»  Letter: Wednesday, September 30, 1981

 

—————————

  Transcription of Letter

From
J.R. Derbyshire
62. Friars Avenue
Delapre
Northampton
NN4 9PX

To
John Derbyshire
C^o/ Kopec^[1]
188 Voss Avenue
Apt B.  Yonkers
New York 10703.  U.S.A.

Sept 30^th 1981

My dear Son,

Surprize, surprize, & thank you, as you can imagine, we've all been wondering how you were faring. You still didn't tell me the sex of Mary's new baby!!^[2]  Keep trying dear, you'll succeed in the end.^[3]

Here is home news up to date. Dad had a very "funny turn" one evening last week. He called out from the kitchen & he was clutching the sink, his eyes closed & his skin yellow & clammy, but no pain in his chest. He wouldn't let go & said if he opened his eyes he'd fall. I got a chair & dragged him into the living room where he recovered, but was very shaken. He wouldn't have the "quack"  I think he had a mild cerebral disturbance — Kathie will explain^[4] — Anyway, he's hardly been out since though he seems his self again. (I'd already spent the insurance money!!). Naughty.!

On Saturday evening (39^th wedding anniversary) Judy's friend — Angela Scott invited us to dinner at her house. Dad wouldn't go but they picked me up & we had a superb dinner, Angela loves cooking, which is as well, as she has 6 menfolk, that is — her husband, 3 sons, twins of 16 & a boy of 12, her husband's pal & his son of 17, who've lived with them since his wife took off 10 years ago. They live in a most beautiful house in Park Avenue North. I wish the American critics of our food had been there, I must have had thousands of calories.

I talked to Wayne last week & they have applied to buy their house. They've had a surveyor & it's valued at £15,950  They have 9 yrs knocked off^[5] & can have it for £9000. Unfortunately, I saw Janet today & Wayne is now quite ill, he has infectious hepatitis — Kathie will explain — again!! — & cannot work for many weeks yet. He has to be isolated & has had various tests. What an unlucky family they seem.

I go to Paris on Friday Oct. 23^rd, return on the Sunday. I feel it is a lot of money for such a short trip. I'm still one cheque behind but am hoping I'll get my Oct. one in time. The gas bill came yesterday & it's nearly £15 more than this time last year. Diabolical, I call it. The water rate also came, but I have that as I get a stamp each week. I've prepared the front now for Spring, put in gilly-flowers & bulbs, weeded & cut out all the dead stuff. We've had some lovely days, but quite a lot of rain. I saw M^r Taylor about the dog, it was left alone on Sunday from after 8am till after 10 at night & barked & cried intermittently. I told him in the nicest possible way & said how much it distressed me & got on my nerves. He was very apologetic and said he'd been away on the East Coast all day & he'd speak to his wife about it. She goes to that "Jesus" commune at Bugbrooke & is there all day Sunday. All has been quiet since. Tess sprained her ankle quite badly last week & was off school. Her Daddy rang her on her birthday,^[6] but didn't say when he was coming. Dad & I gave her money to buy a riding jacket & she had new jodphurs from Judy & lots of nice presents too, bless her, she's lovely. You'll see a change in Kathie's family. I expect her son^[7] is quite a young man now. Well, dear, take care — you know we are all "rooting" for you. We miss you so. I'm going to Tescoes' to get the things to make a Xmas cake, every year I say I won't but I always do. All send their love, mine to everyone, especially Mary & Jay. Did you see Tom. Loads of love darling. Good luck.

As always,

            Mum & Dad  X X X X X X X X

        Not forgetting Kathy!!