Olongwe

12th December 1970

Dear Deborah

I am giving this letter to Captain Stewart to post when he goes to the capital, in the hope that the postal system will work for long enough to get it on a ship for Haifa. As you wouldn’t let me have your address, I am hoping too that the hospital will pass it on to you.

I know you are angry with me, even though you denied it when we parted. You can’t see it, but I believe this is the only way. Issy loves you and you belong with him, in your own country, with your own people. What could I give you? I travel round the world, living in dreary bases when I’m back in England. The weather there you would hate. And the people, you know, army officers and their wives, not your sort at all. You would hate all of it.

And what about your own career? You know you have to pursue that in Israel, where you can do what you need to do.

We’ve had a wonderful time, and I’ll never forget you. I want you to forget me though. You have so much to look forward to – don’t look back.

With my very best wishes

Monty Drijver

Jerusalem
January 3, 1971

Dear Monty

Your letter arrived at the hospital safely, but it was another week before anyone in the offices bothered to look me up.

I don’t think you believe that I love you. If you did, you wouldn’t say the things you did. Doesn’t love matter more than those things? If we love each other, can’t a way be found? I could retrain in England – my English is pretty good, you said so yourself.

Anyway, you don’t want me, so I’ll do what I’m told and be a good doctor and wife and live happily ever after in the promised land. You get on with your soldiering and get lots of medals and be a hero. I’ll forget you before you forget me.

Yours

Deborah Mandelstam

Olongwe
14th February 1971

Dear Deborah

Just to prove you wrong, I am writing to show you, contrary to what you said in your letter, that I haven’t forgotten you.

All the best for your future.

Monty

Jerusalem
March 8, 1971

Dear Monty

I haven’t forgotten you either, now leave me alone with my unhappiness and get on with your wonderful life.

Yours

Deborah

Olongwe
29th March 1971

Dear Deborah

Look, I told you to go and be happy. I don’t want to hear about unhappiness, so when you’ve stopped sulking write and tell me.

Yours

Monty

Jerusalem
April 22,1971

Dear Monty

You told me to stop sulking. Frankly I find that a little insulting. What makes you think I’m sulking? I’m going away with Issy for a week, camping in the north, that’s how much I’m sulking.

Yours

Deborah

Bulford Barracks

19th June 1971

Dear Deborah

I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to reply. As you can see, I’m back in England. The company shipped back three weeks ago and the mail has only just followed us.

I really am sorry if I upset you. I thought it was a joke, but perhaps my English humour is too easily misunderstood. Do you accept my apology?

I do hope you enjoyed your holiday. I’m going on leave myself, to my parents’ place in France. They won’t be there, so I’ll have the house to myself, which will be just what I need after Africa – peace and quiet, good food and wine, no responsibilities. I’m really looking forward to it. If I may, I’ll write again when I get back.

With my best wishes

Monty

Jerusalem
July 12,1971

Dear Monty

I’m sorry if you thought I was upset about your letter. You English – no sense of humour!

Was your holiday good? I trust you didn’t overdo the food and the wine. But weren’t you a bit lonely going on your own?

I am back at work now and the hospital is particularly busy. We are taking casualties from the IDF because the army hospitals are overstretched, so there’s not much time for a social life. As you may read in your papers, things are pretty bad here. Not like Africa though, that was different, because we were stuck in the middle of the fighting, weren’t we? Here, there is us and them, and that feels quite frightening.

Please write again soon.

Yours

Deborah

Bulford Barracks

7th August 1971

Dear Deborah

I read your letter with interest. I have been following events there in the papers. Do take care, won’t you?

I had a wonderful holiday. I wasn’t on my own all the time. The Rainsfords came out – they’ve got a house in the same village. We spent quite a lot of time together. Their daughter, Chloe, is an old, well, friend really. Nothing for you to worry about though, she’s not much to look at, not like you.

Regards

Monty

Jerusalem
August 17, 1971

Dear Monty

I’m very glad you had such a good holiday. I don’t understand why you think I would worry about you meeting up with an old girlfriend – I assume that’s what this Chloe is, isn’t she? You can do what you like. You have no responsibility to me.

Anyway, Issy and I are engaged now. So I don’t think we should write to each other any more.

I do wish the very best for you and your future with Chloe or whoever you choose, and your career in the army. Issy is going back into the army here on secondment from the hospital for a year, they are so short of doctors.

So, best wishes again, and thank you for all you have given me.

Love

Deborah

Bulford Barracks

29th August 1971

Dear Deborah

Congratulations! Mazal tov – that’s what you say, isn’t it? So you and Issy are finally going to be married. I couldn’t be more pleased. He’s a good man (you’re a good woman, too). I’m sure he will look after you and make you happy, and that’s what I want for you – to be happy.

Chloe and I are thinking about that too. She wants to get engaged but I’m not at all sure. There’s no hurry, is there? I mean I’m only 26. She’s a lovely girl, and I’d be a fool to pass her up, but well, perhaps that’s what I am. A fool, I mean.

Anyway, enough about me. I couldn’t be more pleased (I said that already, didn’t I?), so you give that man of yours my warmest congratulations and I look forward to an invitation to the wedding.

With my best wishes

Your friend

Monty

Jerusalem
September 17, 1971

Dear Monty

Thank you for your letter. You’re thinking of getting engaged? I thought this Chloe was just an old girlfriend. When did all this happen?

Very best wishes

Deborah