Letters to America Letters to America
December 2nd, 1944 |
 Home | February 7th, 1945
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Dear Joan,
I have had a nasty cold all this weekend, and both yesterday and today didn’t get up until midday. It isn’t often I get colds as bad as that. It was really due to the fact that I had it on Friday and should have gone off to bed early when I got home, but it was the day of our departmental party and I had promised to take Mummy along this year, Mrs. Kemp having agreed to come up and look after the twins. So I had to go out again and that finished me off. Anyway I feel much better now and went out for a stroll this afternoon as it was nice and warm and sunny. We met Anne outside the church where she goes for her Sunday School(1) and all four went for a walk.
Yesterday the twins had a great day out. Betty took them out for the day, it being her day off duty. They went off at nine in the morning and went to Selfridges(2) in Oxford Street. After that they went over to Norbury where Betty’s mother and father live, and had lunch with them all, the party including Betty’s two sisters, Pauline and Valerie. They didn’t get home until a quarter past ten at night. Mummy and I were just beginning to worry and at ten o’clock had decided to give them another quarter of an hour, and then I was going off to phone Betty’s mother to see if they had decided to stay the night over there. We thought perhaps there had been a raid warning over there and they hadn’t been able to get away.
It was very nice of Betty to devote her day off to taking them out, wasn’t it? She has wanted to for a long time and I think she enjoyed it as much as they did. She said her mother had got many laughs out of the twins who kept up a prattle all day as far as we can make out. In the train from Norbury to Victoria, London, an Air Force officer divided a bar of chocolate between them and said he hoped that would stop them talking for a while!
Well, Joan, next weekend is Christmas and it has been an awful job trying to get toys for the children. I told you I had made some and if it hadn’t been for that I don’t think we should have bought anything, the toys in the shops being simply terrible. The prices are much too high and the quality is absolutely appalling. Next year is bound to be as bad and so I propose to start collecting presents on January 1st!
Lots of love, Joan darling, and a Very Happy New Year to you all.
Daddy
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My darling Joan,
Only one more week to Christmas and I guess you’re all getting as excited as the twins! This time next week (all being well) we shall be with Auntie Rosie.
Yesterday John and Anne had a lovely time. Betty took them up to London in the morning and they actually had ice-cream! And after they had been into a very large shop they went on to her home which is at Norbury. Betty has two sisters and I think they all spoiled John and Anne. After dinner they all went to Croydon(3) and one of the stores there had a circus – not very big, but it delighted the twins. They didn’t arrive home until 10 o’clock and I was getting quite anxious, but they came in very tired and extremely happy, with some books and two oranges. I do think it was kind of Betty to take them, don’t you? But she said she couldn’t find anything to buy them for Christmas and it was her treat.
On Friday evening Daddy took me to his departmental Xmas party and we had good fun. Of course there was lots of dancing and a jitterbug contest. I thought of you, but just couldn’t imagine you doing it. Do you still practise dancing with Teddy? You know I can’t dance (you must give me a few lessons when you come home) but early in the evening the M.C.(4) told everyone to get on the floor in partners and march round. When that was done, the band stopped and he said “Now I’ll tell you why I’ve got you here – a rolled piece of paper is to be passed round and when the music stops, the couple with the paper must do as it says”. Well, Daddy and I were the first caught and what do you think it was? We had to give a demonstration of a passionate embrace! And everyone looking on. I felt awful but it made fun. There was a raffle during the evening for a parcel of groceries and they asked me to pick the ticket. Luckily I didn’t pick one of my own - it would have looked bad, wouldn’t it?
Daddy had not been well for a few days – a very bad cold – he doesn’t often get them as badly as this, but he has rested well and we have doctored him up and he is feeling much better tonight. This afternoon we met Anne from Sunday School and went for a short walk. It was so nice and sunny and quite warm.
I made my Christmas puddings this week and they smell good. Hope they taste as well. I must make some little cakes or something tomorrow for the twins to take to school on Tuesday as they (their class I mean) are having a little party.
I do hope Teddy’s foot is progressing well and everyone in good health. Please give my love to Auntie Mary and everyone, and thank you, dear, for your letter Nov. 12th received this morning. Hope you will get a badge for your mittens.
Lots and lots of love from all of us, darling
Your loving Mummy
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Dear Joan,
Thank you very much for sending me such a nice card. It was very kind of you to think of me. Glad to hear that you are getting on so well at school. You seem to like the movies by what I hear. Do you know that Anne has joined the Brownies? She likes it very much but John has not got a friend to take him. But he does not mind. He is not one to go out much – he likes stopping at home better than going out.
Auntie Rosie’s baby is getting a nice boy. He is full of fun, such a merry little soul. So is Auntie Maud’s baby. She can walk now. Margaret also is a very pretty girl. She is also very smart. She looks as if she will be clever when she goes to school.
Now dear Joan, with best love, trusting that you are keeping well and bright.
From your loving Nana Risley
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PS
Please do give my kind regards to Mrs Grasshoff
Auntie Rosie and George send their best wishes.