Caloundra, Queensland
24 June 1942
My Alice,
Thank you so much for the photos, sweetheart, both Christopher and I cherish all of them.
Mum is Mum, she'll adopt each and every person she comes across, but I'm glad you've gotten along - you definitely sound like her calling me Matty, sweetheart; It helps ease my worry about war knowing that you've also got Vera and Mum to be there for you to reach out to - may the war not continue along too much longer so you and I can… maybe start to consider the future.
Who'd you meet in Ballarat? Was the town nice for you?
I'm also very glad Jean didn't come on too strong; I love her like a sister, and honestly growing up it was a lot like having another younger sister, but she and Vera have gotten into their heads to have to make sure my relationships are "up to snuff" and their opinions always differ from mine… but I'm glad they both approve of you. Regardless if they hadn't, I'd still choose you. I hope you two can become friends - she's had a rough go of it the past few years and I know she'd appreciate a true friend; speaking from experience, you are a true and dear friend (but I'm glad I can call you my girlfriend, that's the best gift of all to come out of this war).
The gems you found are gems to us too, sweetheart; Christopher was near in tears when I gave him his copies of the photos and I know he truly appreciates having these while away from home. I hope that he's taken my advice to write to Jean, nothing's certain now and I'd hate for them to leave so much unsaid, but… thank you for doing this favor for me and giving this gift to an old friend. I'll make it up to you the next time I come home - whenever that may be.
The boys are the boys; causing mayhem and chaos while we wile away the days here - waiting for our next orders. Don't feel guilty, sweetheart, you need breaks as much as we do, and I get to live vicariously through your letters just like you get to see the world through mine. The book is going slow, they're keeping us busy with training maneuvers now that Japan's gotten into the fray - that and going into a rainforest isn't a great place to have paper of any kind, so I'm making little progress into Mansfield Park. No new members into the Jane Austen club, unfortunately, but that's fine with me… we have fun enough on our own, don't we?
How are classes? I suspect you're done for the term and a new one is due to start, but how much longer do you have until you become Dr. Alice Harvey? I look forward to being your arm candy, Doctor.
Yours,
Matthew