Your letter of 4 Jan came today & two days ago two others. Bless you. I’ve  allowed three days to pass without writing but days have been hectic & trouble. But now it’s a fine cosy Sunday evening & your letter awaited me when I returned just now, at 9o/c from an outing. I had a staff -sergeant to get away on special leave to Cairo, where he is getting married, so I took him to Taranto myself with Allan. We deposited the passenger, lunched at the Officers Club & drove back via Brindisi, exploring en route an enchanting & unspoiled little town innocent of war & the allied army ! I dined at the Dock superintendents mess & here I am. In answer to an earlier question, yes, Cliff is still a Major. Did you mean to imply that he should be a Lt. Col. by now or that you’d be surprised to hear that he has retained his rank ? I gave him your love & he sends you his. Motoring with Allan was fun. I told him of our joyous motoring, our picnics & games, our jokes & meals at the wheel. We liked the change. And Missed Peter.

                        The troublesomeness has followed the Audit I’ve carried out. Derek & my predecessor had let things slide & not only was everything in a parlous pickle but Derek’s orderly room Sergeant had I’m sure been making a lot on the side. So I had to be fierce & neutral & ended with rather startling results & a Court of Inquiry. It caused a flutter in the dovecot, but all papers have been passed to H.Q. & we sit back & wait. Had to be. Meant long as of closest accountancy though. Hence tired to bed & no letters, & hence todays day off.

                        Opera last night with the Col. again (O. B. E. now, he’s so pleased) Cavallera R & Pagliacci. Very Very good. Very good. Dear me, how I’m going to love bringing you to Italy for the Opera. Remind me.

                        Your talk of the new hut idea. I have in mind a wooden one, double skin, on bricks, brick fireplace & simple furniture. Yes, we must have a fire to poke. Pick of the books of course, & state visits for you & Him. When he’s old enough I’d dearly like half an hour a day in the evening, for a tête a tête, tales & talks & discussions. I wonder if he’d play ? Probably think me stuffy.

                        That single polyphoto was delicious. I look at it so very often. Pin a few more onto air letters if you’ve not sent them to  He’s a good lad & I’ll be glad to have him back.
Nelson was 2nd officer on the Prometheus , the ship that took me safely to Sicily ! I doubt if I’ve his address. I’ll look see, a nice lad indeed he was. Good that the Erskines are friendly & like Dickie. Eating bowl indeed. His possessions. And a J.J.H. horse !! I say. dear J.J.H.

                        When you have all the plays complete, write a bold “The KINGS MESSENGER   AND OTHER PLAYS FOR CHILDRENS THEATRE”on a blank page, & put them in order, with For my son Richard John on another blank, & post them to J.C. with a little letter & cross your fingers. On the introduction put an arrow pushing THE K’s M. up to No. 1 &ecco !

                        Rugs. I’ll see: Difficult here. No one has anything hereabouts, Eyties or S/L. £92 – ? & ? !!! I say.  doing well. I’ll write plenty this week. Ideas flow for the book & the Colonel is sending little  bits repeatedly for his book !! And Bertha has asked, per pro the Director of Edn. Glasgow, for a 20 minute play for slow children, so my Job list is full.!!

                        Nice letter from Margaret Young this week. Love to your Mama, no longer Poorly Bad I hope.

                        Dear I do love you. And your so very grand & sweet. A phrase for you “To live is to beloved”.