‘Good heavens,’ breathed Peggy, the delight quite overwhelming as she leapt from her chair again to grab their hands and kiss them. ‘Very many congratulations,’ she said warmly, giving Betty’s hand a little extra squeeze to show she approved. ‘I can just tell you’re made for one another.’

She regarded their radiant faces as they looked at each other, and dared to ask the question that was now puzzling her. ‘But why all the secrecy and rush, Brendon? Didn’t you want to have your wedding here with the family around you?’

The couple exchanged glances and Brendon shifted uneasily in the deckchair. ‘We wanted to keep the ceremony private with just a couple of close friends as witnesses,’ he replied. ‘Mum made it plain in her letters that she resented the time I spent with Betty whilst on leave, and we didn’t want her making a scene and spoiling things.’

‘Oh dear,’ sighed Peggy, thinking how foolish Pauline was to drive her son away with her jealousy and miss one of the most important moments of his life.

‘There was another reason,’ said Betty, regarding Peggy evenly. ‘We have a son,’ she said in a rush. ‘We named him Joseph in memory of Brendon’s brother, and he was born while Brendon was at sea after his last leave.’

‘But that’s marvellous,’ Peggy enthused, giving the girl a hug. ‘Oh, my goodness, such wonderful news all in one go. I don’t know if I can take it all in.’ She looked around in confusion. ‘But where is he? Surely you didn’t leave him down in Devon?’

They both chuckled, and Betty replied, ‘He’s barely three months old, but his grandfather and great-grandfather thought it was time he experienced the smell and feel of a fishing boat.’ She nodded towards the two men who were now sitting on the deck of the beached trawler. ‘We left him over there, guarded by a vigilant Harvey, and probably being thoroughly spoilt.’

Peggy grinned and nodded. ‘He’s certainly safe with those three. Harvey loves babies, and Frank must be cock-a-hoop at having a grandson.’

Brendon laughed. ‘He certainly is, and Ron’s tickled pink at the idea of having another boy to lead astray, so it looks as if we’ll be hard pushed to get any time with Joseph now the two of them have taken charge.’

Peggy noticed that Pauline had yet to be mentioned and felt a stab of concern, but said nothing, not wanting to spoil this happy moment.

Daisy came to the rescue by running up from the beach with her little friend. ‘This is Lucy,’ she said solemnly. ‘We is hungry again.’

Wondering where Lucy’s parents had got to, Peggy said hello and delved into the picnic basket for the bottle of squash and packet of sandwiches. ‘This is your Uncle Brendon and Auntie Betty,’ she explained, doling out cups of squash and a sandwich each.