Letter from Ursula Valentine to her husband John Valentine

Letter from Ursula Valentine to her husband John Valentine

She writes about the birthday presents she has received and thanks him for the ones he has sent.

1941-12-07

Two page handwritten letter

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EValentineUMValentineJRM411207-01

Start of transcription
Sitting up in bed.
Sunday 7.12.41
8.45 a.m.
Johnnie my dearest,
I decided to have my birthday presents today, being Sunday, specially as tomorrow will inevitably be Monday, which signifies washing, Florence, shopping and all the rest. So Barbara brought me my breakfast in bed, and I opened my presents from you and her, a goodly pile, and now I’m basking in bed with a hot water bottle.
So you [underlined] did [/underlined] give me an umbrella after all! May your various white and grey lies be forgiven you! Thank you so much, my darling, its an absolute beauty. I’ve told Frances she’s an extravagant little monkey but that, as she’s got the best father in the world, I’ll let her off this once. It’s just exactly what I wanted, waterproof and yet cheerful and smart, and its certainly worth all my hinting and asking and [inserted] being [/inserted] teased, and your deceptions and double-dealing and clandestine conspiracy!
[page break]
Then there’s a little matter of a pair of fur-lined boots to thank you for – what a lavish and extravagant husband! I’ve worn them once or twice already, when it was particularly chilly, but now of course I’m positively looking forward to cold wet days when I can swank boots and umbrella at once.
Frances gave me another present, via Barbara, a bottle of lovely scented hand cream. Barbara also gave me this exceedingly luscious note paper, (see the magenta envelope lining) specially for writing billets down, such as this, but her main present was of course the material for Frances which I believe you’ve seen – a delightful blue and white cotton print covered with frisking lambs, and some white velvet and swansdown for her Majesty’s best coat.
There was also a prosaic envelope from Grindlays which will doubtless be Daddy’s contribution, but I gave it to Peter to keep & he’s with the Hillmans today, so I shall have to wait for that & for his present till this evening. Serve me right for opening my parcels too soon.
The only thing that’s missing is you, my darling, but the weather is fine today so I expect you’ll be flying. The sure knowledge of our love means more to me than anything else in the world, in fact it is the basis for everything that is good & lovely in our lives. For ever yours Ursula.