The three bedrooms were all big enough for double beds, and Anne and Martin had taken the one at the back of the house which overlooked the lovely garden. The girls had a room each with matching counterpanes and curtains, their white-painted single beds giving them plenty of room for cupboards, shelves and toy boxes. Colourful rugs had been laid on the waxed floors, and framed prints from Beatrix Potter’s enchanting books were on the walls.

Peggy sighed inwardly, wishing wholeheartedly that her little Daisy could have such a wonderful room instead of having to share with her. She turned away and headed for the bathroom.

‘Oh my goodness,’ she breathed as she opened the door. ‘It’s a positive palace, Cordelia.’

They stood in the doorway to admire the white tiles and new bathtub on clawed feet; the bright blue linoleum on the floor which matched the towels on the rail and the curtains at the frosted window. There was a sink with brass taps and a very posh lavatory, both bearing the gold insignia of the Grand Hotel.

‘I see Ron’s been up to his old tricks again,’ tutted Cordelia. ‘He must have been keeping those in his shed ever since the place was reduced to rubble by that bomb.’

‘Oh well, at least it’s saved them a bit of money,’ sighed Peggy. ‘All this work must have cost a fortune.’ She wistfully closed the bathroom door and helped Cordelia back down the stairs, her imagination now on fire.

Beach View was looking decidedly shabby, and if Ron, Charlie and Frank were capable of doing such a fine job on Anne’s place, then they could jolly well set to and bring it up to date. She’d pay them, of course, and get the experts in for things like electrics and plumbing, but seeing Anne’s lovely home, and hearing Doris’s plans for the two bungalows, she knew it was time to stop dithering and get on with it.

Returning home an hour later, she put Daisy to bed and plucked her bank book out from the bottom of her underwear drawer. Taking it into the kitchen, she lit a cigarette and then leafed through the pages. The sum she’d accumulated was quite impressive, and far more than she’d expected – but then most of her wages had gone in there, and a fair amount of Jim’s money was regularly deposited straight from the Army Pay Corps.

‘You’re up to something, Peggy Reilly,’ chuckled Cordelia. ‘I’ve seen that expression before.’

Peggy closed the little book and grinned. ‘Things are going to change around here, Cordy, and although it will mean a lot of upheaval and noise, it will be so worth it in the end.’

‘Jim might have a word or two to say about that if there are too many changes,’ Cordelia warned softly.

‘I’ll write and tell him my plans once I’ve got them clearly in my mind,’ she replied. ‘And when he comes home he’ll be as pleased as punch. You wait and see.’