Isn’t the enclosed letter sweet ! Cry making. It came by registered post with ten shillings in it. Ten whole shillings. Corn in the bang middle of Egypt. Bless them all. Do let Jim or someone know how touched I was. I’ve written officially to Norman Fletcher. Send the letter back, or put it in the press cuttings book.

                        Your letter came today, too; another pleasant surprise. What a dear letter, it was terrific. And you comment on just the same things that I mentioned in yesterday’s letter. We’re us all right. I thought of you all day, & especially in the evening. I’m looking forward eagerly to your account of Candy’s greeting.

                        Oh, we’re caught up in some Divisional manoeuvres, 100,000 men are dealing with an invasion, & B Battery only are in it from this regiment. So we’re all C.B. for seven days, standing to to go & manoeuvre. No leave, no sleeping out, no one allowed outside the barracks from dawn tomorrow. What a blessing you didn’t stay! We’d only be able to talk through the bars ! The squad is grumbling, but I’m happy about it. I wasn’t going out anyhow ! And we may have some fun.

                        Today we played with motorcars & detached parts & attached them again, & this afternoon we whizzed round & round the Good old Burniston triangle. I was in a Ford V 8. today, a lovely speed wagon. I’m quite at home in a lorry now, & have no qualms. The new drivers all getting on well, too. After the drive we had a film on the working of an I.C. engine. It was a brilliant piece of work. The densest man couldn’t help learning how it works. We have a lot of these films, 2 a week.

                        Oh, will you also send the proofs of the novel, & pyjamas. & top & bottom of each, not two tops & two beginnings. Bless you !

                        I want full details of the garden & the village & the house & people.

                        If the rains not too bad in half an hour Dickie Dedman & I are venturing out to the fish & chip shop. Everyone else is out, as it’s the last chance for a week.

                        I’m in because I’m room orderly Cinderella. So I haven’t gone to the office. Tomorrow I hope to. The barrack room will be full in the evenings.

                        The concert was all right. The audience was kindly disposed & it lacked polish, rehearsals are almost impossible, everyone’s on duty. But Hewlett did a good job with limited material & some of the turns were really good. Some were not. On the whole creditable.

                        No more now, save my blessings & thank you for a grand holiday. I’ll be seeing you