‘She’s got petrol in that garage, and there’s a car too,’ she yelled, tugging urgently at John Hicks’s jacket.

He swore under his breath, ordered the Civil Defence to get everyone well away, and his men to aim their hoses at the garage. He swore again as Andy raced towards the garage and began to heave away the fallen masonry to get to the petrol cans inside.

Before John could stop them, Ron, Frank, Robert and Peter were by Andy’s side, tugging, heaving, chucking things to one side in their desperate bid to prevent another explosion.

Peggy saw the new blossom of flames at the same time as John. ‘Get out of there!’ he yelled. ‘The whole lot’s going to blow any minute.’

The jets of water soaked them as they reluctantly retreated. John ordered the fire engines and other vehicles to be quickly backed up the road, and then turned to Peggy and the others and yelled at them to run as far and as fast as they could.

Peggy dithered, but Ron grabbed one arm, Frank the other, and she was lifted off her feet and carried right out of Havelock Road and down to the promenade, where they pressed her down to the ground behind the tea kiosk and shielded her with their bodies.

Half crazed with fear, she fought them. ‘Where’s Daisy? Where’s my Daisy?’ she screamed.

They had no chance to reply, for the explosions came one after the other in a great booming salvo that shot flames, masonry and burning petrol cans high into the air.

Peggy stopped struggling and burst into tears. No one could have survived that. Her sister was gone. But where was Daisy? Was she safe?

She felt herself being lifted and held in strong arms, and in her sorrow, fear and bewilderment, thought for a minute that Jim had come home. But it was Frank. Dear, dependable, kind Frank. Closing her eyes she leant against him, thankful he was there, but longing for it to be Jim.

The tears flowed and she buried her face in his shoulder as he carried her away from the shouts of the firemen, the thick, choking smoke and the demonic crackle of those flames that were devouring her sister’s beloved house. She couldn’t bear to think of how it must have been inside when that V-1 hit, and could only pray that death was instantaneous, and they’d known nothing of it.

‘Mama. Don’t cry, Mama.’

Peggy opened her eyes and as Frank gently put her on her feet, she fell to her knees and clasped Daisy to her, kissing her little face and thanking God she’d come to no harm. ‘Is everyone else all right?’ she asked Pauline once she felt calmer.