by now, Dad and Pat have returned, refreshed in body and mind I hope, by their holiday, do write and tell me all about it. Expect it was a change for you both, especially Auntie, who must be very lonely at times. I expect my Dad has altered very much, 3 years is a long time, and with so much having happened, poor mother’s passing, he will have aged I don’t doubt. Pat needless to say is no longer the schoolgirl as I remember her, when she wore pigtails, and I believe put apples in my bed on my last leave. I had the other day, quite a business-like letter from her, she commenced in type but switched over to writing, to ‘get more in’ she says.
Oh, that’s alright about the postcards René, any time I have any views I’ll be only too pleased for you to have them, and if I have another snap taken, not a studio one, will let you have it.
Good, glad you didn’t object to going to a film show. Six months, that makes it February, with luck I should be out of the army by then. I think that’s only an excuse for not dancing, anyway perhaps I could persuade you to change your mind, I’m not very good at all, only foxtrot, waltz and a few chestnuts and glides, not exactly a Caesar Romano, or whatever he is called! Another thing, being a conductress shouldn’t make you a non-dancer! Anyhow, it’s a relief to know a girl (if I may still call you that) who doesn’t value life by the number of dances and late nights she can have.
I seem to have reached this stage with no disturbances at all, it’s nearly 4 now, so must draw to a close. Another 10 pages and this would be a long letter again wouldn’t it? I’ll promise to write again tomorrow, perhaps shall have more time, as I don’t like to rush writing.
How’s Aunt Kitty? Please give her my best wishes.
At this rate René, if we keep it up, we shall exchange a lot of letters shan’t we? If I go away on my English course which I hope they’ve not forgotten, I shan’t be able to write quite so often, but of course I’ll tell you when and if I go.
Meanwhile, look after yourself, don’t run up and down too many steps, or isn’t it a double decker?
Cheerio for now,
Best wishes,
Very sincerely
Eric
