April 1st, 1951
Tel Aviv

Dearest Poiky,

Liki and I were just looking at a map and she asked me effo Daddy sheli, when the bell rang and your telegram arrived, saying that you were off to Tangiers. What outlandish places you go to, Boss. Where will we see you next? Be careful you don’t run across my auntie Eileen on the Continent of Africa. You know she is there on one of her business quests!

This morning your friend Baby arrived but I did not see him as I was out for a walk with Miriam. She has quitted her job and has developed quite a persecution complex. She wants a complete change and I promised her to write to you and ask you to enquire at the Hebrew section at the BBC, whether they can employ her there. Or maybe you come across something else which would suit her.

Baby told your mother that they are moving into THEIR FLAT in three months time. Did you know that they had bought a flat in Arlossoroff for 4 th. quiddles? I had no idea. It has got three rooms. As Malchis are coming tonight to take me there I may get some more information. I say ‘may’ because Baby seemed to be completely ignorant of this intended invasion and I bet 10:1 they won’t be in. Su hasn’t been here once and in fact I thought it quite insulting the evening they came here before your departure, when she said she can’t promise to come but that Baby would make it his obligation.

I called at Marbe’s this morning. Sonia and the child are not feeling well. Allan wants me to tell you that Kol I. liked the radio scripts a lot and they are going out in two weeks time. They send their very best regards to you. He does like you a lot.

I also came across the Simons in the street today. You mentioned he had been very nasty to her there. He told me he got annoyed from the moment she arrived. For she appeared with an old suitcase – which did not do him honour, I expect!

Yesterday I went with the children to Binkin and he had a good look at Moshe. He said the child was in good condition and that the bones are much firmer. He had just started having the same trouble again with his pipi, and Binkin said I must give him plenty of tea as his pipi is very strong or acid, and therefore causes this skin irritation. He takes now one and a half LB. per visit! Anyway I thought you would be pleased if I went.

There is no other news and I shall finish this letter tomorrow.

I have just come home from Baby’s and although it is getting on for midnight I want to drop you another line. Well they had a real party there. You know the type. All the women dressed in dark (luckily I had on my navy frock) with drinks of every type and description, Sulia’s savouries and an enormous cake with white cream. It must have cost them a pretty penny. The flat incidentally is a shikun and apparently you know all about it.

Su was perfectly mad because I was talking to Baby quite a long time. He said he would consult the Legal Expert at the Foreign Office as to my rights as a British subject in 1945 and how to put the case at the Br. Legation. I am so ignorant about these things that I rather have some good advice before going there. As I said the look Su gave your worthy friend was killing from every point of view, for after all, I am only Mrs C.

The Capitano was there and everybody sends best regards to you. A lot of Russian was spoken, almost exclusively, and everybody was most surprised that I couldn’t speak it. Just imagine. Liki did not want me to go and stayed awake till about 11 o’clock. I wish I could get someone to come and sleep here once or twice a week because it is most inconvenient to have to ask your mother up, and to be at home all the time is a bit boring. You do agree, don’t you Poiky? I shall forget how to be social. But to hell with being social. I should hate to turn into one of those artificial dames who are too social for words. Incidentally Su was dressed to kill and I simply don’t know how they do it. From one debt to another.

Baby asked whether you had seen Arnold or Silverstone. I told him to my knowledge you had not been there yet.

This morning I woke up with a rash all over my face and in the heat of the room there it blossomed out and is most irritating. I wonder what it is from. Perhaps I have eaten something that hasn’t agreed with me.

Malchi saw me home and spat frequently into the street. But for all his uncouthness, there is really something likeable about him somewhere. When we went to Baby’s, he wanted to sit down, didn’t quite make it and crashed with great gusto into the table with all the liquors. Some angel must have guarded the noble drinks, probable Bacchus himself, and nothing worse happened than an awkward look on the Malchis faces.

Well, goodnight now and all my love,

Bossy.