Peggy felt a dart of sympathy for Betty and Brendon as she closed the bathroom door on the racket. It couldn’t be easy for them living here and out of suitcases with a young baby, but as Pauline was still being a cow, they really had nowhere else to go. Brendon had been out every day this past week looking for somewhere to buy or rent, and had put their names down for one of the new houses which were being built on what had once been Chumley’s estate, but it wouldn’t be ready for another month.

Peggy decided on a strip wash this morning as running the bath would only further disturb Cordelia and the girls on this floor, and as she scrubbed herself with a soapy wet flannel, her thoughts turned to the disgraced Chumley. His conviction for fraud had earnt him a long prison sentence, and the estate had been seized by the taxman to pay off his massive debts. Lord Cliffe had bought some of the land, and a property developer had taken on the rest. The manor house and stable block were being turned into very smart flats, and a series of terraced, semi and detached houses would take up the rest of the estate grounds. Sarah, who worked in the council offices, had told her that the waiting list for these homes was growing by the day, but she’d managed to place Brendon’s application near the top. She was risking her job by doing so, but felt so sorry for him and Betty, and thought the risk was worth it if they could finally have a home of their own.

Peggy finished washing and brushed her teeth before getting dressed. She had few plans for today other than going up to Briar Cottage to see if she could help in any way. Poor Charlotte was still in pieces, Kitty was struggling to keep her focused on their business plans, and Roger was usually out, wandering Cliffe airfield or drinking in one of the pubs.

She was brushing her hair when she heard Brendon’s heavy tread on the stairs, followed by Betty’s lighter, less confident one. The poor lambs weren’t getting much respite, she thought, unlocking the bathroom door. But then what new parents ever did?

She hurried downstairs to find them in the kitchen. Brendon was pacing the floor with Joseph draped over his shoulder as Betty warmed a bottle of formula. ‘Is there anything I can do to help?’ she asked above Joseph’s wails.

‘I’m so sorry we woke you,’ said Brendon fretfully. ‘He’s not usually so demanding at this time of the morning.’