»  Letter: Thursday, October 14, 1982

 

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  Transcription of Letter

From
M^rs J.R. Derbyshire
62, Friars Avenue
Delapre
Northampton
England NN4 9PX

To
John Derbyshire
Siping Teacher's College
Siping City
Jilin Province
People's Republic of China

Thursday  14.10.8282

My dear Son,

happy, happy, happy. When I got home from my Thursday trip to Post Office, Dad was waiting with a beaming face, your letter had arrived, really darling, we didn't expect it so soon, it only took 6 days. Well, we are delighted to know how well you were received, now I shall worry no more, you seem to be in good hands. I rang Pete & Annie. Pete was very pleased, he said he had visions of you sleeping in a cow-shed!! Jean & Judy read your letter & we are all delighted, but you'll have to come home next year John, I've just pickled 5 lbs of onions!!

Sunday   Darling, it's 2 weeks today since you left, it feels like 2 years, I miss you so & am thinking of you every minute, but of course in a much happier frame of mind. It's a lovely day, sunny, but very windy. Judy came on her own yesterday. Phil had taken Marcus to "the Dragon's" — Phil's Mum!! & Tess was at work. She now gets £8 for the day & Judy has talked her into putting some — £2 — into a Post Office Account, — somewhat reluctantly I gather, & she gives Judy £2 towards Georgie's food.^[1]  Dad is well, he seems better again. Betty & Fred Bates send their love, Bill Tucky his regards & all at the paper shop.

I sent your P45 form to I.T. Office^[2]  & Dawn sent another Pay chit. I have put them all together, no other correspondence yet. Peter said if there's anything you want to help you in your English teaching let him know & he would send you on some papers. He took your address. I know you will let me know if there's anything you want. I hesitate to send Xmas stuff,  1/ the cost of postage is so exorbitant &  2/ if it goes astray, but of course if there's anything you want let me know. Xmas will soon be on us, but it won't be the same without you. I'm already getting hints of what the "family" wants. I just want it to be over, so I can think of Spring & your return & the pleasure the garden & pool will bring. I have fixed a net over it so the water doesn't get contaminated with falling leaves.

It's now Tuesday dear & still a lovely day, yesterday I brushed the rubbish off the lawn & M^r Taylor brought me round a bag of apples. I felt a bit mean as I had already helped myself from our side!! Nothing untoward has happened love, the same old routine. Clocks go back on Sunday. Ugh! That means dark at 4 o'clock, but I've got plenty to occupy me. I'm making Marcus a life size — well — his size anyway — footballer in Q.P.R.  colours & various pieces of embroidery. Fred & John from the Garden Centre have just come to empty the pool & put some liner in the square bit, its just thick mud, so I won't be able to go to Jean's this morning. I gave John your old navy suit, he was delighted, he's a nice young man, looks in need of a bit of mothering!! Well, my darling, write when you can & tell me about your work, the people, customs, climate food anything so that I can picture it all in my mind's eye. All for now love,

Loads of love

Mother, Dad is going to write to you soon  X X X X X