Feeling a bit better after her inner rant, Doris had managed to get through the most pressing issues that had crossed her desk, then she shot home at lunchtime to make sure John was behaving himself, and to take charge of her wedding outfit which the seamstress delivered to her door at one o’clock. On her return to the office she’d instructed the temporary secretary on how things should be done during their absence, and as the woman seemed very capable, she left the factory estate at four o’clock feeling content that the office would be in good hands.

Doris walked home slowly, enjoying the warmth of this late summer day and the smell of newly cut grass. The sky was clear blue, the horizon shimmering where the sky met the sparkling sea, and the gulls hovered almost lazily over the hills and the town. It was a perfect day, and if it was like this tomorrow, then she and John would be blessed.

She came to a halt outside John’s bungalow and gave an exasperated sigh. The pocket handkerchief lawns in front of both bungalows had been mowed despite all she’d said, and if John’s back had suffered, then he’d really get the sharp edge of her tongue. She marched up the path and let herself into his bungalow.

‘I told you not to exert yourself,’ she said crossly.

He came out of the kitchen grinning. ‘It wasn’t me, Doris. I promise.’

‘Then who …?’

‘Hello, Mother,’ said Anthony, coming from the sitting room and swamping her in a hug. ‘We thought we’d come a bit earlier than planned, and as I had nothing better to do, I cut the grass.’

Doris hugged him tightly. ‘Oh, Anthony, dear boy, how kind.’ She pulled back from him as she heard childish laughter coming from the sitting room. ‘Is that my Teddy?’

Without waiting for an answer, she dashed in to find Suzy in an armchair with little Teddy at her feet playing with a wooden truck on the hearthrug.

‘Hello, Susan,’ she said distractedly as she bent to scoop the small boy into her arms and smother his face in kisses. ‘Oh, Teddy, darling,’ she murmured, holding him close and breathing in the deliciousness of his thick fair hair and baby skin. ‘What a big, beautiful boy you are for your grandma.’

Teddy squirmed and pushed away from her, his little face scrunching up as if he was about to wail in protest. Doris quickly put him down, her heart aching that her only grandchild didn’t know her.

‘He’ll be all right once he’s settled in,’ said Suzy, rising from her chair to coolly kiss Doris’s cheek before picking up her son to soothe him. ‘It’s been a long journey down from Cambridge and everything’s a bit new and daunting.’

Doris bit down on a sharp reply, for reminding them that she’d hardly seen any of them since they’d moved away would only make the situation more awkward. She forced a smile. ‘Well, it’s lovely to see you all,’ she managed. ‘You’re looking well, Susan.’