It was Sunday morning and Peggy made no comment when a smiling Cissy came into the kitchen, kissed her fondly, made a fuss of Harvey and took over the cooking. Her daughter had clearly decided to mend her ways and Peggy was much relieved, for things had reached the point where a quiet ticking-off had definitely been on the cards.

‘I’ve fed the chickens,’ said Cissy as she stirred the porridge. ‘And there are enough eggs for everyone, so I thought I’d boil them and do toast soldiers. Daisy tells me it’s her favourite breakfast.’ Cissy looked around the kitchen with a frown. ‘Where is Daisy?’

‘Upstairs, waiting for Cordelia. Since we lost Queenie, she’s taken to sitting on Cordy’s lap for the ride down the stairs each morning – although I fear she’s getting a little too heavy for such delicate knees.’

‘I’m sure Grandma Cordy will say something if that’s the case. She’s never been one to stay quiet when something doesn’t suit her,’ said Cissy with laughter in her voice. ‘But the stairlift has certainly given her a new lease of life,’ she added. ‘It’s a marvellous thing. Rita and her chap must be very clever to come up with something like that.’

‘Indeed they are,’ replied Peggy. ‘But then Rita was always good with machinery – she got it from her father.’

Further conversation was halted by the arrival of Sarah, Jane and Danuta, who were swiftly followed by Rita, Jack, Cordelia and Daisy. Harvey rushed from one to the other, whining with pleasure, his tail windmilling in delight as he was patted and petted, and a laughing Daisy was almost knocked over in his enthusiasm.

Peggy lifted Daisy out of harm’s way and onto a chair, tying a bib around her neck so she didn’t dirty her clean clothes. The others sat down, poured out the tea and tucked into the porridge as they discussed their plans for the day.

Danuta was on duty this evening, so she was going to St Cuthbert’s Church to attend morning Mass and put flowers on the graves of her brother and stillborn baby. Sarah and Jane were going to visit the horses at the dairy and then have lunch at the Officers’ Club, and Cordelia’s friend and loyal companion, Bertie Double-Barrelled, was taking her out for afternoon tea at the golf club. Cissy would be walking Harvey for the last time as Ron and Rosie were due back later this morning, and she told Peggy she might also go to the golf club in the afternoon to see what the game involved and if she might enjoy it. Clarissa and Philippa played golf, and Cissy thought it all sounded very jolly.

‘Dad and I will be going to visit Pete,’ said Rita, ‘but first I need to pop over to the Crown and make sure Ivy’s coping.’