There would be fourteen of them sitting down for lunch tomorrow, plus baby Joseph who would be using Daisy’s old high chair now he was big enough. She hadn’t heard from Cissy recently, and as she’d been reluctant to make a firm decision about coming down for Christmas the last time they’d spoken on the telephone, Peggy doubted she would come. She understood that it was probably a very busy time for the taxi company and the attractions of London would be far more tempting than a family Christmas in Cliffehaven.

Peggy gave a sigh, adjusted a fork and spoon and went back to the kitchen just in time to stop Ron and his muddy dogs from going into her basement.

‘Oh no you don’t,’ she said. ‘Get those dogs out of here and your boots off. I spent half the morning polishing the lino, and I don’t want to do it again.’

Ron puffed out his cheeks and looked at her mournfully. ‘To be sure, Peggy girl, you’re getting too house-proud. A bit of mud never hurt anyone and I’ll be cleaning up after them.’

Peggy relented, but very reluctantly as Bob and Charlie appeared in the doorway, mucky as mud-larks and grinning from ear to ear. ‘See that you do,’ she retorted. ‘And I don’t want any of you upstairs until you’re clean and that floor is spotless again. The mop and bucket are in the scullery cupboard.’

Daisy came excitedly into Peggy’s room at five o’clock on Christmas morning with the stocking Santa had left at the bottom of her bed. She clambered into bed with her and chattered away non-stop as she showed Peggy the spinning top, the set of doll’s clothes and the packet of sweets.

Peggy drew the covers around them both and groggily admired everything, until Daisy finally ran out of steam and snuggled up for a little snooze. Peggy drifted off again, but she was aware of the heavenly smell of the turkey she’d put in the oven to cook overnight, and the huge amount of work she’d have to get through before lunch could be served. But it was lovely cuddling her little girl on this special day.

They were woken by a knock on her door. ‘Yes? What’s the matter?’ Peggy called, quickly disentangling herself from Daisy and pulling on Jim’s dressing gown.

‘We thought we’d bring you breakfast in bed,’ said Bob, pushing the door open as Daisy scrambled off the bed to hug his legs. ‘And to take this one downstairs,’ he added with a chuckle, swinging her up onto his hip.

‘Oh, darlings, how lovely,’ she breathed as Charlie came in with a loaded tray.

‘I want breakfast in bed too,’ demanded Daisy, wriggling in Bob’s arms.

‘Yours is downstairs, pipsqueak,’ he said firmly as Charlie placed the tray on the bed. ‘And if you keep making a fuss, there won’t be any more presents.’

This threat had an immediate effect, and Daisy quietened.

Peggy looked in amazement at the breakfast. There was a plate of bacon, egg and fried bread, a big mug of tea and a sprig of holly bright with red berries in a small vase. ‘Gosh,’ she murmured. ‘That’s a man-size meal.’ She looked up at her two strapping boys, tears of love threatening. ‘But thank you, it’s such a lovely, lovely treat. You are good boys.’