Tuesday 24th May 1949

Dear Diary,

I have just had the most extraordinary day! The cost of laundering my towels for the salon has simply rocketed, so I decided to try that new fangled coin operated launderette that’s just opened up in Queensway. What’s a fashionable gal supposed to wear at the launderette? I chose the blue gingham halter neck swing dress for it’s chic practicality. Oh, how I wish I’d opted for swimwear!

A helpful attendant chap showed me how to operate one of the machines as soon as I arrived at the ‘Central Wash’ in Queensway. I soon found myself becoming quite mesmerised staring at the washing turning around. Out of the corner of my eye I thought I saw a handsome young man strip off to his underpants! Sure enough the cocky fellow just stood there as bold as brass, semi naked in a public laundrette! But who am I to complain? Just before he could get his clothes into the washing machine the angry attendant chased him out into the street.

Later, a tall gentleman arrived carrying two large bags of dirty linen. He appeared smart and attractive, introducing himself almost immediately. “Gerard Mordiller, enchanté mademoiselle” he said in the most sensual French accent, brushing his lips tenderly against the back of my hand. I quickly discovered that Gerard is a dashing restauranteur with a similar notion to investigate alternative laundry options for his table linen. Naturally, he invited me for a romantic dinner date at his exclusive ‘haute cuisine’ restaurant in Chelsea.

The attendant coughed loudly, pinning a note to the office door; ‘Out to Lunch’. Shortly after his departure, my washing machine gave a startled jolt and rumbled curiously. Suddenly, a plume of black smoke emerged and soapsuds began spewing out from the little round door! It wasn’t long before the floor was swimming with gallons of frothy foam. Gerard and I panicked, frantically trying to stop the machine by pushing all of the buttons and tugging at the handle, but the door was stuck. Gerard finally managed to force it open, followed by an ocean of rapid cascading water. We were both utterly drenched! Eventually the attendant returned to find us laughing hopelessly, paddling amidst a sea of soapy bubbles. Thankfully, our modesty was rescued with warm blankets whilst we waited for our clothes to tumble dry. The towels are ruined but who cares? I’m on cloud nine and looking forward to a date with Monsieur Gerard! But next time I think I’ll play it safe and order the service wash!  

Tuesday, 10th May 1949

Dear Diary,

I really look forward to gaining just a few pounds after all these years of food rationing. I have to say that most of us do look rather bony.  Luckily putting on a little bit of weight (not too much of course) will just be a little easier now as sweets rationing has come to an end a couple of weeks ago.  And it might even help me sell a few more of my beautiful corsets… after all they do serve a function too!

One would not believe but this morning the queue outside Mr Simpkin’s grocery shop stretched right around the corner, almost into the next street! I sent Lucy along to fetch some candy as a special treat for the salon girls. I really wanted to thank them for organising that marvellous surprise birthday party for me. Lucy returned giggling like a giddy schoolgirl! She said that she had to wait for three hours to be served. But what a treat!

The buffet spread that Grace had prepared for the party a couple of weeks ago had been splendid, yet I did wonder how she managed it. Eventually I just couldn’t resist asking her about the recipe of the birthday cake she made. (The cake was unlike anything I had tasted before).  Being the good friend Grace is she agreed to share the recipe!  I must try making it myself one day…

VICTORY CAKE

2 cups of seeded raisins

3 cups flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. Salt

1/2 tsp. Allspice

1/2 tsp. Cinnamon

1/4 tsp. cloves

2 cups of cold water

3 tbs. Butter

2 cups sugar

3 tbs. cocoa

Method:

Boil together the butter, seeded raisons, sugar, and cold water for 5 minutes. Let cool. Sift together flour and all other dry ingredients including the cocoa. Mix the boiled ingredients and the flour mixture together until blended. Grease and dust with flour a 10" cake tin. Place the batter in the cake tin. Bake at 350F for 1 1/2 hours. In the last 1/2 hour, cover with foil to prevent burning. (candied cherries may be added, if desired.)

Tuesday, 26th April 1949

Dear Diary,

Oh what a night!  This morning I have to admit to nursing a slight headache after last night’s fabulous party.  The girls at the salon certainly did make a huge fuss over me because yesterday I had reached quite a milestone - my thirtieth birthday.  Oh yes, I have been experiencing the full gamut of feelings from hopeful anticipation, dread, fear and regret to say goodbye to my twenties.  No longer am I a bright young thing, no longer a mere slip of a gal, hardly an old maid (not a wrinkle or grey hair in sight) but a mature businesswoman with responsibilities!

The girls closed up the salon at the end of our working day, but with a surprisingly swift sweep up and polish, which did arouse my suspicion somewhat.  I went home as usual with my flat mate Grace.  She seemed to be a little on edge, curiously smiling to herself and frequently disappearing into the kitchen with the accompanying sounds of clattering cake tins and the rustle of paper.  Grace insisted that we should both wear our best cocktail dresses and that I brush the mothballs away from my mink stole, because “tonight is going to be just swell”.  At last, Grace announced that a black taxicab had arrived at the front door and that we really ought to hurry.  I noticed her stow something away in the boot at the back of the cab, the driver doffing his cap cheerfully as he ushered us into the back seats.  A short ride later and the cab stopped outside the salon.  Grace paid the fare and the winking driver disappeared to retrieve the mysterious cargo from the boot, whilst Grace steered me towards the salon entrance. By this time I was utterly bemused and wondered what on earth was going on.  After fumbling with the keys, we finally got the door open, suddenly the lights went on and a rousing cry of ‘SURPRISE!!’ startled me so much that I nearly fainted on the spot!  Oh my! It seems that all of my regular customers and half the street was invited!  Everyone was wearing paper hats, cheering and waving their half-pint glasses of stout in the air.  Paper chains and lanterns decked the salon and a splendid buffet had been laid out, all in honour of my birthday!  I was so thrilled and delighted that a little tear of joy started to roll down my cheek.  Thomas Dudley, the motor mechanic, gallantly offered me his handkerchief.  I was very thankful to him for this kind gesture but quite relieved to discover that the hanky was neatly pressed and clean, although his fingernails were still rather stained with engine oil.

Tuesday, 12th April, 1949

Dear Diary

I am simply beside myself with sheer excitement! At last my new fashion boutique is opening today! It most certainly was a mighty task to convert the back room of the hair salon into a fabulous fashion boutique! I wonder if the other girls who work for me at the hairdressers, Doreen, Anne- Marie, Grace and Lucy are fully prepared for the sheer delights that await them?  They are going to be simply beside themselves once they see the collection not to mention some super evening gowns, pencil skirts and the most divine lingerie.

I’ll have to keep my eye on those girls, borrowing items is one thing but we must make sure that there’s always something new on the rail for the customers to look at!  There’ll be so much to do today at the grand opening gala as I’ve invited the whole of London to come along and browse through my super collection. I’m putting out a splendid spread of tea and cake so my regular ‘rinse, curl and set’ ladies will definitely enjoy a tasty treat whilst mingling with my dashing new clientele.

The timing of my new venture couldn’t be more perfect because our dear Prime Minister, Clement Atlee, announced the end of clothes rationing on the 15th of March!  After eight long years of having to make do and mend, at last we can look forward to indulging ourselves with some super luxurious fabrics! Imagine the possibilities! I’m thinking about experimenting with new design ideas for some fully pleated and swishing skirts. Oh I can’t wait to enjoy the freedom and luxury to use yards and yards of gorgeous fabrics without worrying about using up all of my ration coupons. Now it really does feel like the war is finally over and it’s high time that we look forward to a brighter future and the prospect of some jolly times ahead!

So glad to have a few more sunny days, now that spring has arrived. It’s rather delightful to see some bright yellow daffodils blossoming in the park. If only romance would blossom for me this year and that I’ll finally get to meet Mr Right. I really can’t bring myself to have to endure any more disastrous dinner dates.  What was I thinking when I agreed to let Thomas Dudley take me out to dinner last week?  I know he’s a hard working, honest chap and runs a good business with the motor mechanic workshop across the road from the hair salon.  But his hands were such a disgrace!  One would have thought that Mr Dudley should have at least tried to scrub the engine oil away from underneath his fingernails, before taking a lady out to dinner?  Naturally, I declined his offer to take me to the cinema for a second date, I certainly wouldn’t have appreciated those mucky hands finding their way to my stocking tops whilst attempting a snuggle on the back row.  Poor chap, hopefully he’ll learn from his awful mishap and make more of an effort next time he’s got his eye on someone.