January 5th 1975
Dear Dave,
Hoping that you are as well as I am. Isn't time flying? Things are not so good here in England. Prices have risen shockingly high and we're all wondering how we're going to survive. I've not spent large amounts of money these last few weeks in an endeavour to save our money to help us in the future. But even so I'm shutting out all realities and trying to enjoy, well being happy for the moment.
Your present to my mum and dad have been admired by all who enter our home. Mary Masters, in particular, is struck by the beauty of it as for me daren't look at it too long as I may get depressed no thats not the word, slightly low in spirits. My period is over so I'm feeling much happier and emotionally ready to cope with anything.
Do you remember that you didn't want me to work in a factory in case I had my fingers chopped off, well I'm not doing so badly even at B.H.S last Friday I was coming from the stockroom with a few boxes which were required by Doreen, my supervisor. To get to my department I had to pass the sweet counter. Unfortunately a flap off the box caught one of the basket sections and sent it flying to the floor. Sweets went everywhere. Unluckily at that moment, a man, a Mr Denton from H.Q, was in the store looking for imperfections. We hurriedly put the sweets into the basket before the manager and Mr. Denton spotted us. In doing so I didn't notice the broken glass which was sticking up like a spearhead. Blood gushed out. There was no pain and I just looked for a few mins. Then as the blood was falling to the floor, I hurried to a back room and held a towel tight against it. At that particular moment, Mr. Goddard and Mr. Denton walked in. Mr. Denton was full of concern when he saw how deep the wound was. I could sense that Mr. Goddard wasn't too pleased at my inefficiency, well neither was I. I hurried away to the sickroom and I was given some treatment. The staff manageress came rushing in and was annoyed to find that it was only me, that the fuss was about, and not a customer. I could have laughed at her expression when she saw me. Anyway about 5 mins later I was working, perhaps not as efficiently as before but my hand was sore. It's still a wee bit sore and I've got a plaster over it as I'd hate infection setting in. As I was leaving that evening, Mr. Goddard said that Mr. Denton had asked if I'd needed a blood transfusion and he would have come and held my hand.
You know how I can talk to anyone well yesterday I went to catch a 'bus, the routes have changed, and I was making my way for the link road when I saw the 'bus come round so I ran like the clappers, (I'm sure I'm losing weight) when the driver, in sympathy stopped just before the stop to pick me up. Luckily for me the driver had made a mistake and should have been in Cropston. Unfortunately for him a car had been sent out to see if the lads were on time and on the right route. This car spotted us and the driver said that if anyone rang in to ask where the 'bus was in Cropston it would meant the sack for him. We spent the journey talking to one another, all the time.
I managed to read 3 stories (books) yesterday and all I could dream about was you. I spent an hour trying to get to sleep but my thoughts were full of you. You see, there was an advert, last night, with "has beans" involved which brought back the memory of the meal we had with the beans on toast when I said that they weren't Heinz beans and you said that they were "Has beans". Someone's bruited your idea. By the way I came across one sock the other day, yours of course.
The bed spread if now well and truly finished and in my opinion looks very professional. Before you say anything, mum Sturt likes it as well. The newyears day brought some sadness 'cos you are so like your father. Certain mannerisms that you've both got are so appealing and loveable that I could have looked at him all night. He laughed practically all evening. I'm afraid that I've picked up some of your remarks and unconsciously they come out in my speech. Several times. Mum Sturt said that I'd picked up Sturt phrases.
The new shoes you purchased for me have been polished with honest to goodness polish and not kiwi soldier stuff. Are you satisfied, my dear David.
About half an hour ago I had just finished a book called, "Rendezvous in Cyprus" by Barbara Toy. No it's not a romance. This woman went to Cyprus and went around the island in a land rover. It so impressed me that 2 hours went by and the book was finished. Thanks to the book my enthusiasm has returned for Cyprus and I would like to see the island returned to peacefulness and love. Unrealistic you say but it could be done. What you said about the cats tallied with what was written. What you both didn't agree upon was the fact that they weren't flea bitten as you suggested.
Your "need" for lying in has now rubbed onto me because on my days off I feel very deprived if I have to get up before 9 o'clock. By the way, the letter before this one answered the one that was posted in England and I have received the one that you wrote on the 21st. Thank you for that letter. It bucked me up. It's great hearing from you.
Now I'm going to turn to knitting. Lots of love Maria.
P.T.O
Have enclosed something that might amuse you I know my writing is erratic but please persevere and decipher it (ha!ha!).
All the love in the world, Maria.
P.S I am now on the last lap where the pullover is concerned and that means that I have only one sleeve left to do and then I'm finished. My only worry is that it may be too big!!! I only hope you like it.
Love U xxxx.