Peggy’s spirits had been lifted somewhat by her visit to the church on the hill, but when she arrived back at Beach View it was to discover that Cordelia and Ivy were looking after Daisy, and there was no sign of anyone else.

‘It’s been all go here this morning,’ said Cordelia once she was satisfied that Brendon had left without too much hullabaloo from Pauline. ‘Ron came home in a foul mood, which doesn’t bode well as far as he and Rosie are concerned – but he refused to tell me anything, just got changed into his usual disreputable old clothes and went out again.’

‘Where’s Sarah?’ asked Peggy, reaching for the teapot. ‘She was supposed to stay here and help you with Daisy.’

Cordelia gave a shrug. ‘Ivy and I can manage perfectly well,’ she said briskly. She finished wiping Daisy’s sticky mouth with a damp flannel, and the child rushed off to help Ivy finish the big wooden jigsaw Ron had made her for Christmas.

‘That’s not the point, Cordelia,’ said Peggy. ‘She said she’d be here.’

‘I know, but she got a telephone call shortly after you’d all left. It seems she’d forgotten she was supposed to be meeting one of her friends for a day out. And with so little time for fun, I could hardly stop her, could I?’

‘I suppose not,’ muttered Peggy, wondering if Sarah might be avoiding Beach View, for it was unlike the girl to forget anything – least of all a planned day out.

Ivy put the last piece of the jigsaw in place and then pushed back her chair. ‘Andy come in earlier to tell me ’e got tickets for the pictures this afternoon. So if you don’t mind, Aunt Peg, I’ll go up and get changed. We’re having a bit of lunch at the British Restaurant first, and if I don’t get a wiggle on, I’ll be late.’

‘Of course not,’ said Peggy. ‘You go and enjoy yourself, and thanks for staying to help with Daisy.’

‘It’s no bother,’ said Ivy cheerfully before running out of the room and up the stairs.

‘At least someone’s happy,’ said Cordelia. ‘But I’m worried about Rita. She and Jack popped in, just before they went back to the station for Jack to catch his train. It was plain to see Rita was thrilled to have a few hours with her dad, but was dreading saying goodbye again. And with everything that’s happened recently …’ Cordelia trailed off. ‘Anyway, I haven’t seen her since.’ She gave a worried sigh. ‘It’s all so very unsettling, this coming and going, and I dread to think what will happen in the next few weeks. All those young men, the fathers, brothers and sons …’