She groaned. ‘I hope we can start with more than a bed and a couple of chairs!’ But, like Alfie, she knew it wouldn’t be easy. ‘I know the war’s over and things are slowly getting back to normal, but there’s still a shortage of some items.’ Reluctantly, she agreed with him on one thing. ‘It’s a good idea to wait for another six months or so. I think we should try for a house on Derwent Street; they all have three bedrooms and they’ve got nice size back yards. Then, I’ll want a new lavvy put in. I’m funny about using other folks’ lavvies, especially if they haven’t been changed since the house was built.’

Alfie laughed out loud. ‘You can have a new lavvy for a wedding present – how’s that?’

Ignoring him, Molly lovingly described her ideal lavatory. ‘I’d like a white one,’ she said dreamily, ‘with blue flowers, and a china handle, and a seat that fits proper, so when you sit down, it won’t tip to one side.’ It was something she had set her heart on.

‘I see.’ There were times when he couldn’t fathom this lovely creature. ‘All right then, forget the diamond ring and the fur coat. You can have your lavvy with its blue flowers and china handle. What’s more, I’ll have it wrapped in crimson ribbons with a great big bow. And nobody will be allowed to sit on that seat, until you’ve tried it for size.’

But she was adamant. ‘Laugh if you like, but you’ve never had to use ours – that’d soon wipe the smile off your face.’

‘And is that all you want?’

‘Well, I’d also like a nice rug in front of the fire, and a full-size stove.’ Her eyes sparkled as she looked up at him. ‘I’ve seen one at Barney’s second-hand shop. I know he’ll keep it for us if we put down a small deposit. Later on, we can change it for a better one, if you want?’

‘Anything you say,’ he replied, thinking how little she wanted, and how much he would love to be able to give her. ‘Promise me one thing?’ he asked.

‘If I can.’

‘When we’re married, you won’t want more than two children, will you?’ He loved kids but only in small numbers.

‘Four!’ Molly had her brood all mapped out.

‘Settle for three?’ Looking pitiful, he put his hands together as though in prayer.

‘Coward!’ But Molly understood how he felt; in fact, though she would never tell anyone this, there were times when she swore she would never have any kids at all. Being one of six children in a cramped house with parents who spent their life rowing and fighting was a terrible trial. But when she asked herself if she could go through life without children of her own, she knew how empty that life would be, even with Alfie by her side.

‘Is it three then?’ he asked hopefully.

‘Depends how careful you are,’ she answered boldly. ‘If you’re anything like my dad, we’ll likely end up with an army!’