‘That was Miss Tyler. You know … the little woman who came from the East End welfare department with the chap from the orphanage about Peggy! And you’ll never guess … they’ve decided to let me adopt her! Oh, I’m so happy, I can hardly believe it. They’re going to start the proceedings straight after Christmas and because everything is so straightforward and there’s no one to contest it, it should all be done and dusted in a couple of months!’

‘Oh, Edith.’ Sunday’s eyes welled with tears. She seemed to have done nothing but cry recently but this time they were happy tears. ‘I’m so thrilled for you … and for Peggy, of course. I’m sure she couldn’t have chosen a better mum than you.’

‘Hear hear!’ John piped up. ‘That’s wonderful news. Just what we needed to put us back on track for a happy Christmas, eh? But now run and tell the others. I’m sure they’ll be as delighted for you as we all are. Oh, and don’t forget to tell Peggy as well.’

Edith scooted away hardly able to contain her excitement as Sunday and John smiled at each other.

‘Oh, it’s so nice to hear happy news for a change, isn’t it? If only Giles, Livvy and David could be home for Christmas it would be perfect, but I fear there’s not much chance of that happening!’

‘Let’s just count our blessings,’ John said wisely. ‘They’re not likely to be with us admittedly but at least for now we know they are all alive and hopefully safe, so I’ll settle for that for the time being.’

Sunday was reminded of Christmases past when she woke early on Christmas morning to hear the children pounding excitedly along the landing. Smiling she got out of bed and pulled her dressing gown on, then slipping her feet into her slippers she followed the children downstairs to the drawing room where their presents were spread about the tree.

Edith was there with Peggy, hovering over her like a mother hen, while Kathy was trying her best to stop Thomas and Daisy from grabbing at the nearest gaily wrapped packages. Cissie and George had gone to spend a few days with their youngest daughter and grandchildren in Yorkshire, promising to be back to see the New Year in at Treetops and Sunday was missing them already, even though they had only left the day before.

‘Right now, this one is for you, Peggy,’ Kathy said as she read the names on the gifts. ‘And here’s one each for you, Thomas and Daisy.’