‘Ach, to be sure, Cordelia, you’re my favourite girl. Of course you get a kiss.’ He softly kissed her lined cheek, his heart saddened by how old and frail she’d become during his absence.

And then he was being embraced by Anne who introduced his shy grandchildren, before Martin pumped his hand. Frank and Brendon hugged him fiercely and he finally met Betty and baby Joseph.

‘This is Daisy,’ said Peggy, leading her to him by the hand. ‘Daisy, this is your daddy.’

Daisy looked up at him thoughtfully for a moment and then shook her head. ‘He’s not my daddy. He’s got legs,’ she said firmly.

Jim frowned and looked to Peggy for an explanation, but received only a shrug of confusion, so he squatted down to Daisy’s level, noting how very pretty she was with her dark curls and big brown eyes. ‘Why do think your daddy has no legs, Daisy?

‘Cos I seen my daddy’s picture.’

Jim realised she was talking about the studio photograph he’d had taken as a memento for Peggy before he’d left for India. ‘Ahhh,’ he breathed, and gently took her hand. ‘But I was sitting down for that, and I’m sure that if you look very closely you’ll see that I really am your daddy.’

Daisy inspected his face minutely, and then smiled. ‘Mummy said you were coming home. Are you going to live here now?’

He resisted hugging and kissing her, sensing that she wasn’t yet ready for that sort of intimacy. ‘Yes. I’m home for good and this is where I shall live from now on.’

Daisy still didn’t look totally convinced. ‘Will you live in the spare room? Mummy made it very nice.’

Jim chuckled and shot a glance at a giggling Peggy. ‘Well, I was rather hoping I could share Mummy’s room,’ he said.

Daisy shook her head. ‘I share with Mummy. You’ll have to sleep downstairs.’

‘Well, we’ll see about that,’ he said, ruffling her hair and earning a scowl. He stood and grinned at the others who were trying hard to muffle their laughter. ‘It seems I’ve been put very firmly in my place – and will have to negotiate my position in this house from now on.’

Peggy hugged him. ‘Don’t mind Daisy,’ she whispered in his ear. ‘She’ll get used to you sleeping in my bed.’

He looked down at her, holding her loving gaze and wishing they were alone, but the moment was broken by his father.

‘Well, to be sure, ’tis grand you’re home, wee Jim,’ Ron shouted before charging through the others to get to him. His hug took Jim’s breath away.

‘’Tis grand to see you too, Da,’ he managed, fending off Harvey’s rapturous welcome. ‘You’re looking well. Marriage obviously suits you.’

‘Aye, it does that,’ said Ron, gazing at his son as if he couldn’t really believe he was finally here. He gathered Bob and Charlie to him, nudged Harvey out of the way and grabbed Jim, his blue eyes bright with unshed tears. ‘My boys. My precious boys. ’Tis glad I am I’ve lived to see you all home again.’