22-8-43

Dear Mum – Was thrilled to receive your letter with the big photo about a fortnight ago; it arrived very safely, and I think it’s very nice indeed; I was very pleased about it. I have covered it with cellophane and framed it as well as possible. Thank Hazel and Auntie Han for letters which arrived at the same time; many happy returns to Hazel for October – next year if not in time for this year. Well, here it is a day later, and fortunate it is that I waited, as two more of your letters and two from Joan turned up, all just three months old, but just not quite old enough to have more news of Hazel. I have had another parcel of language books from Mrs Bassett, and have heard from Mrs Steeves again. Hazel asks what I need in clothing parcels; well, the answer is just odds and ends – some good soap, tooth-powder and brush, maybe a hairbrush, and some ordinary light underwear – and the chocolate, well, you know about that. I’m not at all short of anything important, now. This seems to be about all for now, so lots of love to yourself, Hazel M. and co. and all the folks from Arnold G.