86 St. Ives Rd.,
Rusholme,
Manchester.
Dec. 20., '17.

My dear Lulu

You will be astonished to see the above address; but not more than I am myself. It is only a few hours since I was sitting quietly making up some nominal rolls for the doctor, when he suddenly got me Xmas leave. It was a very severe shock to my nervous system. Anyway, here I am for ten days once more and - as you can imagine I am delighted. Better than Xmas in the Workhouse. Of course I am safe-guarding a nebulous boat coming for me through Capt. Melvin.

Now to explain the horrible skull & crossbone business inside. It is a photo which a man would take of my Xray photo, belonging to the hospital. I thought that maybe you would like to see it anyway, but please dont let anyone see it outside your house, for it would look so silly. It is my arm as it now is - as you can see if you hold it before a mirror, by the [?]. The projecting points at the lower part of the image is "overriding bone" as the doctors call it. The black spots around the joints are German lead. They show up very plainly. If I have any further trouble from them & get a new X ray photo taken, I shall be able to tell how much they have moved. If the thing look gruesome, put it away & dont bother with it.

The last boat load of men from Kirkdale went away very quietly. If my letters are "writ blue" you must forgive me, for it is hard to be left again. I ought to be on the boat that goes about Jan. 25th anyway, so let us try another little dose of patience. If I am wrong about the next boat I shall have to say no more about possible early "comings home".

I have had no mail from you for about a week now; I hope none was blown away in the Halifax disaster. I am still hoping for a letter telling me that all your friends were hundreds of miles away from the unfortunate town when the explosion occurred. I should know by this week end anyway. Till then I shall not be at ease.

As I have not been here very long the children are wondering why I am sitting here so quietly, I believe. Such a noisy fellow as I am ought not to be able to sit quietly for so long - in their eyes, I suppose.

Everything seems to be Xmas now. Everybody is asking everybody where they intend to be; whether their friends in France or in camp are to be "home" for Xmas. The children are excitedly speculating as to what Father Xmas is going to bring this year. The war may be as serious as it can be, but yet the children must be happy. I hope you have a very merry time, for we all want our friends to be merry. 'Smile' and all will be well.

Have you any further news about Ainley & Carman? I trust they are still safe & well, & that they too will share in the happiness of the season. God has been wondrously good to me! The more I think of it, the more I feel how specially I have been favoured. I hope to spend the rest of my life in showing that gratitude in a better form.

I will write again, Lulu dear, in a day or two when things are a little quieter & I have lost my excitement.

With best love, Yours as ever
Thomas
P.S. That's a slip - Tom.