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Transcription of Letter
From
Mrs J.R. Derbyshire
62, Friars Avenue
Delapre
Northampton
England
To
Mr John Derbyshire
14, Legion Drive
Valhalla
New York 10595
U.S.A.
Jan 26th
My dear Son,
thought it time I wrote to you, so, while Dad snoozes here goes. It's trying to snow &
bitterly cold, we've also had quite frightening gales with much damage round about & trees down. We are having a
smaller gas fire fitted
today, it might save a bit, though we rarely need this one on full.
Auntie Cis has night
storage heaters & her bill is nearly £70 that's not having
them full on. Our electricity
bill was nearly £30, & going up again in April. I don't know how old folks with no second pension manage or
even young folks with little
children. We go from bad to worse. Never mind my love.
I've booked my flight from June 18th to July 18th. I hope that's
O.K by you. & your friend if I'm to stay with you. I'll "work" for my keep & am so excited at the
thoughts of seeing you. I've paid
£37 deposit & am insured against sickness, accident, theft, loss of luggage etc. Have to pay £107 by
March 18th no
problem though. Have my new passport which lasts 10 yrs & now have to get a visa. I'm told I don't need
vaccination. Judy says she's dying for
me to go & come back to tell her all about it.
They've been very upset this last week. A little girl of 10 from Judy's school was cruelly &
brutally murdered last week. She was beaten, skull fractured, sexually assaulted & her little body half burned. Her
parents found her in an old
shed at the bottom of the garden. This was in Balfour Road. She was crossing the garden to go to a tea party.
Tess was scared to go to bed so I had her here most of last week.
They've got the fellow, someone
from Wooton. Judy was really depressed, she said it makes her feel that
Tess is at a vulnerable age
& she's scared to let her out of her sight. She's such a friendly little soul & so innocent of any evil at this
age. Judy would go mad
if anything happened to her, so should we.
Well, my darling, I will keep you posted, I know the flight is on a Friday, but there'll be details
later. It is a Jetsave flight from Heathrow & Judy says she'll take me to the Airport. I hope you feel better for
your wonderful trip, I read it
over & over. I still think you work too hard. Do take care, see you soon.
Love you,
Mother.
Did you make the steak & kidney pie, I think I'll bring a cook book
with me & make you both
some old favourties!!