‘I’m sure you’d like to greet Ivy in private,’ Kate said gently. ‘If you’ll take him to the winter parlour, Perry, I’ll go and fetch Ivy. As you can see, it’s all a bit chaotic here today.’

She stood aside as a rather drunken man, whom she recognised as Joss Clarke, the butcher, lurched past her and let himself out through the front door. His wife came to a halt in front of Kate, her round face flushed and beads of perspiration standing out on her forehead.

‘I’m sorry, Miss Martin. My Joss can’t hold his liquor like he used to. I do apologise.’

‘That’s quite all right, Mrs Clarke,’ Kate said hastily. ‘Perhaps you’d better go out and make sure he’s all right. If you take him round to the kitchen I’m sure Mrs Boggis will give him some strong coffee.’

‘Yes, miss. Thank you.’ Mrs Clarke bobbed a curtsey before wrenching the door open. ‘Joss Clarke, just you wait until I get you home …’ She slammed the door.

‘Come with me, Ted.’ Perry beckoned to Ted, who hunched his shoulders and hurried after him, leaving Kate to go and break the news to Ivy.

The news that her husband was waiting for her in the winter parlour caused Ivy to collapse in tears. Kate wrapped her arms around her and gave her a hug.

‘You’re not teasing me, are you, Kate?’

‘No, I promise you it’s true. Anyway, I wouldn’t be so cruel. He’s here and he’s been released a bit early, maybe because it’s Christmas, or perhaps Perry had a hand in it. Wipe your eyes and go to him.’

Ivy sniffed and blew her nose on a hanky she produced from her apron pocket. ‘He won’t have any clothes with him. What shall I do?’

‘Don’t worry about anything. I know where Harry left perfectly good garments and they’ll probably fit Ted. Do you want me to send the children to you?’

‘Not yet. But what about the party? I should be helping.’

‘Nonsense. You’ve done more than your share of work. Go to your husband and I’ll make sure the children get fed. Don’t worry about anything, Ivy. It’s going to be a perfect Christmas.’ Kate shooed Ivy out of the pantry. It would be wonderful for the family to be reunited, but there were others who would spend Christmas apart. However, this was not the time for self-pity; she braced her shoulders and went to marshal the guests who had yet to eat into the dining room.