Michael Billings Collection - Wallet 7 - Part 4 of 12

22. 3. 43   
Dearest Kay,
As forecast, today brought welcome relief to
this avid letter seeker, yours of the 16th coming to hand.
Was confident of a bigger bag but it was jolly fine to hear
from you. The letters lately pursue a leisurely course
through the postal channels, this one taking six days
to reach its gole goal. I'm pleased you've participated
in the delivery, seeing you find them so good for your heart.
There's more in transit as I've written practically every
day and shall continue to do so as long as we are
here. Its just as sweet as ever to read of your buoyant
health and you seem to have banished your ills
properly. Am still at the same spot and I'm starting
to think the business has fallen through. The game
has a funny stink about it to me but of course I'm
only guessing. Still, oodles of leave going and it would
have been a dream with you still here. I strongly disagree
with you about the alleged parting being harder with you
here, my sweet. Shame on you, it would be wonderful,
I haven't spent that many days with you that I would
willingly pass up a single one if I had the choice.
You apparently don't realise how vital and necessary you
are to me. But for the very extenuating circumstances
that made you depart, you would never have got out of
here while I was here, sweetest of wives. Our parting
would not be the pale affair it will be with you

2/
gone but a time brimful of all those lovely things we
love, one that would ring in our memories for many a
day. That young nip had better be good to you after all
the sacrifices you've made for him or I shall tan his
pink bottom. Still, as you say, we will have a lasting
reminder of what marvellous days we did spend together
and after such joy, one shouldn't get too greedy. Your
generous offer to lavish much care and affection upon me
later on will be gratefully accepted and I warn you I'm
a hog for your soothing syrups.
I'm glad the newly-weds 
had such a fine time at the sea, it was the least they
were entitled to and when John rejoins his regiment, the
memory will stand him in good stead when he feels
lonely, as we do, I can tell you. Speaking on the same
subject; Rex Doubé whom you met was married to a
sister at the military hospital today. They're going off steadily,
since coming back to Aust, just on 50 have seen the
light. 
Today I've slipped back into my stilted
style and am pleased inspiration enabled me to turn
out a couple of letters with a bit of soul in them
before the well dried up. So bungho, lovely one
and may you prosper exceedingly well. I smother
you with kisses for the simple reason that you are
all mine and I love you terrifically always.
Micky

PROO610
Australian
War Memorial

AIR MAIL
22.3.43

Mrs. M. Billings      
548 Barker's Road.
East Hawthorn.
Victoria

PR00610
Australian
War Memorial 

24.  3.  43.
Darling,
Thanks fair maid for yours of 17th & 19th March
to hand yesterday and which I intended to reply to
the same day. However, t'was a night of alarms
and excursions and just as I was sitting down to have
a crack at it, interruption came noisily and by the
time the hubbub died down, t'was time to quench
the lamp. So sorry my sweet but there you are.
So pleased you've been getting your quota from me of late
and that the contents are palatable to you. Don't
thank me, pet, for them as the opportunity occurs
and what is more nicer or more proper than that
I should have a yarn with my deaf mate. I see the
heir to our vast estates is still keeping his nose
clean and not unduly belabouring his ma. You two
seem to have reached an amicable understanding now
and in consideration of all you've provided for his
welfare, perhaps sonny is going to be a good boy
like his old man. You've certainly accumulated a
tidy trousseau for him in a remarkably short time
and may I congratulate you upon your efforts.
As is apparent, the lord & master 
still vegetates at the same dive, beyond that there's
nothing more to be said. It made my heart glow to
read that you look forward to my next visit with
such keenness. Mine is razor edged and I'm glad

2/
to find you a worthy rival. It will be just marvellous
to take up just where we left off and as you say we
will be closer than ever now that an unbreakable bond
has been forged between us. The prospect of being with
you and wooing you just like we used to fills me
with love for you such a lovely bride have you been
and after the babe is born and your vigor and verve
return to you in full measure, I'm sure the making
of love to you in all its many phases will send me
into a Seventh heaven. It will be marvellous to take
the little mite in of my arms and play with it and
see the tiny face crinkle into a chuckle. Although I was a
nipper I used to look after young John a lot and take
him out for a spin so you I'm not a new novice at the
game. Its bonzer Ada loaning you such a nifty christening
robe and I would give a lot to be there for it. I
think your suggestion for second names is first class,
a flavouring of the parents' handles is alright if needed
and maybe they will have to be included as you imply.
Anyhow if Michael & Ann are good enough for the
proud parents, I can't see that the infant will be any
the poorer for having either of them. I haven't
made up my mind about the godfather if the bairn
is a male specimen but will think it over and let
you know in a few days. Do you know I would have
liked my brother John to act but that seems to
be out of the question. 

3/
Very sorry to hear you had a touch of
the blues, I hope that feeling has long since given
place to a more cheery outlook. It's sure hard
for you to put a smiling face on all the time so
don't let your occasional depression worry you.
Your mosquito net trimmings must look mighty 
attractive and when the bassinet takes shape, the
arrangement will be charming. John's leave seemed to go
very quick but it's always like that. At least he
accomplished great things during the short time.
Due to more interruptions, 
lights out is nigh before I can spread myself more 
fully as I would like but shall look forward 
to tomorrow for more time. So for a second
sweetheart, I must close but do so sending you
all my love and no kidding. Good Health to
you and a million kisses. Cheerio
Micky

AIR MAIL
24.3.43

Mrs. M. Billings     
548 Barkers Road
East Hawthorn
Victoria 

26. 3. 43.
Darling Kay
To resume where I was rudely disturbed
yesterday, let me first report the arrival today of
yours of 20th March, a goodly epistle which gave
me great pleasure to peruse. It was a coincidence;
yesterday I dropped my pen on the floor and as
you can see by the writing, ruined the point
of the nib, to my dismay. Then I got your letter
and lo and behold you've smashed yours in two.
A sorry day for us, mine was over 10 years old,
a trophy of my running days at Malvern. Yours
fears of a lengthy gap in the letters were not
well founded as you will have discovered in this.
Or at least they should be. I do hope your spasm
of the dumps has blown away and you can view
the stormy world more serenely because your
bodily discomfort is more than sufficient to be
saddled with. Poor darling, I wish I was around
to pet you and help laugh your troubles away.
I see you chide me on my confidence that our infant
will be a lad. Never fear, I shan't be cut up if its
Barbara who greets the judge, like you as long as it's
a lusty babe, I will be more than satisfied. My
continual reference to him in my letters was pure
literary laziness. Fancy at this time, the child being
in a stage of such advanced development, what does it

2/
do for the remaining weeks, have a good spine bash.
If its like other things,  oth these prenatal troubles
that give one the shivers must often be caused by the
parents not following out the instructions they are given.
That's why I reckon you will have a comparatively good
spin as you've done all that's expected of you. Success is
usually deserved. I wouldn't be upset over your robust
appetite as the I babe must assimilate a goodly share
of your intake and if you feel hungry, you must eat.
I can't see how it's good for either of you if you feel you
have not enough to eat as proper development on its part
and retention of strength on yours seem essential. You certainly
spread yourself talking about junior in this letter and its
beautiful to understand your affection for the little one.
I can see you're going to be a champion mother.
No further news from this 
burg. Stalemate reigns still and have slipped back into 
the old routine, the effort at remaining on the fort
being simply too strenuous. Feel pretty tired tonight,
its very moist and have been running about a lot
accomplishing little though. So shall not elaborate
today as the mist is foggy. Ta-ta for another
day, my own and I love you forever.  Kisses
for Richard and Mother
Sweet dreams,
Micky

PROO610
Australian
War Memorial