Infinitely Brave

by theletterdee

AU: 1940, Matthew is preparing to leave for training in the army. He enters a diner and meets a waitress working her way through medical school, and asks if he could write to her while overseas. Almost Doctor Alice Harvey accepts after they spend some time conversing after her shift, and a friendship blossoms in exchanged letters. Inspired by "Traveling Soldier" - The Chicks

40. 13 January 1942

Chapter 40: 13 January 1942

13 January 1942

My Dearest Matthew,

I'm glad to hear you're alright. It was good news to receive in a sea of ever-increasing bad or just plain frustrating news.

Mrs. Collins said she'd pray for your friend when I mentioned him to her; I know it's not a lot, but it's at least something… the news out of Singapore is not good - what news we can get anyways. Your patience in waiting for the higher-ups to decide what to do will be rewarded in some way or another, I'm sure; I look forward to whatever news you or Inspector Collins have for us here at Wardlow.

You flatter me once again, my dear Matthew, but thank you, and I'm glad you like your Christmas gift. Your portrait of Addy is wonderful, and I don't need extravagant gifts; as you said, it's the thought that counts, and I love seeing every bit of her that you can include since she keeps you on your toes at any given moment.

As you plan to have bottlebrushes ready for my next birthday, I'll have to figure out how to get you some peonies come June - hopefully, you'll be somewhere that delivers. And hopefully, the boys won't tease you more - first about Jane Austen, then about our letters, and potentially about me sending you flowers instead of the other way around.

You have a way with words that I envy sometimes, but thank you. I've still got another two years or so before graduating, but knowing you believe in me alongside everyone else at Wardlow makes it all less daunting of a task.

If you get your leave, will you see family first? I expect you will, and I understand, but I would love to see you just once - we can go and enjoy coffee at the diner and sit on the pier like before.

(Rufus sends his regards by the way, and he was touched that you thought of him after all this time.)

Edith has gone headlong into her studies already even though the training program doesn't start until February, I think the attacks at the end of last year have all of us yearning to do more. She'll be alright, though, and it'll be strange not to have her or Clara around once they both leave Wardlow.

Your dear friend, hoping to see you again soon,

Alice