Sunday, February 27th, 1944

My dear Joan,

John and Anne have written you letters this week, but I think I should explain their drawings to you. We all went to the cinema yesterday afternoon and saw “Jane Eyre” and “Cinderella Swings It”. You might have seen them. But in the latter film some A.R.P. workers⁽¹⁾ are practising bandaging on a man (like Daddy would do to you) and they have both tried to draw a picture of it. I thought you might wonder what it was all about. “Jane Eyre” was a very good film, but so sad. Anne and I were very upset at the beginning and we cried a lot. It brightened a little later on, but I shouldn’t advise you or Auntie Mary to see it – it’s much too depressing.

We have had a rather hectic week with air-raids, and as John has told you, a bomb was dropped on the tennis court at the side of the Memorial Hall and another in the Rec⁽²⁾. But they were only very small ones and did little damage – so don’t worry.

Last Monday the children had a holiday and in the afternoon we went for a walk to Stanmore when I booked the chimney sweep (thus “killing 2 birds with one stone”). The twins wanted a train ride back so we caught the train to Wealdstone where we joined the queue for a bus. No sooner had we got on and paid the fare when I saw a queue - I said to Anne “that’s either for oranges or lemons!” “Let’s go and see”, she said, so off we got again and joined the queue. I did get five small lemons so we were quite lucky as it was Shrove Tuesday next day and we were able to have pancakes with lemon. John didn’t have any, but I have made them lemonade and he likes that. They were very juicy – I don’t remember when we had lemons last.

Last Monday too, the plumbers brought the new hot water tank quite unexpectedly, just as I was going to start the washing. I had to pull the boiler fire out, and so started a dreadful mess. Anyway, it is a good job finished and we hope this tank lasts longer than the last.

Today Daddy has been busy in the garden and on the allotment⁽³⁾, digging and sowing parsnip seed. He also finished pulling down the old glasshouse. We feel quite bare and open without it. Dora came around this morning and she wondered where the paper you both hung there had gone. Expect it blew down long ago – do you remember it? You made a list of games and the days you would play them. Dora has passed her examination at the Hendon Technical School and starts in April on a course for Domestic Science and Nursing. I think she wants to be a nurse.

Well darling, how are you? Well, I hope. Let us have a copy of your school report, won’t you? I’m looking forward to it. Hope you did well.

Give my love to Auntie Mary and everyone, and I hope all are well.

Best love and kisses, dear
from Mummy
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