Sunday, 10 January, 1943

The Nurses Home
General Hospital
Nottingham

1.30 a.m.  10 Jan: 1943  

My Precious Darling,

I really do not know how to start this letter.  There is so much I want to say but cannot find words in which to say it.  I suppose that your feelings will be much the same as mine and that you are now missing me as terribly as I am missing you.

24 hours ago I was in your arms Darling – but now I am sitting at a desk on which stands a shaded light trying to pen my thoughts and feelings to you.

Darling, I would like you to know that I do not regret anything that passed between us last night or any other night.  It was all too marvellous and it has made me look forward more than ever to the day when we shall actually belong to each other.

Do you remember the night you asked me – to borrow your ring?  I wonder if you realised how near to borrowing it I really was.  I wondered myself why I said not.  I don’t think it was will power that stopped me from doing so.  Maybe it was the thoughts of spoiling that which is in store for us.

Darling, at this moment my heart feels heavy and my whole being longs to be with you again.  I love you so very much.  You have changed my outlook on life completely and given me such happiness that I never thought existed.  Even though, at this moment I feel so terrible at us having to part I am looking forward to the future and our life together.  And now Precious, what I have not told you, you will have to guess for yourself but I think you know exactly what my feelings are.  I am afraid that I will have to use both sides of the paper.  I dare not “borrow” too much or Sister might become suspicious.

The journey back yesterday was dreadful.  I had to wait over an hour at Ollerton as the first bus would not take any more.  However, I arrived at the G.H.N. at ten to five feeling frozen and miserable.  I got to bed about 5.15 p.m. and managed to thaw a little by six-o-clock.  I think I dozed then for about an hour and then had to get into this horrid stiff uniform and so on duty.

Nan welcomed me back with open arms.  (The woman that made me the camisole.)  It appears that most people did not expect me back until Monday.  How I wish that I had stayed with you for two precious days.

I went to report to the Matron or who-ever was in charge, on my arrival, but I could not find anybody, so I did not waste much time looking.  I still have that pleasure to come.  I hope to see Kit when I go off duty this morning.

Talk about being notorious!!  I have never had so many people interested in me and my family before.  I think that almost every-body from night Sister to the most junior night probationer have asked me if all my worries are settled and enquired about my mother’s health.  To all of them I have replied “Yes thank you” and “She is improving”.

By the way, I thought that you might like to know that I have not missed any important lectures.  I have to get up on Monday at 5.30 p.m. for a lecture and stay up until 11.15 a.m. Tuesday for another one.  Of course, I was very pleased with that.

That however, is enough hospital twaddle.  I really must go and attend to one of my patients, that seems to think she needs my assistance.

All my love Darling, yours forever, Grace  xxxxxxxx

P.S. Give my love to all your family and I hope your journey back is better than mine.  I will try and have a letter waiting for you.

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