Monday, 29 May, 1944

G.H.N.

29-5-44                                                                               (132)

My Very Own Darling,

It is perfect “Whit Monday” weather.  It has been really hot all day.*  I have felt very glad that we are not busy as it has been too hot to do much work.

At the moment I have only eight patients on the ward.  I can hardly believe it until I look around and see the empty beds.

Of course there is still enough work to do.  We have all been busy making bandages and cutting up extra “stock” (cotton wool, etc.)  That sort of work however is far less strenuous than running around looking after twenty or thirty patients.  As we “take in” again in just over a week’s time we might as well make the most of this brief respite.

That however is enough shop.  How have you spent Whitsun, Darling?  Have you been busy or have you been able to take a short holiday?

For myself I have been on duty most of the time as it is Sister’s week-end off.  I am writing this on duty whilst awaiting the night nurse.

There has been a band playing in the Castle grounds most of the day which has attracted crowds of people.  Nottingham people seem to have “that holiday feeling”.

Writing about holidays reminds me that mine are drawing closer.  Only five more weeks to go.

An hour later

The night nurse arrived so I am finishing this in my room.

I spoke too soon about the weather as the rain has started to pour down.  It looks as if we are in for a jolly good storm.  It does not worry me as I did not intend going out this evening.  I am too busy sewing.  This time I am making a “short blouse” in pale blue material, patterned with a navy blue polka dot.  Hope that has conveyed to you some idea of what it is like.  I have also made something else in the same material but it is one of those “unmentionables”.  No more then Darling – Good-night and all my love.  Every yours, Grace  xxxxx

* The temperature on 29 May, 1944 reached 32.8 degrees C and this stood as the highest temperature reached in May in the UK until 26 May, 2026, when the temperature reached 35.1 degrees C in Kew Gardens, London.

Could this be the pattern for the blouse that Grace was making?  We were certainly a household that never threw anything away!

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