7 Sept 1940
Dear Matthew,
I don't mind sending a photo, though I didn't have a recent one, so I had to go out and get one done. Mac had a bit of a laugh at that, she's been trying to get me to get one for years; she says she'd love to meet you the next time you come to Melbourne if you can get me to do the things she's pestered me about before. (I have to note that it takes a lot to impress Mac, so this isn't just any sort of offhand comment.) Now that I've done as you asked, would you mind returning the favor? Mac and her friends are ever so curious about you, and the other girls who live here are always especially giggly whenever they see one of your letters. If it'll give me some peace, I'd be especially grateful. You see they
[Her sentence abruptly stopped and in the next paragraph the handwriting changes slightly - more slanted]
Sorry, the girls (Clara and Edith, for future reference) interrupted me and practically begged for my opinion on an outfit for one of Clara's outings with her latest beau (I actually do like this one, he's at least not duller than a doorknob). I honestly don't know why they asked me, but I think I helped (I hope). In the chaos of those two girls, I forgot what I was going to say. They did ask about you - constantly - so maybe asking a photo for you might not decrease the questions, but increase them instead… I'll leave the decision on you sending a photograph up to you, I'll get pestered either way.
My landlady is a "hoot" as you say, she's very lenient with her charges in the house, so no curfew, but she also vets them thoroughly; I only got in as a tenant because she admired my work ethic and on Mac's recommendation. She does enjoy me as a tenant though, I'm quieter than Clara or Edith, and really only go out for work or school - though the girls sometimes pull me into going out for ice cream when they think I've been inside too much. (Which, as you can guess, is a lot.) I am thankful for her and for them, I have the freedom to study what I want - however long I want - and to work; the kitchen is always open, and Mr. B has hot water baths for my feet after particularly long shifts (and hot cocoa), I've not felt this… content in a long time.
What's your house in Ballarat like? The one your mum lives at?
Your niece sounds like a character and so does your sister, they must always keep you on your toes; my sister, Peg, was just as precocious.
Thank you, for understanding,
Alice
[enclosed in the letter is a small brown sepia photo of Alice - her hair done up in a similar style as the day they met without the ribbon. Her eyes staring off camera as she faced the camera at an angle, but a faint smile lingered in the corner of her mouth. On the back, Alice has written: Alice Harvey, September 1940 Here's to sating the curiosity of the boys and "face to face" conversations - A]
AN: you can see a photo of "1940 Alice" that a dear friend did for me on AO3 for this chapter (and next with a photo of Matthew), which you can find there under the same username that I have here, let me know if you can't find it or just want a straight link to it since ffnet doesn't support photos in fics
