大象传媒

Then the rest of the week was bedlam with the furniture, forms to fill in, journeys to "Mayfield" in Yarm Lane, the Public Assistance Board and hospital. I was tired out and only got about 4 hours sleep a night, one night only 2 and a half but we are settled nicely now and comfy. The furniture has gone into a Government Store at Norton Garages near the church at the top end of Norton, rather damp I'm afraid but we'll have to air things well. Well, now Connie says you can come and stay here Mother and help look after Dad, as I'm so tied up. I don't like leaving him to go out shopping and there is such a lot to do, oddments to get etc. Connie has given an eye to him when I've had to go out but I have to rush back and there is such a lot to see yet. I haven't got the claim in for the furniture damage or clothes yet and only have 14 days more and it means journeys to Stockton. So if you could come about Wednesday. I say Wednesday because it fits in with the same date for Billeting allowance as ours. We are allowed 5/- a week for Billeting Allowance which goes to pay Connie for the rooms. The rooms cost 12/6 so they allow 10/- of it and we at present pay the 2/6. If you can she would get 15/- and I'm sure the rooms are worth it. You could sleep with me in my room upstairs. I thought if you got a train that goes straight through and stops at Harrogate you could bring Ada as far as Harrogate and write and ask them to meet the train and keep her with them for a day or two until I could get a day off and could take her to Breckenbrough where she would be happier and nice and safe. But at present there is no room here for her and I don't know where she could stay about here. Tilery are having that Dorothy from Derby for a month. There is Trenholme Bar but Ada says she doesn't know what to talk about there and I know she likes Breckenbrough. I could take a day off and go to Harrogate and come back next day with Ada to Breckenbrough, then come on home next day or that same night if possible. But it could be arranged easily I think and is an easy way of getting her the longest part of the journey over as I'm so afraid Manchester might be raided and I wouldn't like you to go through what we've had. I hope we'll get no more of it. I won't bother to send you meat coupons but you'd better give Ada her ration book before you leave her as she may be at Breckenbrough and Harrogate a day or two before I can get over.

We had the ambulance to bring Dad here and he has to go back again on Thursday 13th September at 10 o'clock for an examination by Dr Reid. So that is another ambulance. Then I have to try to get a house somewhere so I think you could come back now and look after him while I run around. He has to have his leg in plaster for 12 weeks. Oh I see you want to know all. Well all the windows and roofs are off in all Pine Street and Benson Street and Cross Street and some in Billingham Avenue and those new houses at the bottom. Then from about Hardy's to Mrs Coates in Pine Street (even numbers) in Benson Street are all blown out with blast like ours, only worse. They have got the hole filled up now, 8 people are killed. I can't remember who. But Mr and Mrs Parkes, Ernie Fisher, Mrs Hayton, Mr Laws (young one) and I don't know who else, but Fisher's old dog. I'm glad about that. Well there is no need to say what time you are coming. Just come. But I wouldn't bring Ada home. Leave her at Harrogate unless of course Eddie and Josie want her to stay and one of them could bring her over later and see Dad. I don't know where all the neighbours are. I've had plenty of my own jobs to think about! And then you want to know where I spent the rest of the night. Tinned food is alright, so is eggs! Oh it isn't as bad as you're imagining as all your main and best clothes are safe except your old navy coat and Ada's old navy coat and brown one. but my navy edge to edge is bad and also Dad's summer coat. I'm afraid I can't meet you at Darlington this time so get a porter and tip him as your case is too heavy for you. Well I'm sure this is too long now so Cheerio and Bye Bye...till next week.

All my love from Dad and me,
Margaret x x

Thanks for your letter to Dad, Ada. I'm afraid all your writing tackle is done for now.

(My mother later found out that it was a delayed action land mine and not a bomb that had exploded. They were able to move back into their home in December 1941, 4 months later.)

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