A letter ! Arrived today & posted as recently as the 13th ! Splendid Postie. But there’s a big gap, I’m sure. Because Mrs Dalrymple – Hay has blustered & floundered into my life here in the desert & me quite unprepared for her ! If I remember aright your last letter was from Romsey & you were leaving in two days time. Doubtless postie will collect them up. This last one was addressed MEF. Maybe the others are coming from C.M.F.

We came back by train this afternoon, Fox & I arrived back in camp at 2o/c having lunched on the train, a wagon-lits scenic coach. We’re all very active preparing to hand over the soldiers & we even may move the camp tomorrow, unless I win a battle against great odds. But that’s a long story. Anyhow here I am in our tent-Mess & I go to Alex towards the end of this week. First to 4 Group & later maybe to 1003 as 2i/c. But use the 4 Group address for now. Use it as much as you like.

                        I was enchanted with the tale of Edward-in-the-Fur, & Richard’s pleasure in it. Dear me, this child who likes jokes.

                        And poor dear you, with Nonie calmly asking you to take trunk calls if Eric comes home ! Whys he coming home ? He joined after us didn’t he ? But it’s no use grousing. I have often dreamed of those 28 days, too, so very often, more than I have dared to let myself say. But I fear they have gone, now no one within six months of Release can go on a LEAP & anyhow groups up to 27 are ineligible. So more fortitude & I am sorry I seem the least eager to come home.’Tis not so ! But release is not far off, & for myself I’ve the good fortune of all the sights & sounds & new work which is a fine time accelerator. Poor dear you have only the same old round & the same unnatural life. I do feel they’ll speed up the Release now, somehow. And when I see people going home I console myself with the thought that if I’d been overseas three years there’d have been no Richard John. Of the Africa Star & Dickie I’d choose the latter every time. You’ll need the tolerance & patience of an angel, though, if Eric does come home. Poor lonely darling. I’ll come.

                        And the four American Lieutenants sound nice, & of course they love you we all do only me a bit more than anyone else because I have the privilege of knowing you best.

                        As for Ronnie tell him to go Boil His Head. I won’t have you drained of energy by him. He needs to Kick her bottom. The Eastern ways are not without their wisdom !

                        It’s the middle of September. We’ve some weeks to the end of October, November to do & then it’ll be a matter of a couple of weeks & I’ll be on my way home ! If any chance of speeding it up should come, I’ll take it, believe you me. I do hope they are clearing people out of the erstwhile “Essential Industries” really fast, because we are all led to believe that that is the cause of the delay in demobilisation ! If you get a  send it to Anthony Eden, he’ll love it, being in Opposition !!!

                        Do cheer up, my Hearty, we’re in the same boat, & we shall get together & you’ll have this wonder child to show me, & yourself.

I do love you & I Wanna go Home !