The Dennis Wheatley 'Museum' - The Women in DW's life

After the War : Barbara Symonds marries DW's best friend Cecil Cross

After the war DW resumed his friendship with Barbara Symonds, and he was always hoping she would marry him, but she kept saying "I can't make up my mind yet".

She then dealt DW a shattering blow. DW's father sent him on a cruise to help his lungs recover from the damage they had suffered in the War, and while he was in Madeira he received a letter from Barbara telling him she had just got engaged to one of his best friends - Cecil Cross.

DW regarded Cecil's stealing Barbara as an act of the basest treachery.

Perhaps, though, he had a lucky escape.

Cecil later confided in DW that his marriage lasted less than 24 hours.

References : 'Officer and Temporary Gentleman' pp 16-18,19-20,21,25,242,243-4.
'Drink and Ink' pp 19,24-5.
Phil Baker pp 87,88,158,230.

Provenance:

Private Collection