Peggy rolled her eyes. ‘I give up trying to find out what’s going on there,’ she said to no one in particular. ‘And it’s most frustrating.’

Anne and Sarah laughed. ‘You’ll find out soon enough if she wants to tell you,’ said Sarah. ‘Honestly, Aunt Peggy, you’re the most incorrigible romantic.’

‘Mum sees romance everywhere,’ said Anne fondly before turning sharply to her girls. ‘Rose, sit still and stop banging that fork on the plate,’ she ordered crossly. ‘And, Emily, that’s enough grizzling. If you both go on like this there will be no trifle for pudding.’

This blackmail worked for a while, but as soon as they’d eaten the trifle it became clear that both children would put up a fight when it came to bedtime.

‘I don’t know about you, Mum,’ said Anne wearily. ‘But I’m in no mood for a tussle tonight. How about we take a drive out to the cottage so you can see all the wonderful work that’s been done?’

Peggy grinned and quickly cleared the table. ‘I think that’s a splendid idea, but how will we all fit into that small car?’

‘I’m off to the rugby club,’ said Charlie, scooping the last of the trifle from the bowl and licking his spoon. ‘The fixture list for the coming season is due out, and I want to see who we’re up against – and then I’ve got to finish Aunt Doris’s car. She’ll need it for Saturday.’

‘I’ve got letters to write,’ said Sarah. ‘But I’d love to visit sometime in the next two weeks.’

‘Well, I’ve got nothing to do,’ said Cordelia huffily. ‘Can I come?’

‘Of course you can,’ said Anne with an affectionate smile. ‘We wouldn’t dream of leaving you behind, Grandma Cordy.’

Martin pushed back from the table. ‘Why don’t you drive them up there while I go to have a chat with Roger and the others? I shall see enough of the cottage after tomorrow, and it won’t be such a squash in the car.’

‘Well, if you’re sure,’ murmured Anne.

He smiled down at her and softly kissed the top of her head. ‘You enjoy showing the place off, Anne. I’ll see you later.’

Once the dishes had been dealt with and the kitchen tidied, jackets and cardigans were fetched, outdoor shoes slipped on and they trooped outside to the Ford which was parked by the front steps. The sun was low in the sky, but it would probably still be light on their return as the summer days were long.

Peggy helped Cordelia into the front with Daisy on her lap, and then climbed into the back with Rose and Emily who promptly settled into her side and plugged in her thumb.

‘I can’t remember the last time I went out for a drive in the evening,’ Peggy said. ‘It feels as if I’m on holiday.’ She giggled. ‘Silly of me, I know, but it will be lovely to have my own car again and be free to come and go as I please. I have missed it.’