Huggins Road Block Area, 21st Brigade HQ, Sanananda, New Guinea

10 July 1943

Sweetheart,

Bloody hell, warn a man next time, would you?

You're lucky I had the foresight to open this one alone, sweetheart, otherwise, that would have been a very interesting mail call… still did have someone ask me why I was red in the face, but I think I managed to cover it… mostly.

The boys loved the wedding photos (yes, I took out the personal ones before sharing - no one gets to see those apart from me, I promise), and they're all very happy for us.

I will take whatever duty laid on me at home by anyone because that means I'll be home and away from here. Hugh may grovel (don't tell him I said that), but I'll do anything to get home and be with you, even set up duty for Miss Phryne Fisher.

I think you're Matty's favorite auntie, and it's not hard to see why, sweetheart. It's clear you love him even though babies are not your expertise, and I'm sure Clara and Eric appreciate the help you and all of Wardlow provide.

Matty will eventually talk back like Rose, but I know what you mean, I think a lot of my stress about watching her went away once she was able to talk; it certainly makes it easier. I'm sure her interest in what she captures with her camera will change as she grows, but I think this hobby just might stick; coupled with having a journalist as a father, I wouldn't be surprised if she follows him into that field. Vera might not like it, but at least options for girls like Rose will be more than what Vera had growing up.

It frustrated her, I think, not being able to do everything that I was allowed to when we were children… after a certain age, she was expected to be more… I don't know, Mum wouldn't let her tag after me and Lucien as much as she had when we were kids. I hope Rose is allowed to flourish when she's older.

Daniel will be Daniel, he's not him if he's not sniffing out a story like a dog with a bone; I think Rose will be the same if she becomes a journalist… God helps us if she gets on the police beat.

I'm trying to come home, Alice, I promise… every day I hope we'll get news of either leave or the war ending, but I don't think either is possible for a while longer unfortunately. I hate asking you to stay patient, I know you have been and I appreciate it, sweetheart, one day (hopefully sooner than later) we'll be home and working together as planned.

I think - to answer your question about Melbourne or Ballarat after the war - it'll probably depend on which has an opening for the two of us. Melbourne might be the better bet, but maybe Ashby would be open to having me around again… I wonder if I'll be promoted by then and wouldn't have to be a constable anymore… We'll have to see. Melbourne would be easier for you since you said Mac had a job lined up for you and I know you'll want the experience. If we did live in Melbourne, we'd be in Jack's old place, wouldn't we? You mentioned it a while back… it'd give us a nice space to be together and get used to having a house together before we settle in Ballarat.

Of course, we could just abscond from the state altogether, and find some other place to settle down… we'd be far from friends and family, though, so that's another thing to take into consideration… I don't know, sweetheart. Having Mum with us would be nice, but I think it would depend on her health and how comfortable she'd be living with us in the house. It wouldn't really be "ours" with her there… and she might have plenty of thoughts on how we fix it up… it's a discussion to certainly have when all of this is over.

I'm glad Addy's settled in better. Thank you, so much, for taking her in and looking after her; she probably would have been alright coming back this round since things are relatively calm here, but I just didn't want to worry about her anymore. I miss her fiercely, but knowing she's safe and in good hands helps the ache.

(Vera most definitely will blame me for them having to get a cat, sweetheart, it's alright, it's Vera's way of showing she cares… for the most part.)

I'm sure the "secret" of our marriage will get around once people find out, but seeing how long it takes to spread will be fun. We'll have to be on our best behavior to make it harder for them, won't we? At least professionally, it'll be fun to see people's reactions when we're not working to see us out and about.

I am a rakishly handsome gossiping old biddy soldier, that's definitely me.

That's my girl! You've always made me proud, sweetheart, and you'll continue to once out in the workforce. I can't wait for your brilliance to shine for everyone to see. I love it, and I love you.

(Unfortunately still a distant dream of the graduation ceremony, but you're right, it's a nice dream for me too.)

I'm glad your break has been relaxing, you deserve it (Phryne's investigating antics aside).

Yours, always,

Matthew