‘It’s my home town, Aunt Peg, and we want Joseph to grow up surrounded by those who love him. Given time, I’m hoping Mum might come round to the idea of me being married with a son, but until then we’re putting up a united front with Dad which she’ll find very hard to break.’

He shrugged and gave Peggy a smile. ‘We’ve got each other as well as you and Dad and Grandad – and with so much love and strength between us, we’ll muddle through somehow.’

‘Indeed we will,’ said Betty, struggling out of the deckchair. ‘We’d better go and fetch Joseph,’ she said to Brendon. ‘It’s getting late and he’ll need a nappy change and feed before we take him back to Tamarisk Bay.’

She turned to Peggy and gave her a hug. ‘We’ve only just met, but now I know why Dolly and Carol love you so, Peggy. Thank you.’

‘There’s no need to thank me,’ Peggy replied, feeling rather emotional. ‘Now go and see to that baby, and please call in tomorrow so I can have a cuddle and get to know him.’

They assured her they would, and then strolled away arm in arm towards the fishing boats, their togetherness plain to see.

Peggy watched them enviously, remembering how she and Jim used to take evening strolls along the promenade before the children came along. But inside she was fuming. Pauline Reilly needed a sharp slap and a damned good talking to for being such a bitch – and if things didn’t improve very quickly, she’d see to it the bloody woman heard exactly what she thought of her.

21

Burma

The orders had finally come through to the camp and, for the past couple of weeks, the mixed brigades of the 14th Army had been driving hard to push the Japanese back along the two roads that led into the main north–south axis from the east.

Jim and his brigade of engineers had been sent south but, crammed into the trucks, armoured cars and jeeps like sardines, or hanging onto the sides, it was hard going, and the drivers found it almost impossible to keep up with the leading tanks of the Indian Army’s 7th Light Cavalry. These advance tanks moved so fast that they often came upon Japanese rearguards marching along the road and machine-gunned them down without losing speed.

As Jim and his brigade advanced south with the determination of a herd of buffalo scenting water, the petrol supply was stretched to the very limits. Maintenance of the vehicles became an urgent necessity, and breakdowns caused more delays than the enemy. Half-rations were once more put in place to allow the airlifts to be used for petrol and ammunition, but despite the desperate need to stop and see to the battered vehicles, the orders came down the line to keep advancing.