She wrote about the work she was having done on the house, and Rosie’s plans to sell the pub once she was on the council. Making light of Pauline doing a flit, she went on to tell Ruby that Rita and Peter were now on their way to Australia, and that Sarah and Jane would arrive in Singapore very soon and finally discover what had happened to their father and Philip. There was the news that Danuta was courting a Polish baron of all things, and that although he’d lost both legs during a dogfight over Holland, it was clear the pair of them were over the moon with each other, and she was expecting an engagement to be announced any day now.

Peggy finished off by saying that once her baby was born, Ruby would feel much more settled as she’d have someone other than herself to care for during those lonely days when Mike was away, and not to be too downhearted in the meantime. Everything resolved itself in the end, and as long as she had Mike, she’d soon find her feet and start enjoying life in Canada.

Peggy read the letter through and couldn’t think of anything else to say, so she signed it and added a few kisses in the hope Ruby would know she was loved and missed.

She had just finished a similar, newsy letter to Jim when the back door crashed open and Charlie came up the stone steps. ‘What time do you call this?’ she asked mildly.

Charlie squinted at the mantel clock. ‘Five past seven,’ he replied, giving her a cheeky grin before he sank into a kitchen chair.

‘I’ll have less sauce from you, you young rapscallion,’ she said affectionately. ‘What’s happened to Frank and Cordelia?’

‘They stopped off at the Anchor for a drink with Grandad before he takes Rosie out dancing. I think Uncle Frank’s a bit reluctant to go home to an empty house, so he’s chatting to Brenda.’

Peggy felt a dart of hope which she quickly quelled.

‘Have you got anything to eat, Mum? Only I’m starving.’

Peggy rolled her eyes. ‘But you had an enormous tea at the club.’

‘That was hours ago, and I’ve only had a bag of chips since then.’ He got up to rummage about in the larder.

Alarmed, Peggy quickly pulled him out and firmly shut the door. ‘There’s soup in the pot on the stove, and bread in the crock. Everything else is for tomorrow.’

He grinned down at her just as his father used to do when he wanted his own way over something. ‘Are you sure I can’t have a bit of that tinned ham?’ he wheedled.

‘Positive,’ she replied, trying not to laugh.

‘Oh, Mum,’ he sighed, putting his arm round her shoulders. ‘I do love you, you know. And I’m sorry I’ve been such a pain.’

Peggy’s heart melted, for this was the first time her son had said anything close to an endearment, and it was the most precious of moments. ‘I love you too,’ she managed.