12 April 1943
Dearest,
An interesting theory about the paint color, but I've been to other places that are painted white and they don't seem to have the same effect… I think it's just how hospitals are: cold, empty, and unwelcome (aside from maternity wards, those are apparently painted nice calming colors, why can't the same be for everywhere else?)
Gibson's and Warner's families will take heart in whatever you wrote, dearest; you told them of their loved ones in ways that the army never did, and that can be a great gift. (Honestly, notifications from the army are so impersonal - if you get them at all, never once did they actually notify me or Mum about you being injured.)
I think Moran tried to put up a front, but within ten minutes he caved and told me how he really felt; he's in for a long recovery - getting an amputation is no easy thing - but he's got a good team at the hospital here in Melbourne, and Mrs. Stanley's been by to visit. He'll work at her home, outside tending some of the gardens that he can do from a chair at first, and then with a stick; she's even going to look into getting an artificial leg for him if he wishes. It helps, I think, for him to know he's got a way to support himself out of the hospital.
I do worry that none of his family have come around; I wonder if he's even told them, or if he has a family to tell. Someone must be wondering about him, don't you think?
He's still beating me at chess, but says I'm improving very quickly - I think he's just being kind.
I asked Mum and she said that Old Man Blake has gotten word that your friend is likely in captivity, and has been since the fall of Singapore. It will definitely be a challenge for all of you who come back, I only hope that we here at home will help you all cope with whatever nightmares remain after service. I'm doing what I can to research it, at the very least… never hurts to be prepared, and it's been helping me a little regarding my own past nightmares.
Miss Adelaide Spitfire will have more beds than she'll know what to do with, and hopefully, she'll actually use them. Should I expect her to somehow end up snuggled next to me while I sleep? I'm assuming that's where she'll actually be since she was always attached to you like a burr.
Matthew, pretending to need hospital care so you can come around for my graduation absolutely is an abuse of privilege. (YES, I am giving you a disapproving look as I write this, much like I did when I read your cheeky remark). If you're able to get leave in time for the celebrations, you will, but if not we'll just put things on pause until you can join us. You need to be patient (but yes, someone should remind them it's been a couple of years since your last leave, you and the boys deserve to rest and recuperate).
I talked with Mum about the idea of her moving in with me to Jack's home, and she very gently turned down that idea; she's not eager to leave Ballarat, and won't entertain the idea until you're back home for good. So, I believe I'll stay a Wardlow a little longer, and get Jack's place ready whenever I know you're coming home… assuming that you'll want to still work in Melbourne and won't want to go back home to Ballarat once the war's done (will it ever be?). I feel the same, however, dearest; home is wherever you are.
I never understood that phrase or feeling… but now I do and it's a nice warm feeling to have.
Jack's willing to part with some of his roses - shocking both me and Miss Fisher as he's very… territorial? Over the blooms; I think they would look absolutely lovely with the bottlebrushes and peonies - the smells alone will make me want to spend as long as I could out in the garden. I don't think a small table set would go amiss, but definitely still leave room enough on the lawn for spontaneous picnics with Miss Spitfire - there's a nice, shady tree that will be absolutely glorious to kip under should the want arise.
Always the charmer… I don't think a big celebration is something I'd want, and I'm not the most comfortable in a church (as much as it'll disappoint Mum), so one option is off the table; still unsure of what I'd wear, though… suppose I'll have to figure that out once the moment comes.
Ed actually got to come home shortly after I sent my last letter - his ship had a horrendous time at sea and he very nearly didn't survive; Lorraine had been feeling unwell - she told me she knew something had happened the moment that it did, and I believe her… I experienced a similar sort of feeling after your incident last year. He's home for a little while longer, and they're not wasting a moment - we've another Wardlow ward marrying. I'm trying to finish this letter before leaving for the local church; I guess it's a good thing Lorraine had been working on that dress for so long!
She won't leave Wardlow, however, Lorraine's perfectly fine staying here until Ed's also home for good; it'll give her a chance to save up more for it and get their finances in order for a fresh new start. I'm just glad he's alright and that they get to have some happiness before he goes off again to another ship in the RAN.
It's slow going, but I think Christopher Jr. is realizing he can do what he would like to do and not take on so much responsibility at a young age; the boxes remark absolutely fits him and Jean to a tee, dearest. I couldn't formulate the correct words for it before, but that's absolutely how they act.
A home that's a safe haven is all I've ever wanted, and I'm glad I get to make it with you.
Drina has surprisingly pulled back on most of her antics - though I suspect it's less to do with her actually choosing to and more of the threats of her parents withholding money; she still shadows Miss Fisher as much as she can, but I can't help but hope she'll find another purpose if only to help all our nerves. I don't know how long she'll stay here and whether or not her parents will make her come home… I think it's a lesson she'll have to find out for herself. Not that there's anything wrong with what she is hoping to do, it's just that the circumstances of how Miss Fisher came to be who she is is very different from someone glorifying the work, I think. Miss Fisher is aware of her actions and faces the consequences of them (even if it doesn't seem that way with her nonchalant attitude), but Drina hasn't quite learned that lesson.
It will certainly be interesting to watch, I'll let you know if we suddenly get a new boarder or not.
I'm happy you're enjoying the romance novels, it's a nice change of pace from what we usually read together; I'm sending you the next Austen read, by the way, Edith mentioned you were close to finishing Emma. This one is short, Northanger Abbey, but since you've been reading the romance novels, I thought it would be a good fit for the next one.
Exactly, the past is the past and we don't need more than Mum, the Andersons, and those at Wardlow, dearest; there's no sense in knocking on the past's door to stir up old demons and ghosts, I rather like the life I have now with you anyways.
(You'd be a wonderful father, much more patient than I would be.)
Edith did send a note that she'd call, and we've worked out that once you're done at the hospital, she'll take some leave down to Melbourne and bring Miss Spitfire with her; I've been getting everything ready for her here at Wardlow - Edith, that is, she'll stay a bit in the guest room. Addy's things have all been brought out and we'll get her some food once it's closer to Edith's trip.
You don't have to thank me, dearest, I'm fond of her too; she'll be safe here and spoiled absolutely rotten by the time you come home for good.
Yours, Lovingly,
Alice
