305 ORPHANAGE ROAD ERDINGTON BIRMINGHAM
3rd. December 1936
Dear Betty,
Poor dear, what a Hell of a Day ! No trip to London, your Mother unwell and not even the consolation of our evening here. Never mind, take consolation from the fact that by the Law of Averages, there must be a whale of a good time coming to compensate.
I’m very sorry, about your Mother, I do hope the scare proves to be not so bad as it seems. Make her take care of herself, but Mothers are cruel drivers of themselves, mine is as well. I do hope some better news comes when you write again.
Of course the Fantasticks must amuse themselves on Monday. I will send them full details of what they have to do and some new numbers to make them happy. That always cheers them up. Then they can lump it. I nearly risked my living by being awkward about this evening or tomorrow with the Dairy, which is Eileen, but thought better of it. But I am not going to let any blasted Fantasticks interfere, so there ! Book Monday whatever you do and come and listen to the wireless. Something good will be on. I’ll come to your place soon, but it is sort of more secluded here when we have so brief a time.
I have evolved a Good Idea, I will borrow Eileen’s car one evening, she is always asking me to test it out for her, and I’ve travelled miles taking her places in my car in the past, and we’ll go to the cottage and you can tell your Mother that you will be home Very Late, as you will, and you can get away early and we’ll meet in Town and drive like hell to the country and stay there for six or seven hours on end. I’ll play the gramophone and we’ll cook a real supper and walk my fields and look at the trees, to which I shall introduce you, and I’ll arrange a moon. This won’t be Monday, but as soon as I can manage it. Doesn’t that sound more cheerful ?
And don’t weep, Verboten, definitely. Makes your eyes red, anyhow, and that’s illegal.
And you won’t be “dragging me out” on Monday, as you say, because I’ll fly, I’d have to be fragged, no drugged, there. I can’t refuse my bread and butter work but all else can go to the blue skies and stay there. I don’t live in London so why practise being separated by a hundred miles when its only ten between us.
Another idea. You go to Romsey for Christmas, I to Southgate. Couldn’t we meet in London on Boxing or the next day for lunch and a walk in the park and perhaps a mild show. Or dinner perhaps ? Think it over and bring some constructive plans with you on Monday.
I’m in the office all day today, proof reading and flying about, and I’m doing this in a nice conventional “dinner hour”. I came up in Eileen’s car, she likes me to use it, says it does it good !
And the King isn’t half getting in a mix up with his Mrs. Simpson. He’ll have to look out, you can’t choose a wife against the ancient British Government, Parliament and the Law. Shades of Cromwell are stirring again !
I must away to Town for the office, it’s after two. Cheer up, and what Ho for Monday. Say its all right, its the only evening next week. All others will be Dairyfarmery, afternoons and some mornings as well.
Oh, a point, I’m not “crazy about” Jack !!! I like the man, tease him and consider his friendship worth more than that of anyone in trousers I’ve ever met. But we are fiercely diffident and friendly in the most critical manner. I’m glad he talked to you like a father, and especially glad that he warned you about leading me astray ! He’s concerned I think. You won’t, will you, because I’m easily led and you know the reputation your sex has got for misleading us poor innocent males. He told me not to lead you astray so the old boy seems to be very upset and frightened. He can have his revolution all to himself but damn it we’ll have our thrills as well. Our does less harm to people than, his hobby.
Cheer up, my hearty, and write gayer. I shall return here on Saturday morning as I am staying at the Erskines tonight and tomorrow. I’m taking the fiddle so that I can play with Mrs. E, who is musical. There’s a hell of a lot of work to be done as well, so we’ll have to swat all day and most of the night, and we’ll probably quarrel like blazes at the end, we always do.
And now, farewell, and buck up. Write swiftly saying you are bucked up. And remember Monday. Fantasticks are old enough to rehearse themselves. I’ve even put the orchestra off on Tuesday to have Monday free, 