Ron went scarlet. ‘Do get on with it, woman,’ he rumbled, not able to meet her gaze. ‘The whiskey’s evaporating in the glass while you’re rambling on.’

Cordelia smiled beatifically at him and raised her glass. ‘To you, my family, I wish you long life and the joy of knowing how very much you are loved. Cheers.’

‘Cheers!’

The sound of so many raised voices woke the dogs momentarily and they looked up to see what was going on – but as it didn’t involve food, they went back to sleep.

The evening continued in the quiet chatter of fond memories – and the not so pleasant ones of enemy raids, queuing at the shops, rationing and factory closures. And then the clock struck eleven, reminding them that they had an early start in the morning.

Rita was the first to make a reluctant move. Rising from her chair, she hugged Sarah and Jane, wishing them both good luck and a safe journey. ‘Me and Pete will be off in three days, and I’ve barely started on my packing, so it’s an early start for me too tomorrow.’

She handed Sarah a slip of paper. ‘This is the address where we’ll be staying in Cairns until we buy a place. Promise you’ll write and tell me how you get on in Singapore.’

‘Of course I will,’ said Sarah, ‘though it might take a while before we find out anything.’ She hugged Rita again, and kissed her cheek. ‘Stay safe, Rita, and have a wonderful life in Australia.’

Rita was unable to hide her pent-up excitement. ‘Oh, we will, Sarah,’ she breathed. ‘Pete and I have so many plans, we can hardly wait to get there and make a start on them.’

Sarah caught the flash of pain in Jack’s eyes, and unable to bear such stark misery, quickly turned to hug Peter. ‘You never know, Peter, we might come and look you up if we have to go to Cairns with Mother.’

‘Fair go, Sarah, you know you’d both be very welcome.’

Everyone trooped out to see them off, and Ron rounded up the dogs. ‘We’ll be off too,’ he said, giving both girls a hug. ‘Would you be after giving this to my Jim when you see him? It’s just a wee letter and a few snaps of our wedding.’

‘Of course I will,’ Sarah replied before giving Rosie a hug. ‘Goodbye, Rosie. Thanks for all the marvellous nights we’ve spent at the Anchor. We’ll always remember them.’

Ron embraced both girls swiftly and then stomped down the garden path with Rosie and the dogs following him. He clearly hated saying goodbye as much as Peggy did.

Much later that night when everyone else was asleep, Sarah lay awake and thought about the journey they were about to make within the next few short hours. There was a modicum of excitement at the thought of returning to Singapore and seeing her mother, but it was overshadowed by the knowledge that the homecoming would not be an easy one however things might turn out.