Stan and Ron were soon pushing the tables and chairs back into place, while Jack swept up the mess from the floor and collected the remains of the firecrackers and confetti from the pavement. Frank gathered up the empty bottles and carried them down to the cellar where he also tapped a new barrel of beer to replace the empty one. Sarah, Jane and Cissy went upstairs to wash up the plates and cutlery, and Peggy joined Rosie and Pauline to set about washing all the glasses and putting the bar to rights again before the reliable Brenda turned up for the evening session.

Once everything was ship-shape, Ron, Jack, Frank and Stan settled down at the table by the inglenook with fresh glasses of beer and a plate of left-over sandwiches. It was likely they would stay there until Rosie called time. Peggy refused another glass of champagne and fetched the pushchair from the hall then carefully placed Daisy in it, covering her with a blanket.

‘I’m off home,’ she said to Pauline. ‘You’re welcome to come with me and stay the night, but you’ll have to share with Rita, I’m afraid.’

Pauline buttoned her tailored jacket and smoothed her skirt over her narrow hips. ‘Thank you, but I finally persuaded Frank to get the car out of storage and roadworthy again, so I’ll be driving home.’ She glanced across at the group by the inglenook and grimaced. ‘It looks as if he’ll be here for the night again, but at least I won’t have to put up with his awful snoring.’

‘Yes, it does get worse after they’ve had a drink, doesn’t it?’ replied Peggy, rather relieved she wouldn’t have to spend the evening with her tiresome sister-in-law. ‘I must say, Pauline,’ she went on, eyeing the skirt and jacket which had definitely not been made at Solly’s factory, ‘you do look very smart, and I like the way you’ve done your hair.’

Pauline patted the neat brown curls. ‘I decided to treat myself to a permanent wave,’ she said. ‘And to a new wardrobe now I’ve been promoted.’

Peggy raised a questioning brow, for she’d never thought of Pauline as a career woman.

‘I’m now senior assistant to the administrator at the Red Cross distribution centre, and as the charity will be remaining in Cliffehaven, it’s a full-time, permanent post.’

‘Goodness me. Very well done, Pauline. I’m delighted for you,’ said Peggy with genuine sincerity. ‘They must think a lot of you to do that.’

Pauline looked smug. ‘They do indeed,’ she replied, gathering up her handbag. ‘So much so that when Brendon comes home, they promised to give me a week off on full pay.’

‘Have you heard when he’s due back?’