All the presents had been placed beneath the tree in the dining room, and Daisy was in a fever of excitement as she sat by them and tried to guess which ones were hers and what could be in them.

Ron had just begun to carve the turkey when the telephone rang. Peggy dashed into the hall and had to plug one ear against the noise coming from the dining room where Stanislaw was regaling them all with one of his tall stories.

‘Hello?’

‘Happy Christmas, Mum,’ said Cissy. ‘I’m sorry I can’t make it down, but I just wanted you to know I was thinking of you all.’

‘Oh, darling, thank you. We miss you, but do understand you must be very busy up there.’

‘It’s absolutely hectic,’ she replied. ‘With all the parties going on, we’re non-stop from morning until very late. I’m exhausted, if the truth be told, but it’s all so exciting, Mum. London really is spiffing at this time of year.’

Peggy smiled at her daughter’s plummy tones. ‘Did you get the present I sent? I’m sorry it’s not much, but there’s so little choice in the shops.’

‘The blouse is absolutely lovely,’ Cissy enthused. ‘I’m actually wearing it now with a black skirt and jacket.’ She paused for breath. ‘I’m terribly lucky, because I’ve had some really super presents this year, so really feel guilty about not being with you all. Dad sent me the most amazing red and gold silk wrap from Singapore which will look quite stunning with the new dress I bought in Harrods.’

Peggy raised an eyebrow. Harrods indeed. Her daughter certainly knew how to spend her hard-earned money.

‘Will you thank Grandad and Rosie for my lovely earrings – and Anne for the absolutely spiffing gloves. They’re all beautiful, and every time I wear them I shall think of you all.’

The pips started. ‘I have to go, sorry, Mum. Have a lovely day and give my love to everyone.’

Peggy smiled as she replaced the receiver. Cissy was happy with her new life – that was all that really mattered – and she’d cared enough to make the call, so she wasn’t lost to them, just on loan to the bright lights of London for a while.

The lunch was a noisy, very jolly affair as they ate the delicious food, drank copiously, pulled crackers and wore the paper hats Peggy and Danuta had made. Baby Joseph joined in the racket by banging a spoon on the high-chair tray, his paper hat over his eyes. Harvey and Monty had been surreptitiously treated to bits of turkey, sausage and ham by Ron, and when it was clear there would be no more, flopped down on the rug in front of Ron’s seasoned applewood fire which Bob had lit earlier.

After lunch the presents were handed out and soon the floor was littered with paper and string and bits of ribbon which Joseph crawled through in great delight. Daisy had been given a doll’s pram and she had to be forestalled from trying to put Joseph in it, and to avoid a temper tantrum, was distracted by Charlie showing her how to spin her top properly.