27 Dec 1940

My Dear Matthew,

How wonderful it was to see your familiar handwriting when I got home from work yesterday. I'll admit that I had become used to your letters, so this bit of a dry spell left me unexpectedly bereft after so many months of talking with you.

End of term exams went as expected (yes, I did pass them with "flying colors" as you predicted), Mac was especially proud of all my marks in the pathology courses and she thinks I'll be done and fully qualified in a few years - which is good for my wallet. I learned so much this term, I was almost sad to be done with my classes, but I know newer and more challenging ones await me in the new year. As I write this, I realize I've been neglectful of your wish to learn more about pathology, so I thought I'd include some of what I've learned at the end of this letter. Let me know if you need more in depth information on anything.

After exams were done, I worked as much as Rufus would let me, including my usual Christmas Day shift. We celebrated Christmas on Christmas Eve - I even went to midnight mass, it was very nice to listen to all the carols and hymns, and a nice reminder of what's beyond my room and the university. Rufus isn't particularly religious, nor does he have much of a family anymore, so he remains open on Christmas Day for those who are like minded or their faith isn't Christian. As he knows that I'm also not one for observing most holidays, I'm usually on shift for most of the afternoon until early morning the next day. I like working this shift, it's quieter than most and Rufus likes to share a slice of cake and coffee with me before I leave for the day - his own personal tradition that we started when I first began working at the diner.

I'm so very glad to hear that you got to the Middle East unscathed, and I will admit that I'm also glad you're not immediately going straight into fighting - though I know it's just more waiting for you and the boys, which is mind numbing in and of itself. I'm… I'm just glad you're safe, and I hope you'll continue to stay safe. Your letters are souvenir enough for me, Matthew.

Since you've finished Persuasion, I'm sending you another Austen favorite. It's one of her earlier works, but a classic Jane Austen novel to read. You'll have to let me know who is more prideful, and who is more prejudiced, Mr. Darcy or Elizabeth Bennet? A Hercule Poirot came out about a month ago, so that's also included with this letter. I await your reaction to this murder mystery as well as P&P, and send Persuasion back whenever it's easiest for you, I'm in no hurry to have it back in my hands.

A Merry Belated Christmas to you, my dear Matthew, and an early Happy New Year. May it bring both of us more letters and you safety.

Your Friend,

Alice

[enclosed - in a separate package prepared by Dot Collins and Mr. Butler - is a copy of One, Two, Buckle My Shoe by Agatha Christie, inside Alice had written "To new mysteries and many more in the future. Merry Christmas, Matthew. Stay safe. - A" along with a copy of Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen. Included with her letter are several sheets of thorough notes on pathology - namely rigor mortis and how bruising develops further after death - and underneath the books in the package are some secretly stashed biscuits made from scratch. With the biscuits is a note from Dot that reads "Please enjoy the biscuits (also try to share them) and let Alice or Hugh know of any particular favorite flavors of you or the rest of the men. Godspeed - Dot Collins"]