‘He’s already ashore having been demobbed from the Royal Naval Reserve. But he chose to spend his first two weeks with that girl, Betty, down in Devon,’ she replied, her lips thinning in disapproval.

Peggy made no comment, for this was typical of her sister-in-law’s attitude to Brendan’s girl.

Pauline carried on. ‘It seems he’s planning to bring her home to meet us, and will call in on my mother on the way.’ Her lip curled. ‘But I doubt she’ll be at home as usual, and it will serve her right if she misses her only grandson. Dolly was never much one for family, as you know.’

Peggy was all too familiar with the friction that existed between Pauline and her mother, so didn’t ask after Dolly who was actually a very good mother in her way, and had become a close friend over the years. As this conversation was heading into dangerous, rather depressing waters, she decided to take her leave.

‘Well, you take care driving home,’ she said. ‘It’s been a long time since you’ve driven that car, and it’s a tricky bit of road to Tamarisk Bay.’

Not waiting for a reply, she turned to the girls who were ensconced at the end of the bar finishing off the last bottle of champagne. ‘I’m off home to put Daisy to bed,’ she said. ‘Try to see that Jack makes it back in one piece.’

‘Jack will have to look after himself,’ replied Cissy. ‘We’re going dancing once we’ve finished this.’

Peggy regarded Sarah, Jane and Cissy, hoping they weren’t too squiffy after the afternoon’s drinking, for all sorts of shady types hung about the clubs and dance halls looking to take advantage of such girls. ‘Just mind you watch out for each other and stay together. And please don’t make too much noise when you come in.’

Kissing the girls goodbye, and giving Rosie a hug, Peggy left the Anchor and slowly wheeled the pushchair towards home. It had been a perfect day, and once Daisy was asleep, she would change into her nightclothes, make a cup of tea and snuggle down by the fire to finally read Jim’s letters properly.

With a cheerful fire burning in the range to chase away the chill and the curtains drawn against the rapidly darkening sky, Peggy made the cup of tea, wrapped her dressing gown around her and settled down in the armchair with her letters, savouring the moment before opening them again.

They’d been posted a few days apart and bore a new return address ALFSEA which Jim had translated in pencil on the line beneath as Allied Landing Forces in South East Asia. Making a note of this, Peggy carefully prised the letter open and began to read.