be to find a mail order supplier of such
remedies.
Of course, there was another way: it would necessitate a
trip back to central London, to ask if any of the girls she used to work with
could put her in touch with a doctor willing to operate on her, but she hoped
that it wouldn’t come to that. Besides, abortion was illegal.
Rose’s most fervent hope, until she received Frank’s letter,
had been that she might miscarry naturally, but for now much of her despair had
dissipated. The feeling of panic and utter helplessness had gone. She was still
very worried, but not nearly as much. She needed to write in reply and tell him
what was happening.
Rose spent the next evening writing her first letter to
Frank. It was difficult for her to know what to say, or how to say it, but she
took her cue from the tone of his letter and decided to tell him why she was so
anxious.
28th February 1900, Leyton,
Essex
Dearest Frank
Thank you so much for your
letter. I am also missing you terribly and can barely wait until you return.
Life in the shop is different now. Louisa is no longer here, so I don’t have
her to talk to. Mr Crockford has employed a new girl, Constance, to look after
the Ladies’ Department. She seems quite nice, but it’s not the same.
I don’t want to alarm you, but I
think you ought to know. I believe that I am going to have a child. I haven’t
told anyone, not even Louisa. I haven’t been to a doctor either, but I am
fairly sure. I missed at the beginning of this month and just recently have
been feeling sick, which is usually an indication and confirmation.
I have been so worried, but
after receiving your letter I feel somewhat relieved. I feel exactly the same
way about you, but I hope this news does not reduce your affection and regard
for me. What should I do? Will you still want to see me when you come back or
will this change things between us?
Please reply by return if you
can. I need to know how you feel. It may not be too late to consider the
alternative, but time is limited.
I hope you are looking after
yourself and keeping your head down. What are the conditions like? Have you
seen any Boers? I’ve been keeping my eye on the news board outside the
newsagents for any mention of the CIV.
Please be careful.
Your dearest love,
Rose.
A little more than a week later,
Sidney arrived one morning with news, which almost made Rose lose her
composure. It was part of his job to bring Mr Crockford’s daily paper when he
arrived for duty each morning. As he breezed into the shop, he mentioned the
morning headlines, unaware of the significance of them to Rose.
‘Blimey, those CIV boys soon got stuck in down there.
Headline says, “13 CIV Wounded and Taken Prisoner at Britstown”. Reckon they
might have bitten off more ’an they can chew. They’re no pushover, them Boers.
My dad told me some of the tricks they’ve been gettin’ up to … shockin’, quite
shockin’, if I don’t mind sayin’ so.’
Rose almost panicked but tried to remain calm. ‘Here let me
have a quick look, will you? Miss Louisa’s brother-in-law is a trooper in the
CIV and he’s down there at the moment.’
She quickly scanned the details. At least it seemed that no
one had been killed and there was no mention of any mounted troopers being
involved. The fighting had taken place two days before and the headlines were
testimony to the marvels of the telegraph communication between London and Cape
Town. The story unsettled her and she knew her unease, along with that of
Frank’s family, would continue until it was known definitely that Frank was
safe.
2.8
Frank’s company left Cape Town for
Orange River on 11 February 1900. They arrived three days later and unloaded
their horses and equipment. Initially, they took part in scouting activities,
reporting any enemy sightings to headquarters.
On 15 February, they joined other British Forces in the
attack to regain the town of Jacobsdal. Four members of the CIV were
remedies.
Of course, there was another way: it would necessitate a
trip back to central London, to ask if any of the girls she used to work with
could put her in touch with a doctor willing to operate on her, but she hoped
that it wouldn’t come to that. Besides, abortion was illegal.
Rose’s most fervent hope, until she received Frank’s letter,
had been that she might miscarry naturally, but for now much of her despair had
dissipated. The feeling of panic and utter helplessness had gone. She was still
very worried, but not nearly as much. She needed to write in reply and tell him
what was happening.
Rose spent the next evening writing her first letter to
Frank. It was difficult for her to know what to say, or how to say it, but she
took her cue from the tone of his letter and decided to tell him why she was so
anxious.
28th February 1900, Leyton,
Essex
Dearest Frank
Thank you so much for your
letter. I am also missing you terribly and can barely wait until you return.
Life in the shop is different now. Louisa is no longer here, so I don’t have
her to talk to. Mr Crockford has employed a new girl, Constance, to look after
the Ladies’ Department. She seems quite nice, but it’s not the same.
I don’t want to alarm you, but I
think you ought to know. I believe that I am going to have a child. I haven’t
told anyone, not even Louisa. I haven’t been to a doctor either, but I am
fairly sure. I missed at the beginning of this month and just recently have
been feeling sick, which is usually an indication and confirmation.
I have been so worried, but
after receiving your letter I feel somewhat relieved. I feel exactly the same
way about you, but I hope this news does not reduce your affection and regard
for me. What should I do? Will you still want to see me when you come back or
will this change things between us?
Please reply by return if you
can. I need to know how you feel. It may not be too late to consider the
alternative, but time is limited.
I hope you are looking after
yourself and keeping your head down. What are the conditions like? Have you
seen any Boers? I’ve been keeping my eye on the news board outside the
newsagents for any mention of the CIV.
Please be careful.
Your dearest love,
Rose.
A little more than a week later,
Sidney arrived one morning with news, which almost made Rose lose her
composure. It was part of his job to bring Mr Crockford’s daily paper when he
arrived for duty each morning. As he breezed into the shop, he mentioned the
morning headlines, unaware of the significance of them to Rose.
‘Blimey, those CIV boys soon got stuck in down there.
Headline says, “13 CIV Wounded and Taken Prisoner at Britstown”. Reckon they
might have bitten off more ’an they can chew. They’re no pushover, them Boers.
My dad told me some of the tricks they’ve been gettin’ up to … shockin’, quite
shockin’, if I don’t mind sayin’ so.’
Rose almost panicked but tried to remain calm. ‘Here let me
have a quick look, will you? Miss Louisa’s brother-in-law is a trooper in the
CIV and he’s down there at the moment.’
She quickly scanned the details. At least it seemed that no
one had been killed and there was no mention of any mounted troopers being
involved. The fighting had taken place two days before and the headlines were
testimony to the marvels of the telegraph communication between London and Cape
Town. The story unsettled her and she knew her unease, along with that of
Frank’s family, would continue until it was known definitely that Frank was
safe.
2.8
Frank’s company left Cape Town for
Orange River on 11 February 1900. They arrived three days later and unloaded
their horses and equipment. Initially, they took part in scouting activities,
reporting any enemy sightings to headquarters.
On 15 February, they joined other British Forces in the
attack to regain the town of Jacobsdal. Four members of the CIV were
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