Perhaps her new school wasn't so bad after all, Titty thought. She saw Susan every day, although they didn't have much time to talk. It must be a lot worse, Titty thought to be an only child, or even the only girl as Dorothea was. Dorothea went to a day school, of course, and saw her parents, or at least her mother every day.

That way danger lay. She didn't want to get a reputation as a cry-baby in her first term and she was, after all used to not seeing Mother much during term-time. Titty thrust her hand into her blazer pocket for her handkerchief and her fingers encountered Nancy's latest letter again. She was still unobserved, so she drew it out of her pocket. Titty was the most enthusiastic letter writer in her family, and had written to Nancy once or twice a term for the past two years, with Nancy writing back just frequently. Susan, although not generally as keen on writing as Titty, wrote to Peggy at least as often.

Nancy's letter were generally short, somewhat crumpled and blotted, and for the past year had been in semaphore just as often as ordinary writing. In fact, this seemed to be an unusually pedestrian missive for her.

Dear Titty,

Sorry to be over, well over, a week late answering your letter. Lots more prep this term because of school certificate. Lots more than necessary I think. Our games mistress, wanted some of us to help with Hockey and netball practice too. Second formers, and for that matter firsts, never get to play hockey – danger of them developing a stoop. Amazing what they can find to fuss over really.

Mother says the GA has gone back to beastly Harrogate. Aunts are much better than Great Aunts.

Zoo life is probably better for Gibber really, only it does seem hard lines on Roger to lose his pet; Not that he saw much of Gibber of course. Still it will be fun seeing the baby monkey.

Fortunately Aunt Helen is coming to visit us soon. October half term is when she usually comes to see us. Really it was Aunt Helen who taught us both to swim, even though the great aunt kicked up a big fuss when she found out. Visit as in come and see us at school and take us back home for a week is what I mean. Even the best of aunts is not as good as being all together though.

Right now I have to finish this because I should be darning my stockings!

Best of luck with the rest of the term,

love Nancy.

Titty couldn't help grinning as she suddenly saw it. It was worth the stamp and the postcard to let Captain Nancy know that Walkers, too, could have their moments of being clever.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

AND EVER!

Love, T.

Nancy read the postcard and could not help grinning. Jolly good for the able seaman.