‘Rather well, as it happens,’ she replied with a touch of smugness. ‘I spoke to the man at the estate agency to get some idea of how much the bungalow is worth and, armed with this information, I was able to talk to the bank manager about a mortgage. He was quite agreeable to me taking out a loan as you own your bungalow outright, and I’m working full-time, and as it isn’t for a large amount, he suggested a short-term mortgage with repayments that I can easily manage.’

‘Goodness, you have been busy,’ he said. ‘How much will you be borrowing, Doris? I don’t want you getting into debt.’

‘The bungalow is worth about two hundred and fifty pounds on the open market, but I’m borrowing three hundred so we can have the work done to turn the two places into one.’

‘And how did Rosie react to this idea?’

‘She thought it was very sensible in the circumstances, and agreed to the offer of two hundred and twenty-five pounds.’ Doris grinned. ‘Oh, John, I know it will mean a lot of mess and turning things upside down, but when it’s finished, we’ll have the finest house in the road.’

‘We will indeed,’ he replied on a chuckle. ‘Now, you’re not to worry about the mortgage repayments, I’ll help with those, and any extra work that might need doing to turn the two bungalows into a proper house. Why, we might even think about converting the attic into a large double bedroom, bathroom and dressing room. What would you think to that?’

Doris was aglow with happiness as she softly kissed his lips. ‘It will all be wonderful as long as we’re together, John.’

‘Indeed it will, dear heart,’ he murmured, ‘and I can hardly wait for Saturday.’

Sarah returned alone to Beach View late that Monday night to find Peggy and Cordelia alone in the kitchen listening to the wireless. ‘Gosh, you’re up late,’ she said, dumping her numerous shopping bags on the table.

‘We’ve been celebrating Danuta’s decision not to go to Poland,’ said Cordelia. ‘She’s exhausted, poor lamb, so has gone to bed.’ She regarded her great-niece over her half-moon glasses. ‘Where’s your sister?’

‘Jane’s staying on in London to spend time with Jeremy before we leave for Singapore,’ said Sarah, taking off her hat and jacket. ‘He’s off to Washington soon, so they won’t have much chance of being together for a long while.’

‘It comes to something when you young girls gad about without the benefit of a wedding ring on your finger,’ huffed Cordelia. ‘I don’t know what the world’s coming to.’

‘You look tired, Sarah,’ said Peggy, who rather agreed with Cordelia, but kept her own counsel. ‘Come and sit down and have a sherry. There’s still a drop in the bottle.’

Sarah kicked off her shoes, sat down and gratefully accepted the glass of sherry. ‘I feel as if I’ve walked the entire length and breadth of London,’ she said after taking a sip. ‘My poor feet are killing me.’