Ruby saw that April was up in the signal box switching the levers so the departing train ran along the right track. Stan turned and saw Ruby, and with a huge grin, opened his arms in welcome. ‘My dear girl. I hear Mike’s home at last.’

Ruby stepped into his soft, all-encompassing embrace. ‘Nothing gets past you, does it?’ she teased.

‘It comes with the job. I hear everything on this platform.’ He held her away from him and regarded her with affection. ‘I don’t need to ask how things are with you and Mike,’ he rumbled. ‘There are stars in your eyes and you’re glowing.’ He hugged her again and kissed the top of her head. ‘So different to the waif that arrived here in the middle of the night half-starved and covered in bruises,’ he murmured. ‘And thank God for it.’

‘Let the dog see the rabbit, Uncle Stan,’ said April, pushing in to grab Ruby. ‘So when’s the wedding?’ she breathed.

‘On Wednesday,’ Ruby replied and then laughed at their shocked expressions before explaining the reason. ‘I want you both there, and Paula, of course.’ She looked around, but the child was nowhere to be seen. ‘What you done with ’er, April?’

‘She’s with Vera at the telephone exchange being spoilt rotten with biscuits and milky tea, I suspect. I’m picking her up after I’ve seen off the next train.’ April grinned and gave her a swift hug. ‘I’m so pleased for you, Ruby.’

‘So am I,’ said Stan who was quite flushed with pleasure. ‘Mike’s a good man. He’ll look after you.’ He grinned down at her. ‘Have you told Peggy and Cordelia yet? There’s nothing they like more than a wedding and happily crying all the way through it. But we’ll all be sad to see you go. You’ve become part of the Beach View family.’

‘I’m going there next,’ she replied. ‘I’m hoping Ivy will agree to come shopping with me for me dress tomorrow, and to be me bridesmaid.’

Stan’s happy smile vanished and he glanced anxiously across at April as if unsure of what to say.

Ruby experienced a stab of alarm. ‘What is it? What’s happened to Ivy? She ain’t been ’urt, has she?’

Stan took her hand and quietly told her all he knew of Ivy’s circumstances. ‘You missed her by seconds,’ he said finally. ‘She and Andy were on that train.’

He saw the tears in her eyes and put his arm round her to hold her close. ‘I’m sorry to spoil your day, Ruby, but you had to be told before you went to Beach View.’

Ruby’s tears dampened his railway uniform jacket as the sadness for Ivy’s situation twisted her heart. ‘So I probably won’t ever see ’er again if she’s going to Salisbury,’ she managed.