She shook her head as she regarded her middle child, the most difficult of all of them. Nancy was standing with Violet and Ruby, deep in conversation. Dolly worried for her. Anyone could see that Sid would take a long time to recover, if he ever did. She thanked the lord that Georgie was such a sensible little chap, despite what he’d been through. Nancy had been markedly less flighty since that day – it was as if she’d grown up all at once. Dolly regarded the young woman’s silhouette carefully – no, she was sure she wasn’t imagining that little change around her middle. Well, she wouldn’t push the matter but would wait for Nancy to speak. Dolly could do the sums as well as anyone else, but if Nancy chose to announce this new addition to the family as Sid’s homecoming present, then she wouldn’t contradict her.

She sighed in gratitude. When all was said and done she felt blessed to be here, with the prospect of peace at last, among her beloved family. Of course they’d had their ups and downs, but when it came to it she couldn’t have asked for a better husband, better children or better neighbours.

Ruby blushed to the roots of her white-blonde hair but smiled broadly. ‘So what do you say, Violet?’

Violet had to take a moment to reply. It wasn’t that she was surprised to learn that Reggie James had popped the question. He’d been paying court to Ruby for months now and evidently cared deeply for her. Violet and Rita had often discussed it when the young woman couldn’t hear, deciding that it would be the best possible thing for Ruby if she were to marry Reggie. She’d been dealt such a tough hand in life – she surely deserved her chance at happiness.

What Violet hadn’t counted on was Reggie’s idea formally to set up in business, supplying fruit and vegetables to the shops around Bootle and, in time, beyond. He had the gardening know-how, and Ruby had proved she had a good business brain and head for figures. But, Ruby had pointed out, that wouldn’t be enough. They’d have to have someone who was good with the customers, and ideally who knew about the growing side of things as well. Would Violet consider joining them?