Caloundra, Queensland

8 August 1942

Sweetheart,

Unfortunately not able to time travel, otherwise this war would be over and I'd be by your side keeping you warm while Miss Adelaide entertains us; she hates the rainforest, by the way, the little miss might not want to come with us as she did in Lebanon. I wish I could have some of Dot's cocoa even if it's humid as hell here.

I've gotten a letter from Christopher, who's still appreciating the photos you send via Jean, and I'm always glad when I can get ones from you. Makes the time pass easier as training continues and news of increasingly bad losses comes more and more.

We've just gotten news that we're to be deployed - can't say where exactly, but we're leaving Australia, sweetheart. I'm letting Mum know too, so don't worry about telling her; it feels worse this time, I don't know… I just have a bad feeling about it at least in Lebanon we could see for miles, the rainforest? I'm not trying to worry you, I just… I'm scared, I think, and you make me feel safe.

Send Mum my love and let me know how the holidays are; take comfort where you can these days, I know I do.

That's my girl, showing men what's what; I'm so proud of you and I know you'll be an amazing pathologist through your own tenacity and Dr. Mac's mentorship. Ashby will accept you the first time you stand up to him (wish I could, unfortunately, the chain of command is a thing), and Old Man Blake will come around eventually. You'll do fantastic work, sweetheart, wherever you decide to live and work, I know you will.

I can definitely imagine the type of questions Agnes Clasby asked, no need to elaborate since she's got less tact than Miss Fisher; I see Nell Clasby is still as nice as ever. Thank you for helping Mum with the drafty house, that was the one thing I didn't have time to do on my last leave, but I'm glad she has you also looking out for her - stubborn as she can be sometimes.

I'm… I'm doing alright. I'm scared about this deployment, but I trust my men (the Americans are another story, but we'll see how this all goes.)

I promise not to get written up for "cheek" (and it's not a lie, it's an inevitable truth and I would just be stretching the timeline a bit… alright, alright, no lying, I promise.) They are awful, though, I swear - army docs (and nurses) are brusque, so little to no bedside manner or empathy for us poor soldiers… but they're good to have in our corner, so I promise not to waste their time, sweetheart.

You'll have to let me know about any new boarders you get, I still want to hear any and all mundane news from Wardlow as we deploy - just like before, sweetheart. I'm glad it's business as usual for all of you, things should stay normal as long as they can - it helps that Melbourne is so far from the fronts that there's not as much worry as Darwin or Brisbane… stay safe, sweetheart, and I'll do the same here.

Thank you for the stronger reminders, it's certainly helping (even if the boys sometimes tease when they catch me smelling my letters, but there are more and more of them who are doing the same.) No chance of leave any time soon, unfortunately, but we just have to be patient and I'll have you in my arms sooner than you think. The letters will have to be enough until that day, and I'm glad you've been making friends with the postman - strange as it could be, but it means I know you'll get my letters promptly. Your perfume and memories of our time together keep me going and I treasure them dearly.

Hugh still found out, but thankfully just told me to stop complaining to you about our training; he found it funny, chiding me like Jack used to chide both of us at City South, but he's right. I shouldn't complain to you when there's so much more for us to talk about… and thank you, the lessons of childhood (dealing with my father and MacAvoy) aren't easy to shake once you've grown. You're more than enough for me too, sweetheart.

We'll behave around the Americans, but if they start anything… well, we will behave, no guarantee for them. I'm sorry they've been exhausting for you and the other waitresses, hopefully, they learn some manners before the war is out.

I know, I know, I'll stop teasing the censorship readers. I hoped they liked the biscuits.

[Written in the margins next to this sentence is different handwriting - darker, thicker than Matthew's penmanship - and it says "We did, don't hesitate to send more whenever - Censorship"]

Fingers crossed this campaign doesn't last so long so I can come to your graduation, but I look forward to meeting Dr. Harvey, sweetheart.

It's warm here - humid (though drier than other times of the year), but warm; I wish I could be there to warm you up, but I'm glad my jumpers can do the job for me for now. Mum loves knitting, so you'll likely be given more things over time as the urge to create hits her; I didn't appreciate them as I grew up, but I do appreciate them now - a reminder of home and something useful to have.

I'll write as often as I can, and I'll try to stay safe as well; I miss you, sweetheart, but know that your letters and news from home keep this tired soldier going every day.

Yours, Affectionately,

Matthew