Friday, 9 - Sunday, 11 July, 1943

ABERTILLERY                                                                                                  39.

Friday.  9-7-43

My Own Darling,

This morning Kit and I made a special journey to the general post office of the above town, to get some Air Letters.  Believe it or not – they hadn’t any.  Consequently I am having to write you an ordinary letter until I can go home and get some Air Letters.

We have not been able to go far to-day as the weather is not too good.  We are going out to supper to-night and it is time I was getting ready so I guess I had better continue this letter to-morrow.

Another Aunt and her boy friend are expected here to-morrow so it will make nine in the house (what a house-full).

10 p.m.                                                                                                   10-7-43

The other relations have arrived and what a noise there is to be sure.  One cannot hear oneself think.  There is also a friend here making tea.  We have just finished having a sing-along round the piano.  When we had finished, Gary, (Kit’s cousin) played the theme from the Warsaw Concerto. Of course it took my memory back to the first few months of our relationship, Darling, how I wish you were here with me.  I am missing you more and more as each day of my holiday goes by.  I love you so very much more than I can ever put on paper – as you know.  I never thought that I would miss anybody as I am missing you.  There is only one thing I hope and pray for each day and that is for the end of the war and your safe return.

Kit and I went to the hairdressers this morning.  We went at 9.30 a.m. and did not get back until 1.30 p.m.  Pride must abide!

This afternoon we did nothing but lounge around and then we went to the pictures.  The picture was not worth seeing.  It was called “My Son Alone” and was a soft cowboy film.

Sunday  11-7-43

What a day!  It has done nothing but rain and rain, with the result that we have been confined to the house.

Our time has been spent in looking through the “Family Album” and trying to get a few tunes our of an ancient gramophone and a few scratched records.

We have had every news on the wireless.  We are all following the events very closely now, since the landings in Sicily – (myself in particular).

Kit has just been trying to persuade me to stay here another day and go home Tuesday instead of to-morrow.  If the weather continues like this it is no good staying but if it improves we are going to stay.  We have decided to wait until we wake up in the morning and decide then.  We shall send telegrams home then to let our people know.

According to a letter which I received yesterday from Vera, Dad is in bed with the ‘flu.  He will be ready to go for a holiday.

You know, in spite of the fact that we have had to stay in to-day we have had quite a jolly day.  It would be impossible to be dull here.  They are such a lovely family and so homely.

I would be really fat if I stayed here very long.  The amount of food put before us is terrific.  I guess I shall soon lose the little I have gained once I get back to the G.H.N.

I think that I have scribbled enough nonsense now (to tell you the truth I cannot think of anything else to tell you)  My grey matter is completely exhausted – it does not stand much strain you know.

Until to-morrow then Darling, all my love, yours ever, Grace  xxxxxxxxx