Riverwoods House
Marlow-on-Thames
28.4.19
My own dear Cyril
The reason I wired from Wood Green was because I wanted you to know that Wednesday at 6 pm is the best time for you to catch Miss Timpson – she will be out on other days except Friday.
I went with Miss Timpson to see the Coal Controller who hangs out in the Town Hall in the Park opposite. We were told that coal rationing stops on June 1st – so we arranged that coal (1 ton or 1 ton and ½) should be sent in Miss Timpson’s name and we will pay the bill.
Reference food rationing – we have only got to present our ration books as a matter of form and we will then be issued with emergency cards – which will last until rationing ceases. I will give my book to Betty or will send it to you as soon as I can get hold of it. At any rate you can register on your own card. I hadn’t time to go to any food shops.
I bought the bed at Mason’s locally in Wood Green – just where all the cross lines run at the bottom of the hill. The bedstead is good brass all through, second hand, and the bedding is new. The man is making us up one to fit the bed which is 5 feet across and 6½ feet long – very good spring and horsehair mattress. Being brass it is very good and inclusive of mattress, spring, and pillows and bolsters, I paid £15-10.
When things become normal it will pay us to have the brass relacquered, and it will then be a very handsome bed. The bedstead will be delivered on Friday at 14 Woodside Rd, and the mattress on Saturday week in the early afternoon without fail. Being so wide it had to be made to fit the bed. I stupidly forgot to measure the bedroom but at any rate it must be more than 6½ ft wide the length of the bed. The extra bedroom is quite a respectable size but only contains a bed. The maid can wash in the bathroom until we can rig something up for her.
There will be a slight increase in the rent, but I suggest that 10/- a month should cover it as the room is not completely furnished - and instead of adding a clause to the agreement I suggest paying down for the three months for the extra room. It is worth having and make things much more comfortable.
Miss T is leaving us blankets. My linen (our linen) will leave here tomorrow or Wednesday by rail – we have ample to carry on with.
The only things left to be done are for you to sign the inventory (which by the way I checked). It is carefully compiled, anything chipped or faulty is noted. There is more odd crockery in the house, gardening tools etc which she has not entered in the inventory.
The other thing is registering.
I’m sorry I could not fix this up, too. Miss T was very nice and did not cut up rough about having no one in the house after she leaves. I told her Betty and the maid would open the house for us, which satisfied her.
Another day gone, thank Heaven! I couldn’t stand more than this week without seeing you.
Lots and lots of love – my man.
God bless you.
Ever your own
Mela
