‘Here is the eight o’clock news for today, Tuesday the sixth of June, read by Frederick Allen,’ he began.

‘Supreme Allied Headquarters have issued an urgent warning to inhabitants of the enemy-occupied countries living near the coast,’ he stated solemnly. ‘The warning said that a new phase in the Allied air offensive had begun. Shortly before this warning, the Germans reported that Havre, Calais and Dunkirk were being heavily bombarded and that German naval units were engaged with Allied landing craft.

‘This new phase will particularly affect people living roughly within twenty-five miles of any part of the coast. The Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force has directed that wherever possible an advance warning shall be given to the towns in which certain targets will be intensively bombed. This warning will be perhaps less than one hour in advance of the attack. The warning will be conveyed in leaflets dropped by Allied planes.’

A breathless hush filled the kitchen as the planes carried on thundering overhead and the announcer continued.

‘The German news agency reported that Allied airborne troops have landed in the area of the mouth of the Seine. That Havre has been heavily bombed, and German naval forces were engaged with Allied landing craft. Calais and Dunkirk were being attacked by strong Allied bomber formations. The agency added that so far, no Allied airborne troops have been landed at these two points.’

The man paused and Peggy stilled Daisy, who was getting restless and banging a spoon on the table.

‘Here is the rest of this morning’s news,’ said Frederick Allen.

‘The latest news from Italy is that the Allied advance continues beyond the Tiber from Rome. The Italian General Bencivenga has assumed military and civil governorship on Allied authority. King Victor Emmanuel signed a decree yesterday, transferring his powers to the Crown Prince. The King now retires from public life, and his son becomes Lieutenant General of the kingdom, until the Italian people have an opportunity of deciding by free vote the country’s future form of government.

‘A Te Deum, in thanksgiving for the deliverance of Rome, will be sung in all Catholic churches in England and Wales next Sunday.’

Peggy made a mental note to go to the special mass, and rather hoped Ron might accompany her – but it was a forlorn wish, for he hadn’t been inside a church for years unless it was for a wedding or christening.

Frederick Allen’s voice broke into her thoughts. ‘President Roosevelt has congratulated General Sir Henry Maitland Wilson on the splendid success in Italy, but warned that ultimate victory still lay some distance ahead. The distance would be covered in due time but the going would be tough and costly.