Your letter sent on the 18 came today. I was misunderstood ! I loved Fitz’s letter but his glowing description of you shook me. Because I have to try sometimes to imagine you as just normally wonderful, if I imagine you as you are I snorts & paws the ground & neighs & jumps about. He was very complimentary & very sweet & nice. He didn’t mean you are voluptuous, he just meant voluptuous. You are sylph or non sylph. For me your all voluptuousicly be you never so gossamer. But whatever your shape I’m bewitched. I am to blame. It was a nice letter. And “phoney jewelry” was modesty, not cynicism. I did actually think it rather nice but it’s not jewelry, sapphires & emeralds & rubies & things. All clear. Hurray.

                        Also came the 4 envelopes with the 8 Dickie pictures. The laughing one is grand, how he roars. And he does like Rafaelo. Bless us all, how I shall cherish those pictures. Fair fills the pram, too, doesn’t he. Good Richard. 7 months now ! Grrrr.

                        Oh, the play hasn’t come out yet, it’s still in the mind. I’ve been a little too busy. Ordinary work + a burst of Welfare & Entertainment for the men in our new swagger recreation room, & one thing & another. Italian lessons & our unit films, concerts & ladida. So niente play. Alas. I will.

                        Oh, the new job. I had the interview yesterday. At 3o/c. And ex announcer now a major, who flew from Algiers to see me. He had often announced my schools shows. Many common friends, not all common, let’s say mutual, & a most agreeable hour. We discussed the job & my part & his & this & that & the other. He had been sent to see if my claimed qualifications have foundation. Also what I was like. Apparently he liked me, I like him. His last words were “well cheerio, I expect you’ll hear from us in a week or two. I can’t promise a lot in the way of promotion but I can promise you a lot of fun”. I may go elsewhere, but it’s likely it’ll be here. A different mess & the new job, quite new, I’m not at all clear yet how it will work out. It may be coordinating ENSA & broadcasting. It may be organising a station. Time will show. I wonder if I’m wise, one will miss faces. But it’ll be work I can really do. Whether or not it will bring me home  or not I can’t say. 1021 might sail for home the day after I leave. I may get home if only for a visit to B.H. quite soon. I may be here or elsewhere for years to come. One can’t tell. I hope I am wise. But I haven’t got the job yet. The interview was most promising though. It may be cushy, it may be very tough. Who knows. You approve ? I miss you at times like this, I miss you all the time.

                        Oh, the Maestrangelo family, at least Mére & fille. I go for Italian & they have read & love my book which I leant them. They love England & wept over Preston Prior. They love you & Mother, & are very friendly. They are like a spencer vague relative. Natalie’s dreadfully Eileenish, but not so practical. Mrs. Mdm or La Signora Maestrangelo was born in Russia & educated at the Imperial Academy. They speak perfect Russian, English, Italian, Swiss, German & Spanish. She’s a Swiss, actually. But she has a cousin she is fond of in MOSELEY! Believe it or not. They’ve had no news of them. Will you telephone :- Mrs PROCTOR, 46 BLENHEIM ROAD, MOSELEY, B’ ham. She’s the wife of a dentist, Alfred Proctor. Telephone her & say I am learning Italian from signorina Natalie Maestrangelo, & that her mother & her send their love etc. to her. Give Mrs Proctor my address if you like & she can write that way to the Maestrangelos. They’re very well & fit & O.K. It’s all very odd ! Blenheim Road was where Frank lived.

                        I sent off the olive oil & the studs today & some hair things. The little felt man is to give you an idea. You can do better I know.

                        Your son is handsome & fun & gay & nice & such a person. Oh, a letter from J.G.L. defending industrial strikes in wartime. I call it cheating to bargain at such times. But never mind all that.

                        No Lanave for a few days while the paint dries. I start again towards the end of the week. Hope he finishes before the new job starts, if it does. It’s all very exciting, the new job & the picture. I do hope you like it. It’s for you & Richard. I loved the little love message in the photos envelopes. You are nice pair. I bet you’ll often be naughty when you’re grown up, 33 & 6, & do things in a considerate manner. I’ll find out, though. And Greengage trees are verboten !

                        I must write more clearly. Sorry. I get so excited. Dear  letter from Gwen. The nice person. So is Fitz. How’s Michael. Bless you, you’re so attractive, you don’t know. I shall play whatever cards I have in this new job for a trip home. But very little hope though. I’ll be a very junior member of the A.B.S. (Army Broadcasting Service).

                        I do feel fit ! Terrific. Like a lion. A young lion. Oh dear. And you in the pink & rosebud !!! Me in Khaki. Postie has been dilatory, no less for a week and then today’s. But a batch may come. I do hope so. Your letters are so precious & I’m NOT a SINK, I am as gullible as ever I was & just as stoopid. And even more fond of you. Oh dear. But I’ll be walking down lovers lane, when I come marching home.

A lovely night it is & me all Shippy at the docks & you in bed.

Poor dear with the Tummy Bubbles. Poor you to. I’d help if I were there.