Consequently, Doris was a bit squiffy by the time they had to go home, so Suzy drove the car back and then went to bed leaving poor Anthony to listen to his mother’s excited chatter about the baron. It seemed that Doris could still have her head turned by a title, so not that much had changed, after all.

Jack had delivered Peggy’s car earlier that morning, before hurrying back to make inroads on the number of vehicles still waiting to be serviced and repaired. Even with Rita and Peter doing their bit, they were inundated with work. He’d told Peggy that when Jim came back there was a job waiting for him, as he couldn’t manage on his own once Rita and Peter had left for Australia.

Peggy was delighted to think that Jim could walk straight into a good job on his return home, and her spirits were high as she carefully drove her lovely, shining car up to the Town Hall with Doreen and the children in the back and Cordelia in the front.

Martin had left earlier with Anne and their two children because he was John’s best man and needed to be there to keep him steady should he need steadying. Peggy smiled at this thought as she helped Cordelia out and up the Town Hall steps, for it was probably Doris who would need steadying after her run-in with Stanislaw last night.

It was almost midday, the sun was shining, and although there were a couple of clouds in the sky they didn’t look too threatening, so it was very possible they could hold the start of the reception in the golf club garden. She made sure Cordelia was safely in the lift with Evelyn, who’d clearly decided she needed to look after her, and then they trooped up the stairs to the familiar wedding room.

John and Martin were in their best suits and John looked remarkably calm as he chatted to Bertie Double-Barrelled and gave everyone a welcoming smile. Brendon and Betty came in with baby Joseph, followed by Frank and a rather sour-faced Pauline who glared at Doreen and then blatantly snubbed her by turning her back to talk to the registrar.

All the little girls looked very sweet in their best dresses, and Archie was utterly adorable in his blue romper suit and matching sunhat – although that didn’t stay on for long as he preferred to chew it rather than wear it.

Peggy doubted she’d cry at this particular wedding, but she’d brought several handkerchiefs just in case. There were lollipops in her handbag should the children start to fidget, and Doreen had brought a bottle and several clean nappies for Archie. Peggy sat down next to Cordelia and smiled at Danuta and Sarah as they quickly took their places in the row behind them.

Ron turned up without Harvey for once, but with a very glamorous Rosie on his arm. ‘We’ve left the dogs at home,’ he told Peggy, who’d been worried that something might have happened to them. ‘They’ve had their walk, and the mayor made it very plain that Harvey was no longer welcome. To be sure, I’ll be having a word with that man, so I will.’