The Richardsons had formed a light entertainment group called The Whynots. The Brains Trust was a popular radio programme in which a panel of intellectuals debated a variety of puzzling issues.
Thursday 1 February
Had a letter from Tom. Went to English. Came home to a Whynot Meeting. The first for ages. Zita’s still skipper. We’re doing a Brains Trust sketch which she wrote. It’s good. Frances produced it at Christmas at the concert at Highgate and it went down very well. I’m supposed to be Dame Hyra Mess (a contraction of Myra Hess).
Friday 2 February
Went to Maths. Found the room in darkness and “Gorn ’Ome” written on the blackboard. Winley said the teacher wasn’t there last week. He’s probably ill. There was no point in staying so we went home. Did some studying at home. At least as much as I could with the wireless blaring away.
Saturday 3 February
Met Lily in town. She’s going to-morrow (to join her husband at Herne Bay). Did a bit of washing in the afternoon but couldn’t do much as we’ve still not had our pipes mended. The man was supposed to come to-day. Went to hospital. Saw Anita there. She’s better. Hopes to get up soon.
Sunday 4 February
Should have gone to 8 o’c Mass. Forgot it is 1st Sunday. Didn’t do anything exciting. The weather’s improved enormously. Very nice today, though windy.
Monday 5 February
Haven’t heard a word from Frances since I came back. Very rude of her not to answer my letter. She’s supposed to be coming home this weekend! Went to French. I’ve got a lovely puncture in my bike. Was halfway to work this afternoon when it happened.
Tuesday 6 February
Went to History. We’ve been turned out of the library by the new Principal who says it shouldn’t be used as a classroom. The Blighter! Went to the Ritz after & saw “The Climax”. It was quite good though far fetched. Nice colours. Boris Karloff, Susannah Foster & Turhan Bey.
Wednesday 7 February
It’s awful at work now. Neither Joyce nor Lily is there now & Anita’s away still. She’s not too good apparently. Left work at 5. Wanted to mend my puncture but found we haven’t any materials to mend it with. They’ve disappeared. Didn’t do much. Went to church.
Thursday 8 February
Still haven’t heard from Frances. Suppose she’ll come tomorrow. Went to English. The lights failed at about 8.10 so we all went home. The lights at home were alright however. Mended the puncture. The bike needs a new tyre, there’s a slit in the old one & it’s very worn. Rotten tyres nowadays (wartime grade).
Friday 9 February
Went to Maths. Must concentrate on this subject more in my “leisure hours”. Frances didn’t turn up. I could crown her! We haven’t heard a word from her for ages. One begins to wonder if she’s alright. Heard “These You Have Loved”. Not a bad programme this week.
Saturday 10 February
“Worked” in the morning. Went to Netball in the afternoon for a match but the other team wired to say they couldn’t come. That’s the third time this match has been put off. Went to the Hospital. Nothing doing there, though we expected to be called out as a rocket fell quite near (Hylands Park.) No casualties though. Went to confession.
Sunday 11 February
Went to 9.30 Mass. Rotten day. Rainy. Went to see Anita in afternoon. She’s much better though she still can’t see out of her right eye. Went to church in evening. Procession. (Immaculate Conception.)
Monday 19 February
We had a letter from Frances. She says there is a dance at Highgate next Friday. Zita & I hope to go. Went to French. Uncle Willie came to stay the night as he went to a meeting in town. We didn’t go to bed till nearly 12 o’c. Talking about the war. What a tragedy the Big Three conference report is. It makes us worse than the Germans.
The Yalta Conference between Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin – the “Big Three” – took place from 4 – 11 February. The tragedy was probably the failure to guarantee Poland, whose invasion by the Germans had sparked the war in the first place, autonomous status or freedom from Soviet interference under the planned postwar settlement.
Tuesday 20 February
The weather is now mild and Springlike. Hope it stays like it. Went to History. Didn’t do much else although there are dozens of things that need doing. Wrote to Peter. I expect he’s given me up for lost. Don’t know what to wear on Friday. Haven’t got anything special anyway.
Wednesday 21 February
Worked till 8. Didn’t do much at home. Some needlework that’s all. I shall miss the Maths class on Friday. It’s a pity because I need all the tuition I can get in that direction. Wish I could find someone to give me extra lessons in it.
Thursday 22 February
We had a letter from Frances. She says we can’t go on Friday! She asked for permission for us to stay there & they said they couldn’t put us up – or something. Are we mad! We’re going to London anyway. Went to English. Précis to-night.
Friday 23 February
Zita & I caught the 5.20 and arrived at B’s at about 7.45. We’re going to do some shopping to-morrow morning. Hope to go to a show in the afternoon. Perhaps only a film. Frances is coming home on Sunday. She’s on a T.B. ward. Doesn’t like it.
Saturday 24 February
We went shopping. Zita got a dress & a jacket & I got a dress & a blouse. Just about blew our coupons! Couldn’t get into anything we liked (showy). Caught the 6.22 back to go to the hospital. What a rush! Only one casualty there, an old boy with a broken femur.
Sunday 25 February
Didn’t do very much (as usual). Zita & Frances came in evening. Frances explained further about the dance. She said it wasn’t any good anyway & the Pathologist (whose name is Welch) wasn’t there.
Monday 26 February
My Birthday. I’ve got the Key of the Door, never been 21 before! Lovely weather. Wish I’d had the day off. Went to flicks in evening with Mother and Frances. Saw “Everything Happens at Night”. Quite good. Also “Rembrandt”. Quite good too. Had quite a few presents. Mostly money.
Tuesday 27 February
Had a present from Tom. Another compact! That makes three I’ve got! Still it’s a very nice one. Went to History. Only 3 of us there. Mrs Newport certainly makes it interesting. Uncle Willie came to stay the night. Churchill made speech trying to gloss over the Yalta decisions. I think he succeeded quite well too.
Wednesday 28 February
Had to work till 8. I think (& hope) it’s the last night we’ll have to do overtime. Hope we don’t go back to 6 o’c working. Mrs Fuller said there was a lecture at the hospital to-night. I went along but no-one was there. She must have made a mistake. Wrote to Tom & Aunty Norah. Heard “These You Have Loved”. Good programme tonight.
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