(1940-02-16) Letters - Mid February
Details for Letters - Mid February
Summary: Katie and Gavin's correspondence, special guest starring Jack Hind.
Date: 16 - 23 February 1940
Location: Hind home, Gavin's barracks
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Characters
KatieGavin

16 February 1940

Dearest Monkey,

I know it's been barely any time since I've seen you, but it already feels like weeks. I had such fun on our adventure, and it really gave me a lot to think about. All the girls were so nice, and there's nothing about a bit of hard work that scares me off. Even in winter's cold there's so much to be done, and it would be grand to spend spring on a farm, watching everything come back to life. But I do so worry about leaving Mum, Da, and Jack. I'm so torn, dear Monkey.

But even so, there's something to look forward to next month. Have you said anything to Dump about it yet? How are things over at the barracks? Mum said she'll be sending along some biscuits for you all this week, it'll come in a separate package, and she'll include a little something special for the Lieutenant. Although I doubt it'll be a fine bottle of scotch! But still, she'll find something to keep in his good graces.

Oh, and please do tell all the lads that Jack is still ever to proud of his badge. He wasn't much worse for wear when they dropped him back at home, although Mum said he smelled like they'd dipped him in a vat of cider and then dried him off blowing cigarette smoke at him. She's a fairly sensitive nose.

I hope you are well, and keeping warm. I'll see you soon, Gavs, but not hardly soon enough.

Your Duckie


February 19th, 1940

Delicious Duck,

I have talked to Dump and we're all set. He even gave me a spare key! Said that I can use it any time I'm on leave. Of course I know a few of the fellas also have keys so we'll have to bolt the door too to keep them from crashing! So all that's left is to decide when I should take my leave next month. I like the middle of the month because it tricks me into thinking I don't have to wait a whole month to see you. But I also don't know if I can wait that long to see you again.

If we didn't go on patrol and watch until after Black Out, I would ask if you could sneak over to the Knightsbridge station and wait outside, just so I could lay eyes on you. But that's much too dangerous. So I will be content in gazing at your picture in my watch.

It sounds like the boys did have quite a lot of fun. We tease Dump about getting 'Jack' tattoo'd in a heart on his arm. Hutch just might get him drunk enough to do it!

I took you up there so you could think about it, without any pressure. So don't feel like I expect you too. I want you to be happy and sure it's something you want to do. Some of the girls aren't as nice as the ones you met. Some of the farms I hear can get pretty catty and dog eat dog.

Thank your mother, I'm sure the biscuits are going to be amazing. Unlike Major Moore, the LT isn't so extravagant. The biscuits would be fine. There are so many officers that try to be 'one of the men' I think LT is the only one that gets it done right though.

Thoughts of you do the trick in keeping me warm. Thank Daniel for me, whatever trick he told Hutch in the kitchen about his feet have kept my nose clear and clean ever since. If only he'd stop danging them over! Oh well, can't complain too much, at least they don't smell like mushroom and onion patte!

Ooo oo Ah ah,
Monkey Ferguson


Before Katie's next letter comes, there's a parcel delivered, courtesy of Mary Hind, and oddly enough, a letter from the Hind house that isn't penned in Katie's hand. Jack has sent notes along in Katie's letters before, but this is the first to come on it's own, strictly between the boys.

18 Feb 40

Gavin,

I wanted to send this off without Katie knowing, because she would say I'm making something out of nothing. Our Katie came home two nights ago, talking about how she ran into Mister Cohen who stops into the shop a lot, some bird that's been in, and some bloke she'd met named Marius. What kind of name is that? Anyroad, wouldn't you know the very next day he shows up at the shop. I didn't like the way he was looking at Katie, so I kept an eye on him. She told me later to leave off it, he's just a butcher from the market, but he looked proper shifty. Don't worry, I'll look after her and keep an eye on this bloke if he comes round again.

Very sincerely,

Jack Hind


February 20th, 1940

Jack,

You are an amazing brother, to me and to Katie. Thank you for the heads up. I don't have any claim on Katie. Besides asking permission to see her, there's been no actual commitment said and done. Not yet, I don't know if I could do that to Katie. Soon as the war's over though, I'd be proudest man ever to truly call your sister mine. But that also doesn't mean that I won't pop a bloke in the gob for doing anything shifty by her. You're a good man. Keep an eye on her and make sure the shifty bastard doesn't do anything she doesn't want done. It kills me, but she'd be free as a bird to see him, if she wants to.

Thank you for the letter, wouldn't mind hearing from you any such way. Say, what did you and the guys get up to on Valentine's day? Did you visit Lorelei? I hope you were treated well there. If you didn't go, don't let them take you there. You and I will go there as brothers, when the time is right.

Your brother in arms,
Private Gavin Ferguson


21 February 1940

Monkey man,

It's difficult to wait, but the middle of the month also means it's not that much longer until your next leave. But whenever you take the time, I'll make sure to have the time on my side of things. I've met a nice butcher from the Borough Market, and I'll be able to get a lovely roast to make for you. We'll have a grand day together.

I hope the biscuits arrived at least mostly unbroken. I'm so knackered tonight, I'll keep this letter short, but it is wonderful to hear that you've been in a bit better shape for sleeping. Sweet dreams!

Quack quack,
Duckie Hind


February 23rd, 1940

Quacky,

A roast sounds delicious. I hope that butcher is aware that that roast is for a man that's just finished cleaning his gun before writing a girl he'd do anything for. And that that man with knowledge of firearms knows where he works now.

The biscuits arrived intact enough that everyone got one. Earnest, who was an urchin before joining up is a clever one and he always takes the broken bits in the bottom of the tin. Only just this time did he finally point out why. He piled up the bottom bits together and he could make three biscuit sized piles. So while everyone else just gets one biscuit, the devil gets three worth.

Get some good rest, don't work yourself too hard.

Gav


26 February 1940

Monkey Dear,

Earnest and his cleverness gave me a good laugh, and the joke is on you lads, I guess. Shall I ask Mum to just make the next package all crumbs so they'll be easier to divide up fairly?

I wish I could hear you laugh at that.

Have you decided yet when you might try and take your leave next month? It's not far away now, with February being as short as it is. The time will just fly by, and before you know it we'll be having a nice day together again.

I was talking to my friend today, Margaret but we call her Maggie. She's been interested in the Land Girls as well. We were thinking about seeing if we could go somewhere together, so that we're neither of us entirely on our own in a strange place. We'd both be good workers, so maybe we could both find ourselves on a farm near enough to home to make a trip back now and again possible.

On March 1, you might look up outside the Knightsbridge station and see a familiar face.

See you soon,
your Ducks

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