It is now one year before Sydney and Rose Mary marry. Sydney seems passionately in love with his Rosie and desperately misses her. And she clearly loves Sydney or would not be making regular visits. There is, though, an element of mutual over-dependency implied in the writing — dependency on Sydney’s part for the constant affections of Rose Mary and perhaps dependency on Rose Mary’s part for the comfort and security Sydney proffers that help her cope with a stressful world.

8 Grove Road
Brixton
15 Aug 96

My own darling Rosie,

It seemed such a long time before I had your letter. In fact I was awfully disappointed not having one on Wednesday morning as I knew I should not get one till Friday but I thought you would have written as soon as you had mine. It does not matter dear.

Well Sweet, how have you been getting on this week without me – I miss you very much, darling and it seems ages since I saw you. So you had a pleasant day at Clacton. What a pity I could not be there, although you did very well without me, I dare say. Now I suppose you will keep you word and come up to town Friday for the wedding on Saturday, eh dear! I want to enjoy myself but I cannot (really) unless you are here, so do try dove. Your need not trouble about my razor strop. When you come up on Friday will do, and also my songs dear, I should like to have them now as the piano has been tuned.

I intended writing you last night only we had a letter to say that Pater was very ill, so I went over to see him. They tell me he will never get up again, poor fellow.  He can scarcely speak now. Ma and I are going over [to the hospital] tomorrow. We can see him at any time we like.

I am afraid this is not a very nice letter, dearest, but you must excuse it this time and I will make up for it in the next. I should like to hear from you on Monday if you have the time before church to write. I shall think of you Sweet about one quarter to eleven tomorrow morning going to church. How I wish I were going with you.

Today I have been working very hard in the garden to get it nice for Saturday. I have had just about enough.

Well darling Girl, please forgive me for sending you such a short note and don’t forget to let me have yours on Monday even if I do not deserve it. Remember me to Mr. and Mrs. Isitt and tell them I still miss the Parsonage very much.