14th September, 1924

Dear Alfie,

I was so excited to receive your letter. I never get letters so it's lovely to get yours. Thank you so much for the apples too. You really don't have to keep sending them, but I do love them. I still can't believe you pick them yourself but I did see the leaves on the stalks so maybe you do. It makes me smile to think of you harvesting apples. It's kind of you to take the time to do such a nice thing for me. No one's picked fruit especially for me before.

Thank you for the compliments about my handwriting. We have a very strict teacher at school who makes us write everything out again if our handwriting isn't up to scratch. The stationery was given to me by Arthur for my birthday. It was so that I could write to him when he and his wife moved to America but after everything that happened they didn't go. I'm glad they're still here but I don't see him that much. Linda doesn't really like him to see the family which makes me sad. They've just had a baby boy but I've not met him yet. I'm sure I will soon. Ada has moved to Boston. She's got a fancy new job with the company over there now. We write to each other every week but I miss her a lot. Writing letters isn't the same as talking face to face.

I appreciate your concern for me but you really don't need to worry. I'm fine, I really am. I don't even think about what happened anymore. Talking about it won't help, I don't think. Nobody talks about things like that. Besides, Arthur, John, Michael and Aunt Pol all went through worse. They were almost hung! (That's the second time this has happened to Arthur, remember?) They had the actual noose around their necks before the pardon came through. Imagine that! It must have been awful and they're all still a bit upset. But us Shelbys are strong, we'll be fine. If I'm honest, sometimes memories of what happened come back to me but I just ignore them. They'll stop eventually, I'm sure. The medicine helps to stop the memories so it must be a good thing. The doctor said it helps lots of people who have things they'd rather forget. Aunt Polly is taking some tablets too. I'm not sure if they're helping her though. She's changed quite a lot. Hopefully they will eventually.

I'm glad to hear your business is doing so well. That must make you feel good. I think Tommy's business is going well. He owns a lot of things now – factories, houses, restaurants, clubs. Michael tells me all about them. He comes to the house sometimes to talk business with Tommy and he'll come and see me too. He fills me in on what's going on. Tommy would tell me, of course, but he's really busy and isn't home for meals very often. He wears spectacles most of the time now. He looks very distinguished, I think.

I haven't been out on Nua (that's my horse) yet. Since I got back, I've stayed in the house and haven't been out to the stables so far. I will though. I'm just waiting for my feet to heal and my cough to go and then I'll be out galloping in the fields again, don't worry.

Please write to me again, Alfie. It's so lovely to hear from you.

I remain your loving friend,

Rose