Caloundra, Queensland

13 July 1942

My Alice,

Of course your skills were up to snuff, sweetheart, they're the best gift you could have given to me and Chris; I catch him looking at them whenever we see each other around the base - I think his unit is being sent out soon, a lot of us will be sent out soon probably. Thank you so much for going to Ballarat and getting the photos, you've made two weary soldiers very happy.

Well, now that you've said we've got a future, I'll definitely have to make it through the war; I dream of it too, y'know… us in that house, me handing you a beer after a long day dealing with Old Man Blake in the hospital… It's a nice dream that I hope we can work on happening once the war's done.

When will this war be over? Feels like it just keeps going these days - endless maneuvers and training while no news comes out of Europe or the mainland… I don't like it.

I hope you'll go and see Mum during the holidays, sweetheart, even for a little bit (she goes down to Melbourne to see Vera, so you won't have to travel far); you'll have to go celebrate for me and tell me all about it - I want to hear of all the mischief you and Vera get into while Mum makes her fantastic Christmas feast (as much as rationing will allow, of course).

Ashby is tough and I'm surprised he wanted to know how I was doing - the man made my life hell while I was a constable in Ballarat… guess he's a "tough love" kind of boss, I've gotten spoiled by both Jack and Hugh as my immediate higher-ups and I'm not looking forward to being back under Ashby whenever I decide to return to Ballarat. If I decide to return to Ballarat… maybe we'll both be happy to remain in Melbourne. Old Man Blake is a cold fish… I don't know if my experiences were clouded by being friends with his son, but he's definitely a reserved, stubborn, and somewhat stuck-up man. I'm not surprised he was hesitant about a lady doctor for him to work with, he's a product of the Victorian and Edwardian ages I guess - been stuck in the past since Lucien's mum died. I'm glad you met the Clasbys though, always entertaining to talk to Agnes and Nell used to secret me and Lucien sweets when we were boys - I wonder if she has the same ones still?

If we end up in Ballarat, I'll help you adjust, sweetheart. Mum would drive the two hours herself to swat me with her spoon if I didn't, and it just takes some getting used to, the knowing… comes in handy when solving crimes and I'm sure it will with pathology as well. Mum told me the same thing on my leave even before we were dating, so she's always had plans, unfortunately. It won't be a nice modern house that some people get, but… it's nice and it'll be fun to fix up, don't you think?

I'm glad Jean has you in her life, sweetheart, and that you have her; let me know how the visit went (minus the gossip, please, I don't need to know more than I do about Christopher) and I'll keep an eye out for Edith, but hopefully, I won't be in need of her services for a long time.

(Though, if I get injured, do you think I could come home to you? Think they'd let me if I said my girlfriend was a well-learned doctor? Ah, probably not, but I'm sure your touch would be more delicate than some of these quacks they've got up here, I fear I get even more injured whenever I have to see them.)

I know you've not told me yet of your family, your biological family, but the family I have met is a wonderful one, and glad I meet their high standards for you. How is everyone at Wardlow doing?

I miss you terribly, every inch of you, and your kisses are such a tease when I've tasted the real thing… the day when your perfume (you've been spraying it on the letters, haven't you?) fades is the worst day of the week for me. Luckily, you send a refresher with each letter, but I still ache to actually have you here next to me.

Don't you dare suggest to Hugh that we need more training exercises, it's all bravado - don't believe a word I say, we're being run ragged up here with little relief. I'm trying to be more manly in my letters to you and the facade is done - leave me and the boys in peace, please, sweetheart. If I really am your dearest, not a word to Hugh!

I don't know if I'll stay here in Australia or not, there are reports and talk of going to the surrounding islands - there are so many that our army will likely be split to many of them as we aid the Americans against the Japanese, but I don't know which one if any we'll be sent to

Ah yes, the dear censorship readers, I hope they enjoy our witty exchanges.

I'm glad your classes are the way you like them! Three terms! That's so soon, sweetheart, you're almost done! I hope I can be there for the ceremony, but if not you have to send me photos so I can admire my girlfriend, Dr. Alice Harvey, from afar… and countdown the days I have to endure before I'm your arm candy - being paraded around for all to see while I tell everyone about my doctor.

I miss you so much, sweetheart, and so does Addy - she's currently curled up on my chest as I finish this letter, so both of your misfits wish you well today.

Yours, Always,

Matthew