So I Have Thought of You: The Letters of Penelope Fitzgerald. Penelope Fitzgerald

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СКАЧАТЬ skull and crossbones. I felt tremendous relief when you told me that Angelines was very sweet and that you feel sure they’ll be happy – because it was clear that when Valpy went back in the spring that the engagement must go on, it couldn’t go back, and (as Miss Gray would say) I trust your judgement absolutely – as there can’t be many people who notice things more acutely – and after all she’ll be your sister-in-law long after I’m dead and buried – so it was worth your going out to Cordoba simply to find out how nice she really was, apart from the holiday (not rest, you never seem to get that) which I hope is doing something for your shattered health.

      Maria says it is high time you came back to keep Daddy in order, as he’s getting too independent, and actually is asking how to turn on the television. Meanwhile, wistfully thinking of the smell of orange-blossom, I’m packing the grip to depart to Cornwall – Ria insists on taking a large assortment of clothes, although I think only trousers are necessary. It was pouring with rain in the market in Balham High Rd. today – the water streaming down through their poor stalls and fit-ups, pools of water among the lettuces and apples and all the cheap dresses sodden and streaky and the stallholders covered with sacks and newspapers shouting out ‘It’s a wash-out, dearie – eat your radishes indoors! &c.’ Needless to say the Battersea Easter Parade is going on whatever the weather – but we shan’t have to go to it this year.

      Very many Easter wishes &c. &c.

      I’m putting the mystic envelope you left with me on Maria’s plate tomorrow. It seems Father Sullivan sat grimly in his confessional but no-one came while there was a long queue right round the church for kindly Father Whatsit, the Dutch one – much love Mum X

      

       Playa Andalucía

       Puerto de Santa María

       Provincia de Cádiz

       España

      23 August [c.1966]

      Dearest Tina,

      We arrived safely to discover that you didn’t need vaccination certificates at all – they’d just been declared unnecessary! I got very upset before we went away and said I wouldn’t go at all, I felt I was really going to have a nervous breakdown, like other peoples’ friends do, and Daddy and Maria were very fed up naturally, but there had been such a lot to do, then we had a nice flight to Gibraltar and the rock was lit up so we had a good view of it and not too much delay at the customs. The camp (called a Residential Club) is much more comfortable than we expected as we have a dwarf bath, with real hot water, and pine trees which keep the flies away, and green grass and flowers – there was a large bunch of luridly coloured flowers when we arrived with well come written on them. Everything is made of pinewood, with a built-in cupboard, but quite comfortable and the fashion in beachwear seems to be kibbutz hats so Maria’s is just the thing. Daddy is sunburnt already but luckily I’d brought lots of stuff, Maria however seems to favour burying him in sand up to the neck. As usual, he’s regarded as a high-grade executive by the manager who plies us with revolting Spanish champagne and when I admired the water jug he presented it to me (quaint Andalusian hospitality). Puerto de Santa María is rather nice, we walked in yesterday and went to one of those dark places with barrels to have some wine – we got a lift back fortunately. En España son muchos burros – Maria approves of these though a bit insular about absence of Golden Shred &c. She is being very patient about fusty old parents but I think it would be worse to try and find nice friends among the very mixed inhabitants and it is a lovely beach – waves, as it’s the Atlantic, but so far the Woolies lilo rides triumphantly over them with its vulgar red stripes. Hope for bullfight (’murder on Sunday p.m.’) in Puerto on Sunday.

      We’re longing for a letter from you although I suppose it’s too early to hope for one yet. Have left some supplies in frig: by the way.

      Much much love from all

      Mum.

      

      Love to Linda. How is Mrs Dent?

      

       Playa Andalucia

       Puerto Sta. Maria

      29 August [1966]

      Dearest Tina,

      Thankyou so much for your letter, we did enjoy reading it. I see that Mrs Dent appears to have lost all control but I don’t care at all if it gives you a better holiday, only I hope Mrs Dunant never gets to hear about all the spumante. It sounds lovely and it’s a bit of luck that, after all, they were all nice. We’re longing to see you, postcards, souvenirs, sun-tan &c. I hope you won’t be completely tired of telling about it by Monday night. Amazed to hear about the sword dance.

      We have got very fond of our little house among the pines, I do like the sound of the sea at night as you know and find it very easy to sleep here. Last night the proprietor (who’s from Cordoba and wears a succession of silk suits, it’s impossible to get Daddy sufficiently tidy to live up to him) and his wife, who is very nice but speaks only Spanish; he took her to England however while he was learning the business and she spoke rapturously of the C & A. She still has some things from there. She’s from Seville, and says that all Columbus’ crew were Sevillans, though from the prisons. Maria was threatened with a huge lobster but managed to get her something else. She has been very long-suffering having to be with us and always seems to enjoy everything – the bullfight went very well as everything happened – a bull jumped out of the ring, one was objected to and had to be lured out of the ring by some enormous brown and white oxen with huge bells, and then we had one very good fight where the man knelt down &c. It was a very magnificent occasion and the mayor arrived in a carriage & horses but unfortunately Maria thinks she didn’t ‘wind on’ the film so I don’t know if any record will remain. We are hoping you will show us Holiday Snaps of Tom, Rob, &c. &c. as well as much culture. I wonder if Rosalyn is the one with the large marble-like features?

      much love and longing to see you

      Mum

      

      You will just water the plants, won’t you?

      

       Old Terry Bank

       Kirkby Lonsdale

       Westmorland

      1 August [1967]

      Dearest Tina,

      I felt distressed at seeing you disappear, we all did, particularly as Daddy said the 2 young men sitting next to you looked very rough and we wished they were a nice English lady; but I daresay you could deal with them. Now I am waiting eagerly to hear what it is like at Courcelles-Chaussy and whether the Comtesse met you, oh dear I do think you showed considerable courage going off like that.

      Meanwhile we transferred to Euston, (so sordid as it’s still all kept up by scaffolding) and had to change at Preston (antique Victorian station with Corinthian pillars in wrought iron) and catch a local to Carnforth, Maria was very patient though we had 2 nuns in the carriage who watched every morsel we ate.

      I’m now sitting in the (nice) church in Kirkby Lonsdale while Willie^* practises the organ (100 years old and painted with flowers and crowns on top of the pipes) she is playing СКАЧАТЬ