‘You don’t have to apologise for me,’ said Cordelia, snuffling into a handkerchief. ‘I’m old enough to do what I want. Such a fuss over a silly cold,’ she added.

Peggy kissed the top of Daisy’s head as the little girl sat at the table with her colouring book. The child didn’t look as if she was sickening for anything, which was a relief – but she really should be outside on such a lovely day.

As if Jane had read her thoughts, she reached for her cardigan. ‘Sarah and I were just about to take Daisy to the playground, and then up to see the horses at the dairy,’ she said. ‘We thought you’d like some quiet time with Cissy before she leaves.’

‘Oh, that is kind,’ Peggy sighed, sitting down at the table to watch an eager Daisy wriggle into her outdoor shoes and cardigan. ‘Lunch will be promptly at one – although it’s not very exciting – just Woolton pie again.’

The sisters left with Daisy skipping along between them, and Peggy gratefully accepted a cup of tea from Ivy. ‘What time are you and Andy leaving?’ she asked.

‘In about five minutes.’ Ivy dipped her chin and went rather pink. ‘I’m staying up there until Sunday night,’ she confessed. ‘’Cos Andy reckons there’s a lot to do to get the place straight, and if both of us set to, we’ll get it done quicker.’

Peggy raised an eyebrow. ‘How very sensible of him,’ she said wryly.

Ivy’s blush deepened as Cordelia tutted and rustled the pages of the newspaper to make her feelings clear on this dubious arrangement.

Peggy turned to Jack who was miserably staring into his cup of tea. ‘I don’t need to ask how you got on this morning,’ she said. ‘Was it awful?’

He shrugged. ‘Not as bad as some I’ve seen, but it’ll take a lot of work and money to put it right and make it habitable.’

‘I don’t know why you’re bothering, Jack,’ said Cordelia. ‘There’s a perfectly good empty bungalow in Mafeking Terrace now Ruby has no more need of it.’ She eyed him over her half-moon glasses. ‘I can negotiate on the rent,’ she offered helpfully.

Jack sat straighter in his chair and regarded her in deep thought for a moment. ‘I wasn’t planning on renting, Cordelia,’ he said eventually. ‘But if you’re willing to negotiate a price on selling it to me, then we can talk turkey.’

‘Chalk and turkey?’ she asked in confusion. ‘Silly man. Of course we’re not having that for lunch. Didn’t you hear Peggy saying it was vegetable pie?’

While Rita, Ivy and Cissy smothered their giggles, Jack made winding signals to encourage Cordelia to turn up her hearing aid. ‘Would you be willing to sell the bungalow to me?’ he asked loudly.