‘I’m not entirely sure I approve either,’ he admitted. ‘Although Rosie thought it was a wonderful idea, and started babbling on about doing something similar here.’ He grinned. ‘I soon talked her out of it. We’ve enough to do running the Anchor, and Cliffehaven people have to watch every penny with things being as tight as they are.’

Ron paused to light his pipe while Harvey watered a lamp-post and sniffed in a doorway. ‘I don’t know anything about the other girls, either,’ he said once the tobacco was alight. ‘But only time will tell if this scheme will work and they’re serious about it.’

He stood and looked down the High Street to the calm blue sea for a long moment and then moved on. ‘I could see Cissy had made up her mind about it all and that anything I said wouldn’t stop her. So I gave her my blessing and tucked a couple of quid in her bag to tide her over for a bit.’

‘That was good of you, Ron,’ murmured Peggy.

‘She’s my granddaughter, Peg, and a couple of quid is neither here nor there.’

Peggy raised an eyebrow, for Ron was not known for splashing his money about – but he’d clearly decided Cissy’s new venture was worth it.

They reached the short alley which led to the side door of the Anchor and came to a halt. ‘Will you be coming in for a cuppa, Peggy?’ he asked as Harvey shot through the door and up the stairs in search of his food bowl.

‘Not today, Ron, thanks. I’ve left the girls in charge of Daisy and Cordelia, and I want to spend what time I have with Cissy.’

‘Ach, wee girl, Beach View is emptying fast, and I know how difficult that must be for you.’ He gave her a hug. ‘We have to let them all go in the end, Peg,’ he said quietly. ‘But I have a feeling you won’t lose them entirely. They’ll be back to visit with their husbands and wains before you know it.’

Peggy nodded, though she doubted they would, for making visits from Canada and Australia wouldn’t exactly be easy – and once Cissy had tasted city life, she’d be very reluctant to come back. ‘I’d better get on,’ she said, ignoring the heartache that beset her. ‘Will I see you over the weekend? Only you promised to have a look at the loose roof tile.’

‘Aye, I’ll drop in later when I’ve walked the dogs and helped Rosie with the midday rush.’

Peggy headed for home to find everyone in her kitchen. ‘Cordelia,’ she chided wearily. ‘I told you to stay in bed.’

‘She refused to stay up there,’ said Danuta helplessly. ‘I am sorry, Mamma Peggy.’