Letter from a portrait, by Hinchcliffe and Hodgson has been adapted from L.S. Lowry’s ‘The Firewatcher’ (1943) which can be seen currently at the new Weston Park Museum, Sheffield.

My Dearest Firefighter,

Just a note to say, I was as jubilant as a painting can be, when I heard the great news of our recent victory over the enemy. I am privileged to have this opportunity to speak to you, though I don’t want to delay you from any of the celebrations so I will try to keep this brief.

I must say firstly how sorry I am for my totally unexpected and seemingly ridiculous death. My fatal accident must have been a terrible shock and no doubt, you were as angry as you were upset, at least at first. I just hope that you have recovered enough to forgive me since…?

Please accept that I had no chance to avoid that speeding car with masked headlamps on what was a very foggy night. For what it’s worth now, I only felt the bump and nothing more. Looking back of course, I can’t believe the irony of it. Can you?

After all those near misses together at home and at work… You were a Firefighter of course, where as I was only a Firewatcher! I have to admit that I?ll always regret being unable to serve as you did, and not being able to do more.

I was jealous of you, you know? But, that aside, I must say yet again that I will always be very proud of you for everything you did for the National Fire Service. I genuinely hope that you and your colleagues receive all the recognition you deserve for your heroic contribution to the safety of our people.

Finally, I must thank you with all my heart (painted though it is now!) for everything we shared in our lives together. I hope you know that I always tried to treat you well and I’m eternally grateful for all you did for me. I know things weren’t always easy but surely it’s a great comfort to think that we did our best for each other?

Anyway, we always hoped it would be over someday, and you prayed for it, didn’t you? I never believed in the Almighty as you know and I was never much of a Vera Lynn fan either, but if you want to ‘meet again’, don’t forget, I’ll be hanging around for a long time yet!

Fondest love and best wishes, always,

Your Firewatcher.

P.S. I’m afraid I still look just the same in this painting. Same scarlet scarf and black coat, same big ears and parted hair, same staring eyes and drained complexion.