»  Letter: Tuesday, May 21, 1974

 

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  Transcription of Letter

From
M^rs J.R. Derbyshire
62 Friars Avenue
Delapre
Northampton N.N.P. P.4.X.
England

To
M^r John Derbyshire Bsc.
2, Harbor Lane,
New Rochelle
N.Y. 10805
U.S.A.

Tuesday.   May 21^st

My darling Son

I'm sitting at my desk in your room while Dad is putting a second coat of paint on the living room ceiling. We did the dining room last week. Then I shall paint woodwork & walls, hope to be finished by week-end. We had an estimate for ceilings alone — £48 — so we decided to have a go. Its hard work though. It hasn't been done since you did ceilings I think 5 years ago. Dad thanks you for letter received today he loves it when you write to him & blesses you a thousand times. Monday am was hot then dark clouds came & have stayed!

Darling, I'd love to buy something nice for your birthday, but think it will have to wait till you get over. I shall buy you a gold signet ring or of your choice to make up for Xmas & birthdays whiles you are abroad. Its too chancey & expensive to send parcels. You know we shall be thinking of you. You have given us a great deal of happiness & pride in you, my darling & we thank God for you — both of course. We chuckle at your comments & glad you have good friends & are well & happy. It is a year now since I saw you. One day I was having coffee & I saw a tall young man come to the top of the step & gaze around & for a split second, my heart leapt & I thought "My Johnnie" My coffee nearly choked me. One of the waittresses, her name M^rs Driver, always asks about you, she remembers you from the "Clipper" days.^[1] Remember at Adams' Cafe. She calls me Skinny! now.

Allan has the house up for sale at £7,250. I hope they get it, if so they'll make £3,000 on it. I worry in case they don't sell before they give their jobs up, as they hope to go in July. They are away this week-end but I'm having Tess next week, we both love that. She's very tall & quite sharp. I shall miss her. Well, my darling. You sound happy. good luck, take care.

Loving you as ever.

X  X  X  X  X  X  X  X    Mother

Dad will write when he's recovered!!