Page 863 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

861

1934

Mohammed wrote from Cairo for money. Tennis in the afternoon, had some very good games. Lady
B.S. plays well, she is a Scotch Australian, dark & heavily made up & very determined jaw. It is said that
they don't get on & she has come out for a last attempt at reconciliation, but this is wardroom gossip. The
Air Vice Marshall was due but did not arrive owing to bad weather up in Iraq, air mail also late. Dinner
party at Shoreham. The Shaikh, Abdulla & Sulman attended, us, the Lochs, the Russells and the doctor,
and all the Agency party. A great success, the Shaikh got on well. Sh Hamed proposed the King's health
in a very dignified way & the SNO proposed the Shaikh. He & his party left early & afterwards we
danced. I quite enjoyed it but I find that interpreting a most exhaustive job. The Shaikh asked Lady B.S.
some rather awkward questions, if what I heard is true! Didn't get back until very late. The other people,
who were not asked, were I hear, very angry, especially Mrs Ham who is popular with the Wardroom.
The Shaikh looked rather tired at the end of the evening, we dined on deck, quite warm & a smooth sea
coming back but choppy sailing out.

Thursday 8th [February]

Busy morning, spent a long time at the Agency discussing various business. Went to tea with the Thoms
in the afternoon. Their house is quite nice overlooking the Municipal Garden, which I made seven years
ago. There are great tall trees in it now and it is always full of people in the evenings. Afterwards, we
went round to the Russells & early to bed. Mrs Loch had a party for the sailors from the ships & showed
her cinema, she asked me but I din't go.

Friday [9th February]