Lunch was over and it was almost time for Cissy to catch her train. The kitchen was deserted apart from Daisy who was curled up in one of the armchairs by the fire, pretending to read a picture book. The morning’s adventure had clearly tired her, and Peggy was still worried that she might be going down with something.

Jack had been full of beans when he’d returned from the bungalow, and now he’d gone off to see some government official at the factory estate to arrange the rental of one of the small units that were almost ready for occupation. Rita had left to see Peter who’d been discharged from Cliffe and was billeted in a boarding house the other side of Tamarisk Bay. Cordelia had finally been persuaded to go upstairs for a snooze; Jane and Sarah were in their bedroom reading the latest of their mother’s difficult letters, and Danuta was out having afternoon tea with Solly and Rachel.

Peggy was curious about the friendship the girl had struck up with the Goldmans, but then it was understandable as they too had ties to Poland. She just hoped they wouldn’t encourage Danuta’s wish to return to Warsaw, for by the sound of it there was utter chaos throughout the region as refugees and the survivors of those evil camps tried to find their relatives and rebuild the ruins.

She took Cissy’s hand as they sat at the kitchen table. ‘I’m sorry we didn’t manage to have much time to really talk, what with all the comings and goings this morning,’ she said as Daisy abandoned her book and clambered onto her lap.

‘I’m used to it after all this time,’ replied Cissy, giving her fingers a squeeze, and blowing a kiss to Daisy. ‘But I’m glad things are working out for Jack. He deserves it after all he’s been through.’ She glanced up at the clock on the mantel. ‘I’d better get a move on, or I’ll miss my train.’

‘I’ll come with you,’ said Peggy, lifting Daisy off her lap.

‘I’d rather we said our goodbyes here,’ Cissy replied gently. ‘You’ve done your bit today with Ruby and Mike, and I don’t think I could bear seeing you in tears.’

‘I promise not to cry,’ protested Peggy. ‘It’s not as if you’re going far away – or that I’ll never see you again.’

Cissy enfolded Peggy in her arms. ‘I know you’ll do your best not to cry, Mum, but if you do, then so will I, and completely ruin all my make-up,’ she replied, trying to make light of this emotional parting. ‘I’ll ring and write and come home to visit when I can, I promise,’ she murmured.

‘Oh, darling,’ Peggy breathed, holding onto her tightly. ‘Please be careful up there, and don’t let city life go to your head.’