Item 24 - Autograph letter signed to Beaton.

Got Beaton's mother safely off to Reddish last Friday, where she went straight to bed and stayed there until today. Saw her yesterday and she looked much better. Aunt Cecilia is going down on Friday with Dan, who will stay the night. Beaton's mother will probably remain down until Dorothy comes. Is very busy here. Is sending Beaton her salary cheques for him to sign. Will put things clearly so that he knows where he is financially. She couldn't do it before as she was waiting for the income tax returns to be completed. Discusses Beaton's finances. Reddish has taken up a lot of his income for the year. His income tax should be paid in January but she is going to wait until she knows what is happening. In February there will be his life insurance to pay. However he also has over £3000 of securities in the bank and on the strength of this they will allow him to overdraw almost £3000. Beaton will now understand why she is so anxious about Korda. Would like Beaton to find out what is happening with his Vogue contract. Would have liked his London salary to increase from £1000 but it was a struggle to get more than £750 last year. Asks Beaton if the advertising job is coming off. Miss Cleghorn has been calculating his living expenses. Has been asked to go and talk about Beaton's "School for Scandal" fee. Feels that it may not be very high, and may be on a royalty basis. Asks Beaton to suggest what to bill the Duchess of Kent. Lazarus is coming on Thursday and may possibly want a cheque for the linen, in which case she will put him on to Beaton's mother. Asks Beaton to call her at once if there is anything desperate about Korda, and to let her know his plans for coming home. Will give him the news of the dress rehearsal on Friday. Is trying to get to "Anna K" this evening. Beaton and "G.G." (Greta Garbo?) have been mentioned in a newspaper column. She has been telephoned by a lot of people but never discusses it with anyone.