Darling Pol

by Mary Wesley

  I love you, and the boys. Goodnight.

  Eric

  At the end of 1950 Eric changed solicitors and instructed the experienced firm of Gordon Dadds, which had handled Mary’s divorce case. After hearing his account of his wife’s behaviour they quickly advised him to sue Phyllis for divorce once again, this time on grounds of cruelty.

  Easton Court – 28.12.50

  Dear love,

  … You are good and good to the little boys. When Toby is odious it wrings my heart because he should never be odious to you, only to me. Only perhaps by including you in his cruel net he puts you above all others … This morning when you left I saw two large tears and said, ‘Why are you sad?’ ‘I don’t like Eric to go,’ he said and hid his head under the bedclothes …

  I went to the village and saw Glyn Hughes.fn8 He will write his statement but does not want to be put in the box. I said he wouldn’t be. Few will step in willingly. I think perhaps of all of them only Ronnie [Emanuel] and Nancy will be unselfish. A sweet letter from Nancy. She has had a request for an interview from Gordon …

  I have arranged tea parties for various days … so the last week of the hols will be busy. How fast they go, already half-way. I shall be very desolate alone when they are gone. I must get busy and see the crammer …

  Enjoy yourself and do not forget me, when you smell the roasting chestnuts of the street vendors, when you sip your ouzo … when you fly up the Gulf of Corinth, when the waiter corrects your pronunciation, remember me, for Athens was ours together …

  Park Lane Hotel, Piccadilly, W1 – 31.12.50: 8am

  Darling,

  Herewith cheque for £65 … My ration bookfn9 is missing, but will turn up. The secretary at Portals has car papers ready for us; if you must have them before my return, please write privately to Marsden …

  Your letter was wonderful.

  All my love,

  E.

  Chagford – 16.1.51

  … I bathed Pebble in Lux and we walked up to the point … The view exquisite, heavy browns, greys and purples under a cloudy sky and a wet west wind blowing in from the sea …

  I have laid aside Sitwell and am reading Turgenev. So funny sometimes and so clever always about dogs.

  Pebble points at his bag of biscuit and today when I have moved it up out of sight he ‘points’ at the basket where it was before smiling and wagging to show that he is making a joke …

  Chagford – 17.1.51

  … We seem to be dogged by delays with poor Uncle Charley’s trust …

  In his last letter Leest says he knows I want the £1500 advance in cash, less £200 to himself and £400 to Rutherford, and that he is finding out how much more money there is to come to me … I do not wish to show Gordon any of his letters as each one makes some remark or an allusion to something already obtained, and I do not consider this any of the old Shylock’s biz! On the other hand I think he is fully entitled to assure himself of his costs.fn10

  Chagford – 22.1.51

  … In a way PK did us a good turn getting us out of Berlin … I feel loving and strong. We have gained a lot of ground during this last year. Come what may I think we won’t lose it again …

  Chagford – 23.1.51

  I have begun. By this I mean that I have transported in rough order the notes for my book from my mind to paper. A few days of note making and then I can write that hideous first paragraph after which it will be easier and a very suitable task for me …

  Did the book arrive safely? How glad I am that you are writing again …

  It is raining and blowing and Elizabeth who brings the tea ‘’ates January’ and ‘longs for a lighted ballroom with an orchestra. There’s nothing in Chagford.’ But I love it when there’s a fire and even Pebble does not want to go out. I have nearly finished the Turgenev and loved it. He so ably describes the Russian utter irresponsibility and foolishness and indifference to human life …

  Laverstoke Mills – 24.1.51

  Another of your best letters today. They give me joy and inspiration …

  Last night I rejected all but chapter one of Foxy, and had to wonder if it was worth starting again. I’ve started again. It needs to be much harsher and less nonsensical … but I’ve got a plot and at least one Character …

  I am lunching at the Ritz with Francis Portal and a Bank man tomorrow, and I have announced my plan to attend here on Mons. to Thurs. and to go to Devon on Friday mornings. The Chairman quite agreed …

  Hurrah for your book. I believe in it. Learn from me, and write for pleasure without a thought of ‘success’ …

  Laverstoke Mills – 29.1.51

  … A huge mail … some of which I enclose.fn11

  There was also a friendly note from Bernard R-H saying he was ready to give information to the lawyers …

  Also a screed about David Astor saying he shows animosity on the ground that I wasn’t frank with him about the reasons I left Kemsley’s, i.e. I told him about Germany, but not about PKS’ scenes. I have sent Thomas enough facts (e.g. his remark that one could be what one liked on the Observer, even homosexual) for Counsel to be able to keep him strictly to the point! Fleming returns at the end of February; and I have decided to see Edith’s ex-boyfriend Billy Mabanefn12 who was nice about me to Harry. Thus, I can fix Fleming before his return.

  I am giving Zilliacusfn13 lunch at the Ritz tomorrow; a good move, as Djilas,fn14 a very important Yugoslav, is here and I might meet him. He is addressing Chatham House and I am getting very interested in Tito-ism! How Spanish Cassou is – this business about ‘gentlemen’ (caballeros) is the Spanish half of him …

  Hotel makes me more than a guinea reduction, and finances just work out, for the time being. If I get the £100, as I will, we can pay Easton and car (or polish off my tailor’s?). Your £50 is now automatic, into Lloyds Pall Mall.

  Chagford – 29.1.51

  My Precious,

  Another most exquisite day. I took the car to the village and walked back all the way by the river. Pebble’s molehills were all frozen into iron cones, otherwise the walk was a fine one …

  Last night I listened to the Haffner – not very well played – and read Kitto’s The Greeks which is written for me, just exactly what I need … I loved our weekend …

  Laverstoke Mills – 31.1.51

  Darling,

  I have fixed to see Whitcombe on Tuesday, and I shall rope in Liz Marsden too. Also, I’ve discovered I’ve only this week-end for my article, so please clear the desk and set me to work on arrival till it’s done.

  Lunch with Zilli was amusing. We shall spend our next holiday at DUBROVNIK! I’ll fix an office journey, and arrange for you to come, too. Zilli will lay on the Mayor, and a couple – a sculptor and his wife, both of whose parents were English. He spent last summer en famille with Tito. He is just off to Yugoslavia, and will invite us both for a soirée with his American wife on their return. (Maybe to cheer us up during our case? Thomas now estimates ‘end’ of March.)

  I spent an hour at the National Gallery. To my surprise, I find it quite easy to admire pictures. I loved Titian, and saw also Poussin (which I don’t like), French moderne, Italian primitives, and the sensational Velazquez and Grecos. We must go together..

  I love, and long to get my fingers (and whip, but I’m not allowed) about you …

  A demain.

  E.

  Laverstoke Mills – 5.2.51

  Darling,

  I have completed and sent off the details for Gordon Dadds. You achieved a masterpiece. Without you I couldn’t have done it. I haven’t flagged, as you expected, but I positively didn’t remember a lot of it, which must be my subconscious at work! Anyway it’s a good job.

  I shall see Miss Marsden tomorrow, and I am lunching with Patrick [Balfour] at his club (St James’); then Dr Whitcombe at 3.

  I am well behind with my article … So I’ll probably do it for March (the April number) …

  Laverstoke Mills – 7.2.51

  Whitcombe sat m
e down in his chair and told me that he knew all about it from Barbara. He proposed to write to the lawyers saying emphatically that he had treated me for colitis and insomnia in October ’49 which he attributed to my wife’s persecution on losing me my jobs. All this without my saying a word.

  I suggested – after clearing my throat and blowing my nose – that he had treated me at other times. We looked in his books and found that he had treated me in ’46, ’48 and ’49. So he proposes to testify to my insomnia, colitis and nervous state throughout the period. He said: ‘I will do everything I can, because I so want you to get married.’ He sent you his love. You make good friends. I put the medical evidence, now, as 25% of our case (plus Harry and Nancy)!

  … Patrick – hoist with his own gossipy petard! – is in a stew in case la PKS brings up the ‘little boys’ story and attributes it to him, which she may be able to prove if she has got ‘Patrick’s letter to Pauline’! (Cats out of bags.)

  We agreed 1. not to call him; but if she brings it up, 2. exactly how to treat the whole thing; as a stupid joke, maliciously seized on by her. He is solid on our side; but of course afraid for himself (where the accusation is true, but not in mine!). Actually, G. Dadds may want him, as this explains and explodes the homosexual story! – but I didn’t tell him so! He made a good statement to Thomas.

  All told – much cheered by Dr Whitcombe. So important …

  Laverstoke Mills – 14.2.51

  Thank you for this morning’s letter – and the boys’! Roger’s is a masterpiece of conscious self-improvement, and a step forward, genuinely, too. Toby needs kicking, tell him from me.

  Thank you, too, and a million times, for paying the lawyers and the car … I think your income’s been bigger than mine …

  Chagford – 19.2.51

  This to wish you Bon Voyage and success in Paris … Give my love to Boris [Melikof] if you see him.

  I bear you company in spirit and sit greedily beside you in the Petit Riche and wherever else you pause to eat. Do not let this spoil your enjoyment though!

  Hotel Meurice, London SW1 – 19.2.51

  I sit in my neat little room and miss you badly … Journée bizarre d’un commis voyageur …

  Frances Ll. G.fn15 has flu; she says the beginning of March will be the ‘earliest date’ for London; but we might go over there some week-end (I need her for Kemsley) …

  Sykes and Berteaux in the news. Please keep the Berteaux cutting for me; I have an account for him storing up.fn16

  In January 1951 Roger was taken away from Summerfields and sent to a boarding school in Cardiganshire to be coached for Westminster School’s common entrance. After three weeks, Mary went to visit him.

  Wales – 3.3.51

  I miss you terribly so lovely was our week together. I pray time will pass fast until we are together again en permanence. Last night I slept in a double bed with Pebble and two hot water bottles …

  This is fantastically beautiful country more like the Pyrenees than any other place I’ve been to. The whole of my drive yesterday was wrapped in mist and quite thick fog on the Cotswolds so that I drove with my lights on and then after Hereford when I reached the mountains it changed – I will lift up mine eyes to the hills – and the Glenlimmon [correctly ‘Plynlimon’] pass was of incredible beauty. I reached Machynlleth and was soon here after. A little mountain village on the road by a big waterfall. Roger sleeps in another house just up the road and the school is a hideosity perched up on the hill. Roger looks blooming and appears happy. He had supper with me last night and I am having him from lunch time onward today. I shall stay until Monday because he would like me to and it seemed silly to come so far for so short a time …

  I have talked to Mr Cross about Roger. His verdict is that he has quite a good brain and is intelligent but that he is very lazy …

  He says that he cannot agree with Carol that ‘what Roger needs is praise, praise, more praise and encouragement’. He thinks he shouldn’t get his praise until he has done something to deserve it and is driving him and making him buck up. I think he knows his job …

  I’m in lodgings with a good fire in the sitting room and arctic bedroom but very comfortable bed and no bath – at least like chez de Vos there is a bath but no hot water …

  Laverstoke Mills – 5.3.51

  I wrote to Boothby and Quennell,fn17 and told Thomas our dates (first two, or last week of Easter Law Term look best to me) …

  Laverstoke Mills – 5.3.51

  Your letter and your telephone call gave me immense delight. This is to greet you chez Mrs Grant, with my love to her …

  Be good and don’t let Mrs Grant corrupt you! I know she encourages you to flutter your eyelids and laughs at the size of your men … She ought to know better. In fact, you had better tell her about the joys of Virtue …

  Laverstoke Mills – 7.3.51

  I shall miss you on Thursday night and your visits to The Brothel [i.e. Mrs Grant’s house, Trevatha in Newlyn] are accompanied by hallucinating visions of your running into the ghost of the French flier, pebbles against your window thrown by Colonel Vavrin (escaped from gaol) and enticing encounters with that ultra-charmer Don Smith or that ultra-vulgarian Pip Holman! Etc. Etc. SO BE GOOD … And tell Mrs Grant that I do not really grudge you now you are there, bad influence as she is, as I know that you love her …

  Most amusing and satisfactory talk with Sheffield yesterday. It emerges that their only doubts are that I may get ‘suddenly’ fed up and that they are very pleased with me. House alright … but ‘if Portals bought one they’d expect a Service contract’. What is a Service contract? A sort of a life tie-up. Suits me. Especially as I discovered that Harry [Monck] gets my salary, and Marsden only £3000! I said that I’d like to be a director, and I intend to get my next £500 tax (and maybe PKS) free. Also, a pension. But we want a nice house! …

  Just heard from Harry [Siepmann] that the Persian PMfn18 has been shot dead. If by a communist, anything may happen. Also, my man will probably take power.

  Laverstoke Mills – 13.3.51

  … Fleming has the same lawyer as Astor, who has advised him not to make a statement. I can’t see that it matters. Rather the contrary, as the facts must emerge from obviously unfriendly witnesses. And Bob Boothby has recalled that she asked him to bitch my job at Kemsley’s!

  I don’t know what happened on Sunday. I have been wondering if you were not genuinely shocked and jealous, in spite of yourself, about my going to Rome?! … The reaction to ‘go to Boskenna’ struck me as suspect. Now, of course, tell me that it was all my fault.

  I get depressed, sometimes, about this case; Fleming and Astor sadden me … But this is very pusillanimous …

  The divorce hearing took place in the High Court in July. It lasted three days and was widely publicised. The court heard of the extraordinary determination of Phyllis’s campaign. She had extracted information from the Passport Office, arranged to have a question asked in Parliament, persuaded the Ministry of Labour to investigate Eric’s business affairs, driven her husband out of three jobs, intimidated two naval officers – one a director of military intelligence, the other a decorated member of the Special Forces – carried out three criminal assaults, persuaded Mary’s parents to put her up for the night and harassed a director of the Bank of England. But the judge was unintimidated. Referring to ‘the malice and hatred’ Phyllis had shown against her husband, he granted Eric a divorce on the grounds of his wife’s cruelty.

  This meant that Mary and Eric could at last live together openly. They bought Knoll House in Broughton, near the Portals office in Hampshire and were married in April 1952.

  In the autumn, Eric set off on a two-month business trip round the Far East. Mary took advantage of his absence to visit some of their old friends in Hamburg.

  Gloucester Hotel, Hong Kong – 7.10.52

  At this moment … I sit sweating in my pyjamas, fan at full speed, balcony open on mountains, skyscrapers and harbour …

  The heat
coming out was staggering; at Damascus, Bahrain, Karachi, Dacca, a soaking (sweaty) night at Rangoon, and Bangkok, and here we are at 20 degrees less (a mere 75–80 F.) [c.25° celsius, down from 35°] …

  I was met here on Sunday evening by Lines, the agent, a delightful very tall youth, with hard-bitten Somerset Maugham wife … The entry by plane is not only the most dangerous in the world, but as beautiful as any I’d seen … The Chinese are nice. The Far East is delightful compared to the horrors of the Middle East …

  Within this kaleidoscope, the British keep up a jolly good imita-tion of themselves. I found a bottle of gin and bottle of whisky laid on in my bedroom (both are and will remain untouched – you can’t drink in this sweat-heat) and I found two RSVP cards formally inviting me to dinner-parties to meet ‘the Colony’. Sir Arthur Morse has invited me to his ‘box’ for the Saturday races … and I’ve been made an honorary member of ‘the Club’.

  108, Edinburgh House, Hong Kong – 18.10.52

  I’ve dined with ‘les boys’ [MI5] here (as slinky and sinister as usual) and my host shared an office with Ann Glassfn19 in London: name, if Richmond asks, Michael Handley.fn20 Their chief is Courtney Young,fn21 Gerry’s almost equally irresponsible brother! …

  Now back to my news.

  Your instinct is always right. The money which Beazley kept on repeating he has ‘inherited’, was stolen – in China! His name stinks. As for DLR (De La Rue),fn22 even their agents agree about them, and I found them trying to sell COINS in Manila versus the very rates [i.e. banknote values] they knew I was out for; and arguing coins ‘more durable, even if more expensive’!!! That isn’t the half of it. My dossier is growing, discreetly, fat.

  Manila is an awful place. Like a flat slum of Los Angeles, with no sea except a dirty harbour, higher prices than New York, no inland except some cardboard mountains, grey grey skies and sheets of rain in heat so steamy and intense that you dodge in and out of ‘air-conditioned’ – ie frozen – rooms, from appointment to appointment … Bell hops jumping to it with cries of ‘yes, sir!’ … £5 for a bordel-type room, and Corruption and Insolence everywhere.