The CBB :: View topic - A Wartime Correspondence

#1: A Wartime Correspondence Author: Liss, Location: Harrow, London

Posted: Sun Sep 12, 2004 1:53 pm

I'm not sure what this is all about. I just wondered what Harriet Vane would make of Joey. I also got excited because I thought Talboys was set in Herefordshire, only, of course, it's Hertfordshire, but I have ignored that. After all, they both begin with H!

I have read both Thrones, Dominations and A Presumption of Death, but am not considering them canon.

---

Talboys
3 May 1940

My dear Peter,

Bad news from the home front – someone has taught Bredon how to yodel. I have yet to find out who was responsible for this undertaking, but you may be sure I will turn my detective skills to it immediately! So far “a boy called David” is all I have managed to extract, which means nothing to myself or, more unusually, to Mrs Ruddle. She puts it town to 'them London kids', but I hardly think a poor child from the slums is any more likely to know how to yodel than Bredon. It is quite unfortunate, because he let loose when Agnes Twitterton came to call, and nearly startled her to death. He did it deliberately, what's more. I fear I have become dependent on you in the past, Peter – the thought of having to spank him myself suddenly seemed an overwhelming responsibility, but I screwed my courage to the sticking point, and was quite firm.

The choir has once again been decimated, as a number of girls from the village have been called up, and Mr Goodacre is at his wits' ends. This far more than any bombing seems to him to be the evil result of war! And I suppose, really, that he is right: the continual disruption of an ordinary way of life; all must stop in order to maintain an equilibrium.

I have heard from your mother, who has kindly invited us to visit Duke's Denver any time we wished. She was obliging enough to tell me that Helen was in London 'for the duration', and unlikely to bother us – or Gerald, for that matter, who has been in a remarkably good mood ever since she left. Those are your mother's words, not mine! Anyway, I'm sure Helen will find some good to do in London. For all her faults, she's the kind of person you can rely on in this sort of situation.

I won't ask where you are, Peter, but be sure that I am always thinking of you. Take care, and your mother says to remind you not to expose yourself to weather that is too hot, as it has never agreed with you. Please give my warmest regards to Bunter.

Harriet

#2: Author: Guest,

Posted: Sun Sep 12, 2004 2:10 pm

Ooooohhhh! What a wonderful idea, Liss! But are you certain you have time for all these drabbles?

*ducks and runs*

#3: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2004 9:41 am

OOHH! Another new drabble. THank you Liss. Hoping to see the next part very soon.

#4: Author: Nell, Location: London, England

Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2004 12:53 pm

Lloking good! I love Harriet and Peter!

#5: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2004 12:55 pm

Thank you, Liss. You're not going to give up halfway through this one, are you?

#6: Author: Alex, Location: Manchester

Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2004 1:40 pm

Wonder if Joey will join the choir! And Harriet and Joey are both writers. SO much potential.

#7: Author: Liss, Location: Harrow, London

Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2004 7:51 pm

Jennie wrote:

Thank you, Liss. You're not going to give up halfway through this one, are you?

Er, yes, probably. Sorry!

---

Talboys
8 May 1940

Dearest Peter,

Rejoicings from the vicarage! A new family has moved into the next village, and has already proved a source of material for the choir. Mr Goodacre has been in high alt over it ever since they appeared in church on Sunday. Dr and Mrs Russell, and a large number of children. Mrs Russell seems a pleasant enough woman, though she has already exhibited signs of 'my husband knows best' but I am possibly being unkind. She is certainly a very attractive woman, a few years younger than I am. She is also, I discovered the mother of David the yodeller. Apparently they have spent time somewhere in the Alps, hence the yodelling.

You will be delighted to hear that I have started a new book. My publishers have been champing at the bit, rather, so I sent them an outline last week. Robert Templeton discovers a murder in a so-called haunted house, only it turns out not to be haunted at all, of course. I'm not sure about it, myself, though they telephoned and seemed quite keen. I can't help but feel that all these murders become a little monotonous after a while. I must ask Charles. Did you ever get bored of detecting? I suppose not: you could always just say no to people, which is quite a different matter.

Later: I've just seen the most remarkable girl! She made me think of that Campion poem – you know the one, “Her eyes like angels” and “There is a garden in her face”. I haven't a clue who she is, and neither does Mrs Goodacre (we were outside the church). We think she may be connected with the new arrivals, though it's hard to keep track of these days. Mrs Ruddle was raging this morning because Bert had been laughed at by some evacuees. Apparently, it 'just all goes to show', though she didn't say exactly what it went to show. How you must miss Mrs Ruddle!

The children are calling for me, so I must finish.

With all my heart, yours

Harriet

#8: Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent

Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2004 8:16 pm

Love the little aside about Madge! Laughing

#9: Author: Ann, Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, England

Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2004 10:41 pm

Ooh, uncanny... I've just started reading Busman's Honeymoon...

#10: Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!!

Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2004 1:52 am

Liss wrote:

Jennie wrote:

Thank you, Liss. You're not going to give up halfway through this one, are you?

Er, yes, probably. Sorry!

LOL!!!
Well, at least you're honest about it Liss! Wink

And may we have a bit more please?

#11: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2004 10:39 am

Lovely Liss, thank you.

#12: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2004 4:29 pm

Where's the next bit? Looks around for Liss.

#13: Author: Mora, Location: Lancaster

Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2004 7:47 pm

Haven't read any Dorothy L. Sayers but I'm still enjoying this. It's funny to get an outsider's perspective on the CS 'newcomers'.

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