2 October 1960
My dear Len and Margaret
This is Sunday afternoon, the weather is miserable and dull and colder. Dad has lit a fire in the front room. This is our first fire this Autumn, but I know that Rose who is always so cold is longing for a fire. She is having her bath and doesn’t know that she will have the pleasant surprise to see a fire when she gets in the room. Not that I think it will be warmer than with the stove but it will be a brighter outlook to see the blaze of a burning fire, it’s really what it amounts to.
Many thanks for the two letters received one after the other, well I will say that I was a bit put out by the first letter on account that there was no mention about my unfortunate fall. This made me wonder if I had told you about it, but this kind of a happening, I could not have failed to mention it. I thought at first you had just forgotten but that you would speak on it on the next letter.
Well the following day to the first letter received, another one arrived. I told Dad and Rose that I knew what the contents of this second letter was. I was right and pleased that at least something had been said from ‘Greenlees’, not that I was looking for sympathy don’t you think, but just something mentioned about it. My cut finger is getting on very well now, it’s about healed, but I keep it wrapped yet so I don’t hurt it and perhaps make it bleed. I would not like this to happen. My thumb has now improved these last days. I caught it rather badly. I think in a couple of days it will be about normal.
As Len says if Mrs G had been alive and also known about my fall she might have said I was a silly woman, the same as she did when you were a small boy. You must have a good memory Len, to remember these old stories. I have forgotten all about it, but as I think about it, it seems I have a slight recollection. I don’t know if it was because you didn’t have a scarf or coat on, this old lady did not take long to let you know what she thought of you, did she?
Now Len, you’re going a bit far telling me I did not tell you what we had to eat when we went to the Grand Hotel. I had told you everything else but not what we ate. Well I think it’s asking a lot of your old Mother to see if she can remember what we had, because you would all like to know. I have puzzled my brain and also asked the family if they can help me. I will tell you as far as I have been able to gather.
Arthur and Nick had asparagus, with sauce, chicken and wine, Roselle and Margaret had melon, veal, wine and veg. Kay had the same too. Doreen soup, veal, veg, ice cream. Charles soup, veal, chicken and wine, Father soup, scampi, veal and veg, bottle of lager, and lastly Mother soup, fish, steak, veg, ice cream, black coffee. In fact we all had coffee, some white and some black with liqueur in it of course. I had plain black with only sugar in it, I was the modest one.
I’ve told you as far as I can remember. I think I’ve done very well. If at any time we have another gathering I will try not to forget telling you about the eats, but these gatherings are costly, they must be few and far between.
We notice that Len is one of the selected managers permitted to lend money without supervision of any kind. This is very nice, they must think you capable and trustworthy in your work, and must be very satisfied the way you are getting on. This must be very encouraging to you to feel such wide powers are given you. I’ve forgotten when you are going North, I think it’s one of these days, I hope the weather is not too severe the time you are travelling out there. How long will it take you before you are back again? Be very careful with your car, don’t speed.
What are you doing with yourself these days Margaret? As usual very busy I’m sure, there is always so much to do with the children and housework. Have you got any help? I guess Susan can help when she is not at school. I guess now that Roselle is at school you can get on better with your work. How is John getting on with his rugby? This is good exercise for him, is he a little quicker that he used to be? How is Paul getting along? Has he still got his lovely large eyes? Ah well, your family is growing now, time certainly goes by very swiftly.
We will be going to tea at Kay’s on Wednesday. I think Aunt B will come also. She will find herself here about 5 o’clock, Arthur will call for us at about 5.50. all being well we will go for our weekly drive on Tuesday. We did not go last week. Ron was over here, he’s gone back now.
Kay asked me to go to town last Thursday AM and to meet her for coffee. I told her I didn’t think I would go, that I did not have any business to do in town. I found it was too much bother to start dressing up just for a couple of hours and get back and undress quickly to get the lunch ready. It was left at that, but on Wed eve, Kay phoned and told Roselle to tell me that she would be waiting for me in the Arcade at 10.45. I had no choice but to find myself at the appointed hour. Father did not come to treat us this time, he came along with me to find Kay, then he went on his way. Oh yes, we had asked him to join us, but nothing doing. I paid the bill. 3/- and a 6d tip. So you see I was poorer when I got home than when I had left, and nothing to show for that money. Yes, it’s true I had enjoyed the coffee and a currant bun. Kay had tea and a bun.
Doreen and Nick are back from their holiday. They came back on Thursday eve. They had enjoyed their holiday very much, they went to Hayes for a few days and stayed with Enid. They are quite pleased with their holiday, so now the twins are back home again. Doreen found they had put on weight and were both looking well. Enid sent me a tin of shortbread biscuits, very kind of her.
She shouldn’t really have done so. I guess it was because we had entertained her husband when he came over a few months ago.
This is about all I can think of today. I’ve not done too badly, have I?
Hope you are all well and fit.
Love from us 3
Lovingly Mother
