‘Don’t you dare even think such a thing,’ said Peggy, taking her into her arms for her own consolation as much as Cordelia’s. ‘We’d all fall apart if we didn’t have you to keep us on our toes. I for one hope you live to be a hundred.’

‘Hmph. Chance would be a fine thing,’ she replied. ‘I’ve had my four score, so I’m living on borrowed time according to popular belief.’ She drained the glass and held it out. ‘Any chance of a drop more, Jane, dear? It’s very good sherry.’

Jane raised an eyebrow but filled the glass anyway. ‘I see things haven’t changed much around here,’ she teased. ‘It’s good to know you still enjoy a drink now and then.’

‘I do indeed,’ Cordelia replied. ‘It’s one of the advantages of age. One can get pickled and no one takes a bit of notice – unless one falls down, of course,’ she added with a cheeky grin.

‘Who’s falling down?’ asked Rita as she came up the cellar steps into the kitchen followed by her father.

‘Great-Aunt Cordelia if she has much more of that sherry,’ said Jane dryly.

Everyone chuckled, Harvey leapt from the rug to welcome them home and Peggy had to fight him off to hug Jack.

‘I’ve put you up in the top room for now,’ she said. ‘If you’re planning on staying a while, then I might have to move you. I’m sorry, Jack, but you know how it is in this house.’

‘That’s kind of you, Peggy,’ he replied, dumping his heavy kitbag on the floor to hug her back and fend off an over-excited Harvey. ‘But I’ll be starting to look for a place for me and Rita tomorrow. Don’t want to be a bother.’

Peggy swiped his arm playfully. ‘Since when have you ever been a bother? You’ll stay for as long as you need. I’m in no rush to lose either you or Rita.’ She grabbed Harvey’s collar and ordered him to behave, which had him looking as if the world was against him as he crawled back to the hearthrug and eyed her piteously.

Jack loved Harvey, but knew better than to sympathise with him, for it would only encourage him to bounce about again. Aware of Harvey’s soulful eyes watching his every move, he greeted Cordelia with a kiss and a hug, made a fuss of little Daisy, and nodded hello to Sarah, Jane and Danuta whom he’d never met before, but felt he knew through Rita’s many letters.

His eyes widened as Cissy dashed through the kitchen, barely pausing to acknowledge his presence, although he’d known her since childhood. ‘Crikey,’ he breathed as she ran down to the cellar. ‘Is that really Cissy? I hardly recognised her.’