Once the babies had been changed and fed, they were brought in to join Paula and Daisy on the hearthrug. Daisy, at three, immediately took on the role of ‘little mother’ by telling them what to do. Much to the child’s annoyance, David had ideas of his own and kept trying to crawl away, which made everyone smile.

‘He’s so like his father,’ giggled Charlotte, rescuing him from beneath a chair where he’d got stuck. ‘According to the few letters I got from Freddy, it seems he spent most of his time as a POW trying to escape.’

‘My brother always was an adventurer,’ said Kitty dryly. ‘He used to drive poor Mum and Dad quite mad with the way he used to keep disappearing out into the pampas.’ She gave a wistful sigh. ‘As annoying as he is, I do miss him, and can’t wait for him and my Roger to be home again.’

Cissy broke the heavy silence this statement had elicited. ‘They’ll have to go through all sorts of checks and debriefings, and with the utter chaos over there, it could take a while to round them all up and find transport to bring them home. I’m not really expecting to see Randy before the end of the month at the earliest – but of course I could be wrong,’ she added hastily, seeing the gloomy faces.

Peggy got to her feet. ‘Right,’ she said decisively, ‘it’s time we went out and joined in the fun. Finish your drinks and get your hats and coats. I for one want to see how our newly-weds are faring.’

The mood brightened. The children were rounded up, hats and coats went on, and within a very short time everyone was trooping out of the front door.

Bertie and Cordelia went slowly arm in arm, Peggy walked with Cissy, and Stan had strapped Paula into her pushchair. Frank carried Daisy on his shoulders as he followed Kitty and Charlotte with their sturdy prams, and Doris and John held hands like young sweethearts. Pauline strolled by Stan’s side chattering about all the plans she had for when her son Brendon was released from his duties with the Royal Naval Reserve.

Peggy’s heart was full on this victorious day, even though there could be storms ahead – and not just for Cissy. She silently prayed that Pauline’s hopes wouldn’t be dashed by Brendon following his own dreams. The fall-out would affect everyone – especially poor, stoic Frank.