Dear Douglas, I want a divorce. We’ve been separated long enough and I’m sure you’ll agree it’s the right thing to do. She crossed that out and wrote, course of action. You see I’ve made a decision. You’re tremendous at organising things, you always have been and I’ll say you’ve had a pretty fair crack of the whip this past while, while I’ve been away. I feel quite sure you’re doing a splendid job but it’s time I came back, don’t you agree? I’m quite sure the children need me. Mothers are so important, without us, well, there’d be nothing, would there? I am sorry I left you all in such a shock. It had got on top of me and little Ian, he’d begun to grow up – how is he? I did feel he needed a chance to grow without my worry all over him. Perhaps old Dr G was right after all – mothers do worry more than others or whatever it was he said, and I did need to rest. I’m quite aware it’s been a simply dreadful long time but now that I’m rested I’m ready to mother again – and I want to! I do so want to. I think I can do it now. I just needed a little time. But I’m also quite sure I can no longer be your wife. Don’t you agree with that too? You and I, we really were not made for each other. But now the children are produced (I sound like a cow that’s been bred from, don’t I? I don’t mean it like that, but we’ve done our job), now that all that’s over, you and I can have the rest of our lives free of each other. It doesn’t matter what anyone thinks. I know mother will kick up the most almighty fuss but it’s really not up to her. She has her little heir after all. I, we, we’ve done as we were told, haven’t we? I’m quite sure the family will see its way to furnishing you with a little place of your choosing. Do be sweet and agree, Douglas. I’m happy for you to choose any terms you like.

Yours etc,

Enid