Peter chuckled. ‘You’re an incorrigible old rogue, and I feel sorry for any Sheila you pounce on today. But you could have your work cut out. Not all of them will fall for your charm – they’re far too sensible.’

Stan’s brown eyes were full of hurt. ‘But, Pete, all women like to be charmed.’

‘Well, now’s your chance to look them over and decide on your victim,’ said Peter, watching the elderly Cordelia being handed out of the car by Bertie as the Beach View girls appeared from around the street corner.

‘She is lovely lady,’ murmured Stanislaw, ‘and like my grandmother, so she will laugh at my teasing.’ His gaze moved on to the five girls who were approaching the church steps. ‘Beautiful,’ he sighed. ‘Tell me their names, Peter.’

‘The two blondes are sisters, Sarah and Jane; the little one in the velvet hat is April, and I’m not sure about the dark-haired plump one, but from what Robert said last night, it could be Mary.’

‘And the pretty little one in the frock dancing with flowers?’ asked Stan.

‘Ah, well, you’ll be glad to hear she’s from Poland. Her name is Danuta Chimelweski or some such – you lot have unpronounceable names – and she’s far too serious about things for you, Stan. In fact, she’ll be leaving soon to go back to nurse in Warsaw.’

‘Do you mean Chmielewski?’ asked Stan with a frown. ‘I knew a flier with that name. He was with me in the Spanish conflict. Aleksy was a very brave man and good companion. Sadly, he was killed during the Battle of Britain.’

‘That was her brother,’ said Peter. ‘Rita told me that Aleksy had been billeted with Peggy for a while and Danuta turned up at Beach View looking for him within days of his death. He’s now buried at St Cuthbert’s alongside her baby. The baby’s father was murdered by the Gestapo.’

Stan nodded thoughtfully and stroked his moustache, his sad gaze fixed on Danuta as she stood chatting with the other girls by the church steps. ‘She is planning to go back to Poland, you say?’ At Peter’s nod he struggled to his feet and leaned heavily on the walking sticks. ‘You must introduce me,’ he demanded.

Peter took a deep breath and wondered if it really had been a good idea to have Stan as his best man when he seemed so determined to conquer every woman there.

Peggy was sharing the limousine with Anne, the three excited little girls and Ivy. The car made its stately way along Camden Road and up the High Street, the ribbons fluttering on the bonnet and the children waving to everyone they passed.

‘I feel like a princess,’ squeaked a breathless Ivy who was clearly as excited as the children. ‘Ain’t never ’ad a chauffeur before or been in one of these posh cars. It’s smashing, ain’t it?’

Dear Ivy, thought Peggy with great affection. She had missed her since she’d gone back to London, but life had certainly been quieter and calmer.