‘I know, but it’s still hard to see him go, and I have no idea what the future holds for us,’ she replied, the bright sunlight hurting her eyes as an entire regiment of drummers marched in her head. ‘And it will be harder still to ring Mum, because then she’ll know that my plan for Martin’s recovery has backfired spectacularly, and I failed him.’

Vi shot her a knowing look, and tutted. ‘Now you’re just feeling sorry for yourself, and that won’t do at all,’ she said briskly. ‘I prescribe some hot, strong coffee and a couple of aspirin to deal with that hangover. And a dose of hard work to stop you moping. You and the girls can help me and Claus weed the south field so the cows can have fresh grazing. Moping about all day won’t butter any parsnips, and it’s time you all got some fresh air and exercise.’

Anne accompanied her back to the farmhouse, her heart heavy. Aunt Vi was nothing if not practical, and although weeding the field was one of the least enjoyable tasks on the farm, it would at least go some way to ease the guilt and stop her from worrying about how Martin was coping on that long journey. But she certainly wasn’t looking forward to the conversation she’d have to have with her mother.

Cliffehaven

Peggy had been woken by the sound of baby Joseph’s crying. Peering at the bedside clock, she groaned. It was barely six, which meant she’d had less than four hours of sleep. She checked that Daisy was still asleep in her small bed and then snuggled back down beneath the covers, hoping she could return to the pleasant dream she’d been having about her and Jim swimming in the tropical blue waters off Burma. But it wasn’t to be, so she reluctantly left her bed and headed upstairs to the bathroom to prepare for the day.

The wedding party had continued long after Ivy and Andy had left for London, and Peggy had stayed on to help Gloria and Beryl clean up before fetching a sleeping Daisy from one of the bedrooms and wheeling her home. Daisy might still be asleep, but it was doubtful that would last, for Joseph was now yelling fit to bust and would soon wake the entire house.