‘You’ve clearly decided that me, your mother and the entire world is against you,’ she said briskly, ‘and I spend little enough time with my daughter to want to waste it arguing with you. Once you’ve stopped to think what your selfish attitude is doing to Frank and those who love you, perhaps you’ll have the decency to come and apologise.’

She didn’t wait for her reply, but turned away and hurried towards Daisy, who’d tripped over something and was yelling fit to burst as she sprawled on the grass.

It took some minutes to pacify Daisy, and once she was happily playing again, Peggy shot a furtive look over her shoulder. There was no sign of Pauline, and with a sigh of relief, she returned to pushing Daisy back and forth on the swing.

The hour was over all too soon and Daisy complained bitterly as Peggy lifted her from the swing and carried her back towards the High Street. She tried coaxing her into a better mood by talking about her best friend Chloe, who would be waiting for her at the nursery, and peace was restored by the time they reached the entrance.

However, Peggy seemed fated that morning, for as she waited at the kerb to cross into Camden Road a shiny black car pulled up beside her and Doris climbed out.

‘Hello, Margaret,’ she said with a smile. ‘This is a surprise.’

Relieved that Doris wasn’t on her usual high horse, Peggy smiled back. ‘Hello, Doris.’ She took in her sister’s lightweight suit and smart hat. ‘You’re looking very well. Are you off somewhere nice?’

‘A fund-raising coffee morning at the Officers’ Club,’ Doris informed her, bending down to tickle Daisy under the chin. ‘My goodness, hasn’t she grown since I last saw her?’

As Doris was clearly trying to be nice for once, Peggy didn’t remind her that it had been several months since her last visit to Beach View and it was therefore hardly surprising that Daisy had grown.

‘Yes, she’s getting bigger and more independent by the day,’ she said instead. ‘But Doreen’s been terribly kind and has sent on the lovely dresses and shoes that her girls have grown out of, so I’m never short of things for her.’

‘And how is our sister?’ asked Doris. ‘She rarely writes, but then I suppose she’s too busy now she’s saddled with that fatherless baby as well as the two girls, while holding down a job.’

‘Yes, very busy,’ Peggy murmured, glancing at her watch. ‘Look, I’m sorry, Doris, it’s been lovely bumping into you, but I have to be at work in ten minutes.’

‘Ah, yes. That ghastly factory,’ Doris sighed. ‘I do wish you’d find something more suitable, Margaret. Couldn’t Mr Goldman have given you an office post instead of sending you down on the factory floor with all those common women?’