13 February 1943

Dearest,

It's funny how you finally got all of my letters, and yet I'm still missing the one from you months ago… I wonder what happened to it (you didn't say anything you weren't allowed to, did you? Would the army have taken it?) I'm glad you finally got them, as… devastating as they are (don't make me feel like that again, Staff Sergeant Lawson, promise me.)

I'm sure that Edith isn't pushing you too hard, physical therapy for an injury such as yours is needed so the muscles relearn how to do everything; it'll be painful, I know, but it's needed to lessen the pain over time. Addy's also there for moral support - how actually supportive it turns out to be is entirely up to her.

I've warned Dot about the vermin hunting - she gave me a look, but I suppose it would be welcomed in the kitchen. (The butler was much more enthusiastic about an assistant in keeping mice out of the pantry, I have a feeling Miss Spitfire is going to get spoiled even more once she gets here.)

We've got time to figure out how to get her here, dearest, there's no rush.

Edith's tales contradict your assertion that you don't terrorize the nurses; stop being so grumpy unless you want more treatment at the hands of a frustrated Edith.

It still feels surreal that this is my last year of school; I don't even know what I'll do with myself once I'm done. (Lies, I'll have to work, but that means I can save up for a place of our own and for work to be done on the Ballarat home.) I miss you too, I wish you were here and safe from harm, but I'll take you any way I can get it - even if that's just words on a page at the moment.

Wardlow would definitely be too crowded, it's a little crowded these days with the new boarders and the Collinses are staying over to have some work done on their home. As much as I love and appreciate staying at Wardlow, I want my own place, a home… a quiet home with you and Miss Spitfire… I think we've deserved that, don't you?

The new boarders are two young women; Lorraine is sweet, she's a secretary for the local diocese, and has a knack for numbers. Her beau, Ed, is also serving like you, so we've bonded a little over that, and she sounds so sure of them afterward that I hope nothing goes wrong for him or her. (They're childhood sweethearts, it's very endearing to hear about everything they've experienced). The other, Drina (short for Alexandrina, family name), is a bit more like Miss Fisher in personality, and she has absolutely no desire to settle down or have children yet and gets a little too excited hearing all of Miss Fisher's escapades.

Poor Jack, he has to deal with Miss Fisher potentially having a protege.

They're both adjusting well to life at Wardlow so far, which I'm very glad about; it's hard enough getting new people to get used to, it would have been far worse if they also didn't get along with the rest of us here.

Oh very funny, Matthew; I am not collecting Matthews… I still don't know why he likes me, but… it is nice to hold him when he's sleeping (though I still don't like the drool, how does that much come out of a small baby?)

Clara wishes you well and wishes Edith would write her more (no doubt they're gossiping about us, my dear). I'm also very sure you gave Addy adequate attention after she was traded for photos.

If you say so… I love Mum, but I don't know if we'll ever be ready for that conversation. She does dote on the Beazley boys as much as she does Rose, and I know they appreciate it since Christopher's family are long gone and Jean's very tight-lipped about her own.

You know, now that you remind me, Emma does sound like Jean; not the Jean we know and love today, but maybe an earlier one? Before the war? Before the farm? Before Christopher? I know very little of Jean's past other than she grew up a farm girl… did she ever want to leave it? Leave Ballarat behind like I did Sydney (granted, not of my own decision)?

I'm glad you liked the biscuits! I've included some more and also a valentine for you, my dearest Matthew. It's… silly, but I did have fun making it (after I found a shade of pink I liked). I love you, Matthew, and I don't need a special holiday to say it, but it's nice to be reminded of it.

(Yes, before you ask, Miss Fisher's house is done up in pink again, though significantly more muted than years before with the rationing.)

I miss you, I love you, I hope you're recovering. Give Addy my love!

Yours,

Alice


an: who knew grad school + working retail would take this much out of me. midterms have come and gone (I passed), Momma visited and unknowingly passed a v mild case of covid on to me (mild enough to not be transmissible to other people from me, but I'm still suffering lmao), so it's been a bit, but I hope you enjoyed! as always, thank you for your patience - Dee