22 April 1942
My Dearest Matthew,
I'm glad to hear you've arrived safely, and by now you've settled in, but… I miss you too. I miss our dates, I miss the anticipation of where'd we go next, I even miss the teasing (though Rufus has provided plenty of that). It's nice to daydream of you being back here - even if you're entirely too distracting.
I did "ace" the exam, no thanks to you helping me study - I had to cram a bit because I couldn't remember a thing from our last study picnic. Like I said, entirely too distracting. But in a good way… I think. As much as I also look forward to being Dr. Harvey, I like you calling me sweetheart. Did you know that Dot realized you'd called me that before I did? I guess I was too excited about you coming home to notice it at first.
Things will get better because I want to go on those dates with you.
It's still strange to see American soldiers everywhere; more and more of them arrive each day, and while businesses are happy for them to spend their coin, Rufus has had to be a bit… harsh with some of them when they won't leave the waitresses alone. I never understood trying to flirt with someone serving you, it's not like they usually have the option to set their boundaries, and yes, before you ask, I've had to deal with unruly customers and I will continue to have to deal with them until I graduate.
(Though Mac has hinted that I'll still have to deal with unruliness as a doctor, but from my own coworkers and patients instead of paying customers - I replied that I hoped not to have unruliness in my patients as they were supposed to be dead by the time I saw them.)
Married! Now that's a surprise. You should give them a taste of their own medicine and demand details and pictures of each one of them. (I'm joking, but it would also be a good way to bond with the boys some more, and if they're anything like me, they'll want to gush about their significant other to anyone who'll listen). I think the war has also pushed people together in ways no one was expecting - I certainly wasn't, but I'm glad it did.
Everyone is fine here at Wardlow; Jack and Phryne are still investigating as usual - that is Jack does his police work and Phryne becomes involved in some way, shape, or form much to Jack's fond exasperation. Mac is still teaching, though we've both noticed a bit of a dip in numbers of our peers leaving for the war effort - you're right about December's attacks and the continued strikes against the northern part of Australia being a spark for people signing up.
(You will be safe, won't you?)
Rufus is still running the diner, though he's worried about rationing; it's not been too bad so far, but as we get further involved in the war against Japan, I know things will start to get scarce, and shipping lines that weren't attacked before will be targets now. Clara and Eric have moved into their new place, though she still spends a lot of time at Wardlow during the day - Eric's been pulling a lot more shifts at the shipyards recently as demand is high on every front. She's very happy though, and very touched you came to the ceremony; she and Edith are also extremely excited that we're together and demand even more saucy details from our letters - I don't think they'll get those any time soon, right, dear?
Of course, we are all still reeling from you and Hugh coming home and then leaving; Dot has taken it the hardest besides their children, she hides it well, but I can see it. We've taken to having early morning chats over tea before Phryne gets up, and it helps to know I have someone also going through what I'm going through being separated from you. I can't imagine having kids in the mix, though, it must be rough.
Your sister, Vera, stopped by the other day for tea - armed of course with your niece Rose and all of the embarrassing stories from your childhood; it was nice, and I'll admit you were right that she does like me - both of them, in fact, Rose has shown interest in the camera - I was just so unsure after the dinner because I've not had a lot of experience (good or bad) with meeting families. I was worried they'd pry into my past, but Vera said you'd asked her not to do so… thank you, my dear Matthew, it made it easier to settle and relax that night. She said she'll stop by more, that she wants to get to know me and let me get to know them. It's a nice feeling.
I'll try to take some photos when I can, especially of the Collins kids and of your niece - your sister swears she's grown an inch since you last saw her - and I'll try to get some nice photos of Melbourne as well. Maybe one day I can make a trip to Ballarat, so if you have any requests for there, let me know and I'll see what I can do. We do have some ANZAC biscuits for you and the boys, so I hope you'll enjoy those.
Stay safe, and know you're in my thoughts constantly.
Yours,
Alice