Page 1654 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

1651

1944

Bull.

Very busy in the evening making lampshades & painting leaves for the dining room for the party.

Thursday 31st December

Didnt go to the fort. In office. HH & Sh A came in, discussed Yusuf Al Majia. Saw DI & Yusuf also Kinnaird. Very
busy all the afternoon & part of morning over preparing for party. Lunchtime with the Gunns.

The party was a success, exactly 50 people & a very tight fit at the table, dinner excellent & some of the fancy dresses
very good. We scraped together enough liquor for dubonnet cocktail and a Sharaz wine cup also punch.

The band played dance music extremely well & in good time. Some sung during dinner. The "show" went off well, a
burlesque of the Brains Trust, a cinema jazz band & then a performing horse, with Roselle inside it. Party broke up
soon after midnight & all the time went with a swing.

Friday 1st January

HH called on APA but no other callers at Agency, told he had got to the
KCIE, didnt seem at all interested. A few people came to call on me.
Very cold & house all upside down, uncomfortable.

Went to Muharraq pm. Fine cold day

HHs saw DI before Agency.

Saturday 2nd January

Office. House slowly returning to normal, had the wooden floors
polished. Very cold day. Drove out for a short time after tea.