‘After I lost my leg you mean?’ Frank asked, sombre now.

Kitty nodded.

‘You’re right. I was a fool, so caught up in myself I shut everyone out. But I’m learning, Kitty, I’ve grown up. This war has changed me, and not just how well I can dance.’

Looking at Frank now, Kitty could see that was true. ‘You’re still a great dancer, Frank, the best.’ And Kitty meant it. Being in Frank’s arms felt like the most natural thing in the world. They had both changed, she was no longer the shy and timid girl she had once been. ‘Sylvia’s a lucky girl.’

Frank knitted his brow and made to answer, but before he could Dolly burst in. It was already after midnight. Dolly’s hair was awry and her cardigan buttoned against the cold – though all the wrong way – yet her face was full of joy as she ran to Pop and took his arms. ‘Pop. You’ll never guess,’ she gasped.

Frank dropped his arm from Kitty’s waist and removed the needle from the record, bringing their moment to an abrupt halt. ‘Whatever is it, Mam? Is she all right? Is the baby here? What is it?’

Dolly stood in the centre of the Callaghan kitchen, almost too overwhelmed with emotion to speak. Then she gathered herself. ‘Pop, you have a new grandson.’ She paused and swallowed. ‘He’s going to be called Edward. Teddy for short.’ Words seemed to fail her then, as Pop gasped too and looked as if he was welling up at the thought of a new Edward in the house; no replacement for – but a fitting tribute to – their beloved son who had given his life for his country and who had longed so keenly for this very moment. He rubbed his face, joy at the new life mixed with heavy sorrow for the one who would never see this new child.

Dolly took a deep breath and released the bombshell. ‘You’ve also got a new granddaughter.’

Pop stared and Frank and Danny looked at each other and then back to Dolly.

‘Yes, it’s twins,’ she went on. ‘That poor girl – that’s why her bump was so big. But Rita says she’s fine, and both babies are fine. They’re a good size for twins, she says. She and Sarah are staying with them for now and we can see them in the morning. How about that?’

Pop stepped closer to her and drew her into a hug. He was a big man who had seen most of what life could throw at him, but it was almost too much for him to take in.

‘A miracle,’ said Dolly, her voice faint but steady now. ‘Our best ever Christmas present. We might not have our boy any longer, but he’ll live on – in the twins.’