大象传媒

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April 9th 1945 Monday
This is or was, a real RED LETTER WEEKEND. Still no news about Edwin, and now the six months mark has passed! Such a lot has happened I don't know where to start!! I was taken ill at the office on Friday, Mack, Mrs C & Katie took me home with Mr Hacks driving (in the car). Saw Doc, he ordered me to bed at once - pleurisy. Eventually recovered sufficiently to go up to Cleethorpes for ten days - had marvelous weather, Auntie L looked after me so well, had a super time - came back Monday and commenced at G.E.G. the following day. Felt pretty AWFUL ever since - at least until Saturday last April the 7th and then the balloon went up! I've never felt so low, so depressed in my life - didn't see any reason for carrying on - terrible state to get into - but there it was. I had arranged to meet Muriel at Aldgate at 2PM and eventually arrived there at 3PM !! L gave it to me hot and strong, Thank goodness he did, am more than grateful. Feel a new woman now! Then my "dream come true" has materialised at last! The front room is cleared and is now my very own, to have in it my own friends! Oh! it looks super! Father was a wee bit "funny" at first, but he doesn't mind a bit now. Mrs R came for the weekend and just made me pull my socks up, she worked and cleaned the room, while I made endless journeys to and from the loft!!!_!__Am looking forward to my birthday next weekend, I have invited Din over, we hope to go to a flick in Town, then home to THE DEN. Mum has been taken ill too, with bronch pneumonia and pleurisy!! - five weeks now.

May 7th 1945 Monday
Any day now we may expect the surrender of the Germans to the Allies. Holland gave up at the end of last week, and do I feel sick! Whew! Surely I shall hear some news soon. We are dropping food to Northern Holland, letting the food in before our troops come out. Oh! I feel as sick-as a dog- can't settle down to anything. Had a letter from Johnny over the weekend; he is getting married on the 19th May (Whit Saturday) D.V. He asks me to go if I can possibly get down to Ashford. Shall do my best to be there, who knows, Edwin may be there too. Received the sad news Edwin's Co-Pilot, Captain Norton, the one I met, was killed over the Rhine in March, Such a charming man. "Greenbums" Mother telephoned me on Friday. She hasn't heard from Frank since Christmas but at least she does know he's a prisoner. They mentioned on the wireless on Saturday 5 pm Forces News lots of Airborne troops landed at Arnhem, were still in Holland, having been hidden by the Dutch. News may not get out as quickly as we should like, must try and keep calm although my tummy is being churned up you've no idea. Have fixed my holiday for a week in July - 28th. Am going to Cornwall (I hope) Port Isaac. The letter re reservation sounds very charming - Should do me good to get a complete change.

May 8th 1945 Tuesday
VE DAY
At long last the end of the war in Europe
We have had today and tomorrow for holiday. Naturally feel pretty sick. Lots of Bonfires and Tea Parties etc. Went to Jolly Miller's Tuesday afternoon. Muriel joined me, had a lovely cup of tea, left there about 6 pm. Ray & Lucy came on Monday evening so we opened a bottle of cider to celebrate Edwin's safe return, please God. Popped in to see Mr & Mrs Cooke Tuesday morning - the kids were wild with excitement at the prospect of a huge bonfire. Shall be more than glad to get back to the office - have plenty of work to occupy my mind, thank goodness.

May 20th 1945 Sunday
Went to Johnny's wedding yesterday at Ashford (Kent): went off very nicely about 70 guests. I was quite alright until I saw J, then I broke down completely.

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