And then Stan blew his whistle and waved his flag and everyone on the platform started walking alongside the carriage, shouting last-minute farewells and waving as Harvey barked and danced on the end of the leash.

The train chuffed and puffed and the wheels turned a little faster so it passed the end of the platform, leaving them all behind, and began to follow the long bend which would take it out of Cliffehaven.

Ruby could no longer see anyone and she slumped into her seat, sobbing and leaning into Mike’s comforting embrace. ‘I didn’t think it would hurt so much to leave them all behind,’ she said, her voice muffled against his chest.

‘They’ll write and send postcards,’ he murmured. ‘They love you as much as you love them, so you’ll never really lose them.’

They sat huddled together as the train rattled its way towards London, and eventually Ruby’s tears dried and she felt more composed. Cliffehaven and the lovely people at Beach View would always be in her heart, but now she must look to the future.

She sat straighter and lovingly hugged Mike’s arm, silently saying goodbye to the past, and feeling the first tingle of excitement for what lay ahead for them both in their new life adventure.

Rita was anxious to see how her father had got on in his house-hunting, and Ivy was meeting Andy at his lodgings for elevenses before they too left for London, so both girls dashed off as soon as the train was out of sight.

Peggy had waited until she could no longer hear the wheels turning or see the puffs of smoke trailing above the railway line, and was feeling quite low at the thought of having to come back to the station to see Cissy off this afternoon. She slowly walked down the High Street with Ron and Harvey, and could only pray that Ruby would settle happily in Canada. It would be early summer there, too, so at least the weather would be kind, but how she’d manage when the snow was as high as a house, she couldn’t imagine.

‘Ach, will you stop fretting, wee girl,’ said Ron, squeezing her hand. ‘Ruby and Mike will be fine – just as Cissy will in London.’

Peggy looked up at him in surprise. ‘She’s already been to see you then?’

‘Aye, that’s why I was late to see Ruby off.’

‘So, what do you think of her plans, Ron? I’m a bit worried about what Jim will say about it all, to be honest – and I’ve never met these girls she’s going into partnership with. I do hope they’re honest and reliable.’