Thursday, 27 May, 1943

G.H.N. (Selston)                                                                            (27)

27. 5.43   

My Own Darling,

I was very thrilled to receive letter 22 this morning, enclosed in which was the band from the cap of a member of Rommels once famous “Africakorps”.  I was pleased that it had come through alright and you will be pleased to hear that it arrived.  All the boys on my ward were very interested in it and it had to be passed round twice for them to have a good look at it.  I will certainly take it for John and Janet to see, at the first opportunity.

Your letter had only taken a fortnight to come.  Things are improving!  Yesterday was my day-off and I paid a visit to the G.H.N.  I went to collect my post and the office girl had just posted it on for me.  Consequently, I did not get it until this morning.

I started writing an ordinary letter to you yesterday but when your letter arrived this morning I felt that I must answer it by Air Letter as these do get to you quicker*.  I am afraid that you might find some items repeated in here from my other letter.  As I have previously mentioned, I was at the G.H.N. yesterday.  It was also another nurse's day-off.  We had lunch at the General and had fruit salad with a small portion of real orange in it!  We could hardly believe our eyes, we then went to see Joyce’s Aunt.  (She lives in Nott’m)  We had tea there and had plums.  We certainly were in luck's way.

As I sat eating the plums it reminded me of a day a few months ago (15 weeks ago today, to be exact) when we both tried to eat a dinner which neither of us felt the least bit like eating.  It was the last meal we had together Darling, remember?  I wonder how long it will be before we have our next meal together?

You know my Dear, when I receive your letters, you seem very close to me.  Especially when they are like the one I received this morning.  It was simply marvellous Darling.  To know that your love is still as deep as mine is for you.  I know that it will always be, dear, but I like to read it as often as I can, as I know you do too.

Of course, I would rather hear it from you but as that is impossible at the moment reading it is the next best thing.  As you said in your letter, perhaps that day is nearer than we thought it would be. 

By the way, do you remember that cover I was embroidering and could not get the silk to finish it?  You will be pleased to hear that I managed to get the silk yesterday.  I was so pleased about it.

I am wondering if you have received my photograph yet.  You ought to, by now.  Don’t forget will you that I am waiting for more snaps of you?  (Just a reminder).  Aren’t women impatient!!  They cannot wait five minutes for anything.  Just think, soon you might have to put up with me for the rest of your life – poor boy.

In one paragraph of your letter you say that I will not want you if you come home a haggard man with a wrinkled brow.  Darling, you know that I want you choose how you come home, so no more of that.  I love you too much to be put off by altered looks.

Au-Revoir, Precious.  Yours always, Grace  xxxxxxx

* This 'air letter', written on the 27th, is on an airmail letter form and would have arrived more quickly than the letter that Grace began yesterday.