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Raffles, Beach Road
Singapore
September 8
Dearest Jack
I shall continue to send you telegrams at each rest-stop that has the available service so that you can pass on the news of our status to those who need to hear it. Did you receive them – from Darwin and here? This letter I know will be far slower but it allows me some peace and quiet from father who rails at me constantly whether in the jump seat or on solid ground threatening to abandon our journey at every opportunity. Fortunately he is entirely dependent upon me for his every resource so I must just listen to his aggravation and attempt to ignore it.
We arrived here from Darwin and are to spend several days while the plane gets a bit of an overhaul and re-fuel and father and I have some rest, although I deserve it and he does not. The hotel is very suited to the tropical conditions with a palm court in a grand open lobby and wide verandas. Father has succumbed to the lethal combination of elegance, style and cocktails and spends most of the time in the wood-panelled bar imbibing, where he engages anyone and everyone who will listen to him about his adventurous daughter! You would think he approved of me.
From here we fly to India where I hope to land in Madras then further west to Bombay and on to the Middle East and North Africa before crossing the Continent. In Cairo we are to be guests of a cousin of King Fuad - I made his acquaintance during the war when we, … never mind, a handy contact.
The weather so far hasn’t troubled our flight path but it is due to deteriorate over the next couple of weeks, and we will need to rug up against the cold and rain.
I am well overdue for a drink so will bid you adieu dearest Jack. Although to be sitting with you in the Long Bar with a Singapore Sling is what I would much prefer than propping up father and any of the flotsam and jetsam he has managed to collect.
I have no idea when you will receive this but I understand there is a good air postal service between here and Australia.
You will write to me won’t you Jack? I expect a letter from you to be waiting for me in London.
Yours
Phryne