Letter
Ida Carroll, Geoffrey Griffiths
1938

Griff ran to catch a glimpse of Ida after a church service (Boxing Day?) as a friend relayed she had seemed in "low spirits". He couldn't catch her but "probably as well, for no doubt it was an occasion when you preferred solitude."
Possibly the service seemed to be a farewell service involving the rector or her father Walter Carroll, it's not clear.
He would like to meet and walk with her soon, just for as long as she would allow.
He was glad she didn't agree to the endless bus rides he proposed. His original idea was "roving at the back of the old mind that if we weren't back home too rapidly, you might be the first person to wish me a 'Merry Christmas'." It worked! 12:03AM she wished him well and gave him his card on the day itself.
He has plans to listen to the radio and watch the football (bad weather prevents the latter.)
He's glad to hear she enjoyed the jigsaw for Christmas - he thought a youthful game would suit her youthful spirit. Griff played cards on Boxing Day and has been catching up on his sleep, "you appeared in at least twelve dreams out of at least twenty."
We see his first venture in the game of whist - which in later letters he becomes very passionate about.

Ref: CARROLL/IGC/3 GG
With thanks to the Ida Carroll Trust
Date is unknown.

Part of the #NSM2020 project "A 20/20 Legacy: the centenary of the Northern School of Music" supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.