(1939-11-18) Letters from the Front
Details for Letters from the Front
Summary: Letter from Guy Grosvenor to Rena Lee/Odori
Date: 18-11-1939
Location: From Biggin Hill Aerodrome
Related: Presents and Dancing
Characters
GuyRenaMadeline

OOC: Experiment in epistolatory RP.

My dear Miss Lee,

Might I just give my thanks for your kind present, and more importantly your kind presence. I have said before how much your singing is appreciated by the boys of my squadron, and I will repeat it once more. If you know any similarly gifted souls, I should very much like you to consider returning to perform, at my expense, for the Other Ranks in the NAAFI. I should put you up in the pub, which has some rooms, so you aren't obliged to return to London the same day. Do please let me know if this appeals to you, and I'll put wheels in motion.

On an unrelated note, I trust Birdie safely delivered you to London, and there were no unexpected hiccups. Things here remain pleasingly placid, and there have been no further excuses for champagne.

My regards to you and yours,

Affectionately yours,

Guy

Post Scriptum: Have been updating my documentation in case anything should happen, things being as they are, and hope you would accept a small bequest should the worst occur. Do let me know. G

(The envelope shows the usual evidence of the censor having checked it prior to dispatch)


Dear Guy,

The gift was the least I could do. You've always been so kind to me, and been such a good friend over the past year. Funny, I feel as though I've known you a good deal longer than that. I suppose that's just how it is with people sometimes. I'll never forget meeting that grumpy pilot walking down the Alley on the night of the first snow last year. I count it as one of the luckiest nights I ever had.

I'll see what I can do about rounding up some more patriotic girls for entertaining. I hope to do it myself again, soon. I suppose I enjoy it a bit too much; but, I love to make people happy. There's such a lot to be sad about these days, and it makes my day so much brighter to bring some smiles and laughter to others.

Birdie was grand. We had a lovely long drive, and it was quite enjoyable. He knows such a lot about everything, he's just a pleasure to talk to. Although, I think he expected me to find him stuffy. I've even learned a couple Latin phrases from him. However, I can't write them down, not knowing how they're spelled… My favorite is the one that says: Experience Teaches. I'll remind myself whenever I learn from mistakes in the future.

As to a bequest, of course I would treasure anything you wished to leave me – much as it pains me to think about it. But, I swear, if you go and get yourself killed, I will never speak to you again!

-Your little friend
Irene


8 December 1939
Biggin Hill

A pretty hefty envelope arrives for Squadron Leader Guy Grosvenor that contains two letters and a drawing. The smaller note is from from Irene, and it reads:

Dear Guy,
I've included a letter from a young lady of my acquaintance that I am very fond of. Turns out that her cousin is young David Evans in your squadron. Talk about a small world! She just insisted on drawing you a picture when I mentioned you'd had a birthday not long ago. I hope you'll enjoy the much belated present and letter, as both were given with a grateful heart.
-Irene

Madeline's letter:

Hello, I'm Madeline Evans and David is my cousin. Rena said it was your birthday a little bit ago so I wanted to write and say I hope you had a very very happy birthday. I'm sorry I can't visit and wish you a very happy birthday in person but I'm very busy at school right now. I drew you a picture tho a dragon to help you fight the Germans. He'll breath fire all over there planes for you and help keep you and everyone in the squadrin safe even David. Thank you for looking after my cousin David and helping keep all of us safe from the Germans and helping the people in Poland get there country back to. I hope you have a very happy Christmas.

Madeline Evans
12 years old

Unexpected Meeting


A letter, sent with an enclosure, and dropped off at the Cauldron, so without having been opened, and 'to be called for' by Mrs Odori

Dear Rena,

Many thanks for the drawing, which I'm fairly sure the originator will be pleased with the results of. Things here are actually rather quiet. It's not the same as last time. I suspect there'll be a bit less gentlemanliness about the business, but the thing has to be done, of course.

I look forward to seeing you again, down here, and I'm sure so does Birdie. I'd be prepared to lend you the car. I'm not getting out terribly much at present- current trip to London excluded.

Anyway, lots of love,

Guy


The enclosure:

Dear Miss Evans,

Many thanks for your delightful letter. It is hugely cheering for us to know that our efforts are appreciated, and I promise I shall do my best to keep your cousin safe, whilst he protects the Nation.

Your art work is splendid, and I have taken the liberty of having the dragon stenciled onto the nose of my Spitfire. I enclose a photograph.

Sincerely yours,

Squadron Leader Guy Grosvenor
Aged 46

(Enclosed is a photograph, of an RAF clad man, Guy, and one of his technicians standing either side of the nose of an aircraft, on the side of which is the painting of the dragon sketched by Madeline.)


A small letter arrives for Guy Grosvenor. The stationary appears to have suffered a few wrinkled places, shaped like round splotches…

5 January, 1940

Dear Guy,

I'm not in the best spirits, otherwise, I would wish you a belated happy new year. I'm afraid I've made a hash of everything once and for all. Takeshi and I are no longer together. It's all over between us, and he and his family are moving back to Japan. It was bound to happen, as things just went from bad to worse after we married. I didn't think it would end like this, though. I've never known what it felt like to be such a failure.
I feel so lost and alone right now, Guy. I don't know what I'm going to do or where to turn. Everything is such a bloody awful mess. If you have any advice for the biggest fool in the world, please let me know.

Love, from your Irene


A telegram delivered to Irene Lee, C/O the Cauldron

ADDRESSEE TO BE NOTIFIED ASAP STOP WILL GET WEEKEND LEAVE STOP GET DANCING SHOES READY STOP IF THINKING OF DOING SOMETHING STUPID STOP STOP GUY


A telegram later arrives at Biggin Hill in reply from Irene.

WON'T DO ANYTHING STUPID FOR YOUR SAKE STOP
GOING TO SCOTLAND UNTIL WEEKEND STOP WILL MEET YOU THEN STOP
IRENE


A rather long letter is delivered to Guy at Biggin Hill, addressed in familiar handwriting.

29 March, 1940

Dear Guy,

I'm so sorry it's been such a long time since you heard from me. What with all that ugly mess at the beginning of the year, and picking up the pieces afterward, it's been rather hard to make myself get back in the habit of writing. Also, there are some things that have just been too painful to put into words until now.
You remember what we talked about on the train – the trouble I might be in. It turned out that I was. But, sometimes life isn't very kind, and it takes care of such troubles without warning or asking a by-your-leave. I'm sure you understand what I'm trying to say, and you will see why I don't really want to talk about it further. It's been hard on Birdie and me, but things are better, now.
Speaking of Birdie, he tells me that he'll have to ask permission to marry me and all when the time comes. Don't be beastly to him about it! I'm fascinated by the air force, but you men have the strangest rules and regulations, sometimes. But still, I'm looking forward to the wedding. It'll be wonderful, I just know it. Although, I'm still a little foggy on where we'll be living when it comes to that. I suppose I'll find out soon enough.
I do hope you've been well, and that you're happy. Knowing you, though, you're wondering when or if this war is going to actually kick off so you can do what you do so well for God and country. Mister Hitler needs a swift kick in the pants, but I would rather he keep staying far away from England. I suppose I'm selfish because I love you and Birdie so very much.

I shouldn't keep you any longer. I'm sure you have a lot to do, but I wanted you to know that you haven't been forgotten.

-Love, from your friend
Irene


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