The ceremony was to be held at noon, and by eleven everyone but the bride and Ivy were downstairs, ready and waiting to leave for the church. The three little girls looked utterly cherubic in their white dresses edged with pink ribbon, the delicate froth of netting petticoat just peeking below the hem. They wore white shoes and socks and coronets of pink flowers were pinned firmly on their heads. Each would carry a small basket of confetti, but for now they were in Anne’s safekeeping.

Martin had returned and quickly changed into a suit before hurrying off to do his duties as an usher, and Jack had arrived freshly barbered and shaved with a rose in the lapel of his new tailored suit. The bridal flowers had been delivered by the local florist, and Stan, the stationmaster, had provided the blooms from his allotment to decorate the church, which his niece, April, was busily arranging.

Jack had really splashed out for his only child’s wedding, for not only had he organised limousines for the bridal party, but he had also booked the fully catered reception at the Officers’ Club. Peter had paid for all the dresses and booked a short honeymoon in a swanky London hotel, with theatre tickets and a boat trip on the Thames organised.

With all the arrangements out of her hands, Peggy had nothing to do but relax and enjoy the day. But that was impossible, for time was swiftly disappearing, and still there was no call from Rita.

Sarah, Jane and Danuta had looked fresh and pretty in their summer frocks and straw hats when they’d left Beach View with Charlie in plenty of time to walk to the church, and Cordelia’s friend Bertie had arrived looking as dapper as always, to ferry her there in his car. Peggy, Anne, Ivy and the three children would travel together in one of the limousines while Jack rode with Rita in the second. The liveried chauffeurs were now waiting outside, their gleaming black cars fluttering with white ribbons which drew quite an audience from neighbours and passers-by.

Peggy was trying not to fidget as she sat with Jack at the kitchen table which was laden with the bouquets, and distractedly watched the clock while Anne kept the three children amused by reading them a story.

Jack looked nervous and kept straightening his tie, which was already perfectly knotted, and continued to mutter the words of his speech under his breath.

Peggy smiled at him fondly and stilled his hand. ‘Don’t worry, Jack, you’ll be fine. It’s a good speech, and everyone will love it.’

Jack was about to reply when Ivy yelled from upstairs. ‘Auntie Peg! Are you still down there?’

Peggy shot to her feet and hurried into the hall. ‘Of course I am. What’s the matter?’

‘Nothing. Only Rita wants to speak to you.’

Peggy ran up the stairs to find Ivy and Sally waiting for her on the landing. Ivy looked positively radiant in a blush-pink dress that draped from a close-fitting bodice to just below her knees, and on her feet were matching pink shoes decorated with tiny, sparkling butterflies on the heels and toes.