She slipped into a navy linen dress and matching heels, added a string of pearls and ear-studs, and then found some clean white cotton gloves. Placing a fetching little navy and white hat at a rakish angle over her platinum curls, she grinned at her reflection in the wardrobe mirror and nodded in satisfaction. It was amazing how a simple invitation to lunch had wiped away her weariness and bad mood, bringing colour and light to her face and eyes.

‘Not too bad for your age, Rosie,’ she muttered. ‘Not too bad at all.’

Not stopping to wonder if it was the thought of being escorted by the handsome major, the chance to show Ron she could be just as independent, or the opportunity to see inside the Officers’ Club which had brought about this change, she grabbed her coat and hurried back down the stairs to the bar and the waiting Henry.

3

Peggy wheeled Daisy’s pushchair through the distribution centre barrier and stopped on the pavement to say goodbye to Gracie. Daisy and Chloe were reluctant to be parted and there was a bit of argy-bargy from both of them until Gracie firmly carried a struggling Chloe away and headed for her rented rooms close to the recreation ground. Daisy wriggled and kicked at the foot-plate of her pushchair, yelling after her little friend.

Peggy tried to ignore her as she turned to Kitty and Charlotte. ‘It was lovely to catch up with you,’ she said, raising her voice to combat Daisy’s tantrum. ‘Why don’t you pop in tomorrow afternoon for a cuppa? Gracie’s bringing Chloe, so at least the children will keep each other amused so we can have a good chat.’

‘We’d love to,’ said Kitty. ‘I managed to get hold of the makings of a cake, so I’ll bake it this evening and bring it round.’

Peggy kissed both girls goodbye, and as they set off for the little cottage in Briar Lane, Daisy fought to escape the pushchair straps and yelled even louder. ‘Stop it,’ Peggy said crossly. ‘Behave yourself, or you’ll go straight to bed when we get home, and miss out on Brendon’s party tonight.’

Daisy eyed her belligerently and then slumped back with her thumb in her mouth, her tantrum spent – or at least postponed in her mother’s withering glare.

Peggy wheeled Daisy down the hill, hoping she’d drop off for a bit of a sleep so she’d be in a better mood by the time they got home, for she had enough to do without having to deal with any more nonsense.