March 25th 59

Written on HSBC Jesselton airmail letter

Scribbled at top in pencil "Margo is coming home today Thursday. Thanks for your ? and hope you are all well. Love Peter.

My dear Mum & Dad,

Another little granddaughter for you! Peter doesn't seem to mind that he is destined to be surrounded by women for the rest of his life! Susan Marguerite is a dear little soul, dark & looks rather like Adrienne did as a baby. I have decided not to feed her myself so I'm having plenty of rest as the student nurses like to give her a bottle - this is a boon at 6am & 10pm! I am very comfortable in the hospital & have a large room with balcony & bathroom attached - also air-conditioning which I am making the most of as it is very hot & dusty in Jesselton at the moment. My stitches are coming out today so I shall probably go home tomorrow in time for Easter. Peter has 4 days off which will make a nice break for him.

Caroline is thrilled with Susan & wants to know why she can't sleep in her own cot at home instead of the hospital cradle. As for Adrienne, she gave me an unseeing stare when she visited me & then interested herself in the air -conditioner. she acknowledged Susan by a hefty pat on the head!

Peter has taken some more snaps of C & A so I'm hoping that they will come out well. Adrienne has grown a great deal since we have been here & I think she will start walking very soon.

We have three European nurses at this hospital - a matron & 2 sisters. All are very pleasant & Sister Smith, who actually delivered Susan was a great comfort (even tho' she was called out at 2am & Susan didn't arrive until 2.40pm!)

I'm glad Alan has now passed his test, - he will get a lot of enjoyment out of his car. Now that Susan has arrived I must concentrate on passing my test so that I can get about more. Caroline enjoys her swimming so much that it will be nice to be able to take her to the beach during the week. Also Adrienne enjoyed paddling the last time we took her down so I expect she will soon want a rubber ring like Caroline. Did Peter tell you that one of our kittens has died - I'm not really sorry as the mother & one other will be quite enough to have around.

Hoping you are all well & are having some Spring weather love from Margo. Big kisses from Caroline & Adrienne & a little kiss from Susan.

18th March 59

Written on HSBC Jesselton airmail letter.

Dear Mum Dad and Alan,

Well once again everything is over and just fine. I took Margo in yesterday evening when nothing much was happening. A comfortable bedroom, very cool with private bathroom. Things started at 1.30 am and went slowly on. I saw her at 7.30 am 12am 2pm and by then the time was getting close. Had a ring in the office and Susan had arrived at 2.40pm. A drawn out business but Margo was fine though the usual stitches were put in. I saw her at 4pm when she returned to her room and we had tea to-gether. The sister there was very good indeed and helped a lot. Margo is now having a well earned sleep and I shall see her again this evening. Her room is on the ground floor and opens onto the main square of the hospital so I can pop in and out whenever I want to. The other two children are doing well and are at the moment visiting two small boys on the coast and am just off to pick them up.

Cheerio for now and love Peter

P.S. I ought not to have anymore washing up to do on leave!

Shall put the birth in Telegraph P.