The Ashton Family

[Ivy Tunstall]

((Sent by Muggle post))

30 Nell Lane
Taunton
T22 7PL
Somerset
19th October 2004

Dear All,

I thought it was a while since I'd been in touch so here I am trying to make amends! I hope everything's going well for you. I'm coming home for a while soon, and I'm bringing a friend too, who I'm sure will be glad to meet you. Oh, for replies, give the letters to my father and he'll send them on.

Love,
Ivy

((In separate envelopes.))

Dear Mr and Mrs Ashton,

I hope the family is well. I have been very busy with schoolwork recently, which I am afraid is my only excuse for not keeping up more regular correspondance. The autumn really is even more intensely beautiful up in Scotland, which of course is your homeland, Fanny, but it does get cold earlier! Recently the weather hasn't been quite as fine but the school still has quite extensive grounds which are, as ever, picturesque. I consider myself very lucky to be here.

How is my father? I do worry about him while I am away, but it is impossible for me to be with him all the time. I am really indebted to you for your never failing help and support.

On a happier note, I have enclosed little things for the children. I hope they like them! I will be very glad to see you and them again when I come. Actually, the arrival of this letter will probably only just precede my arrival by a week or so, as I come on the 28th.

Well, it's a bit late to be up writing letters now, so I must be off.

Love,
Ivy.

***

Dear Livi,

I hope things are going well for you. For me, they couldn't be better - I'm coming home in just over a week's time! It will be lovely to see you again.

How's the violin going? I was delighted to hear you'd taken it up - I used to play it when I was your age. Keep it up!

Sorry this is a little short, but I have to go now - I have a lesson starting in seven minutes and it's a long walk to the other end of the school!

Ta-ra!
Ivy

PS. Enclosed is a bookmark I've made for you - it has a few winter flowers and their names on it. I thought it would be useful for your new hobby!

***

David, Jake + Bobby,

Hello there all of you. I'm coming home soon, and I'm looking forward to seeing you. How's school? For me it's just teachers as usual - none of them are great!

You must tell me how the football's going - you know how useless I am at keeping up with it. It's time for an education session when I come back...

Oh, just to let you know, my friend, Kiyla is coming home with me too, so I hope you'll be nice when you meet her!

All right, I really have to go, it's high time I was in bed...

Love,
Ivy

[Ivy Tunstall]

Dear Ivy,

It was absolutely lovely to hear from you and to see you at half term. Olivia was quite overcast when you went away, but she's got over it now. She's been busy with her flowers. It's great to see her get a hobby.

It was a pleasure to meet your friend. You're both quite alike, really. I hope we'll see both of you again very soon. Are you coming home at Christmas?

I've enclosed a bit of home baking - we've been making gingerbread men and Olivia insisted I give one to you. There's one for Kiyla too.

Must dash if I'm going to be there to collect the children from school on time.

Love,
Fanny.

[Ivy Tunstall]

Dear Ivy,

I have some terrible news to break to you, which, judging by your silence, I don't think your mother has told you.

About five days ago, your father suffered a heart attack. He was rushed into hospital, but the doctors couldn't do enough to save him. He died only a few hours after the heart attack.

I'm sorry to have to tell you this, Ivy, but I believe it was in some part due to your mother. There was a letter on the sideboard. I haven't read it, and have enclosed it in here.

I am going to give this to the small owl that keeps on tapping me on the shoulder. I hope that somehow you will receive this then. I have no idea what your address is, to be honest. I just hope that this ends up getting to you in time. I presume you have an explanation, although you need not give one.

Come home soon. I'm sure your school cannot have any objections. I will always be here for you. Don't forget that.

Love,
Fanny.

[Ivy Tunstall]

Oh Fanny! Thank you for taking it upon yourself to tell me. I will explain all later. I haven't read the letter from my mother yet - I'm almost afraid to. I want to take things step by step. I will come soon, I really will.

Ivy