Stan and Grace

Thursday, 9 a.m.      Darling, I am afraid that this letter will be rather short as I am in a terrific hurry.   Darling – what do you think?   I might get my nights off after all.   I have been doing a bit of wrangling.   Now don’t ask questions – I only said might and if I do I will tell you about it when I see you. I should know by to-night so will write and let you know by Saturday morning.   I will also let you know the time I expect to arrive in Doncaster. By the way – I don’t think that two suitcases will be enough for this memorable occasion.   There will be at least a dozen !!!! Until Sat. Darling – Bye-bye.   ‘Scuse the smudges, love Grace   xxxx

Home Forces Tuesday        My Darling, I got your letter this morning, & read the contents with great disappointment.   I have been dreading something like this happening ever since I arranged my leave. I am sorry to say that there is very little I can do about getting the leave changed I have either got to start it to-morrow & have ten days, or delay it & run the risk of being re-called half way through it.   You see the date which you mention in your letter is the date when all our leave is supposed to finish. Because I really want to see you very much before I leave this country (as it now appears there is every likelihood of my doing very soon) I have decided to risk things & delay starting my leave until Saturday.   That means that I shall finish it on December the 1 st with good luck (and if I am not recalled).   That would give us a couple of days together. I was telling the Colonel about the contents of your letter this morning & he wanted to ri

G. H. N. Sunday, 9 a.m.     My Darling, You will be surprised to receive this letter so soon after my last one but I am afraid I have a piece of bad news.   I cannot have my nights off next Sunday but I have to wait until the 27 th .   Isn’t it too bad?   I had a feeling that something was going to happen and it has. Do you think you could possible postpone your leave till the following week Darling? I tried my utmost to get the 22 nd but it was impossible.   Here’s what happened – two new wards have been opened and I have been put night staff nurse on one of them.   I was previously relief nurse and had relief nights off but now I have to have staff nurse's nights off and those that I want are booked up.   As it is, a friend of mine is postponing hers so that I might have them.   Do you see my dear – that how matters stand.   I am so sorry – I am a nuisance I know but this is only one of the things that we nurses have to put up with. Please let me know as soon as poss

The Nurses Home General Hosp. Nottingham 14.11.42         My Darling,   One week and one day!   Isn’t it a lovely thought?   Next week at this time you will be at home and I shall have only one more night to work.   The time cannot pass too quickly.   I am feeling ready for a few nights in bed too.   Or at least, the latter half of the night. By the way, don’t think that I took your bit of sarcasm seriously.   I did not really Darling – and if there is anything to forgive – well – it is forgiven and forgotten on my part.   I went to see Bud Abbott and Lou Costello yesterday morning, as I previously mentioned.   I have actually remembered the title – it was “Who Done It?”   It was alright and quite funny in parts but not as good as the previous one I saw of them. The night has been a very busy one for me.   Something happened which, in hospitals is considered pretty dreadful, and of course, your truly, was in on it.   A patient died on the theatre table.   Mr Neil was do

G.H.N. 7.10 p.m.  Tuesday    My Precious Darling, I have just received your letter, which has given me fresh energy with which to face the night.  It is amazing what a difference a letter makes isn’t it?  Or at least, it makes a difference to me. I can hardly wait for the next twelve days to pass, when letters will not be necessary but we shall be together.  It seems ages since I last saw you – if only the time would pass quicker! It sounded good – reading about a blazing fire.  It seems months since I was sitting in front of one.  The next time I sit by one I hope there will be one other person there to share it with me.  Do you know who that might be? We have the central heating on here but it is not the same as a fire.  Ah well, I suppose we are helping the war effort. I too am hoping the weather will be kind to us but even if it rains every day we shall be at home, which is certainly better than being in Nottingham. If the weather is alright we will have that lo

G. H. N. Saturday, 11.30 p.m.    My Own Darling, As I am having to write this in a dim, shaded light with two irrational patients – one either side of me – well – I am afraid that you will have to excuse any errors. Were you ever taught that “sarcasm is the lowest form of wit?”   I am referring to the first sentence in your last letter, about the short letter which I sent.   I admit – it was short but would you rather have that than none at all? Did you enjoy the dance and did you get any partners? I am looking forward to us going to a dance together again but it will have to be one of the “local hops” owing to the buses.   How about going to one at Lundwood?   (My turn to be sarcastic now).   A fortnight to-night Darling and we shall be together again.   Not that I need to remind you. It does seem to take my letters a long time to reach you.   I wonder how it is? Tonight I am the extra nurse on.   Up to now I have been having a busy night.   I started off in Casualty D