‘Kicking and screaming if necessary,’ said Anne flatly. ‘I’ll see you next weekend, Mum. And thanks for being so kind and understanding.’

Peggy was about to reply, but Anne had quickly finished the call and there was only a loud buzzing coming from the receiver. She stubbed out her cigarette and thought about the big double bedroom at the front of the house. It was directly beneath the one Brendon was sharing with Betty and the baby, so it was doubtful if Martin and Anne would get much sleep. And then there was Rose and Emily to consider. They were too young to be put into the basement room, so would have to sleep in with their parents.

She picked up the receiver and asked April at the telephone exchange to connect her to the Anchor. She knew Ron could lay his hands on most things; surely he could find a spare cot at short notice?

With Ron’s promise to see what he could do, she checked on Daisy who was still asleep, then went into the kitchen to find Joseph peacefully asleep in his mother’s arms and Brendon drooping wearily over a cup of tea. ‘Why don’t you both go back to bed? I can keep an ear open for him and entertain him when he wakes.’

‘Thanks, Peggy,’ said Betty, shooting her a soft smile. ‘I think we will snatch a nap until he wakes again, but we don’t expect you to be running about after us.’

‘I really don’t mind,’ she replied, fondly regarding the baby. ‘Besides, I’ll have virtually an empty house for the day once Jane and Sarah leave with Jeremy for London. Danuta will be on duty this afternoon, so there’s only Cordelia and Daisy to worry about.’

Brendon kissed her cheek. ‘You really are the most lovely of aunts,’ he murmured before helping Betty to her feet and guiding her towards the door into the hall.

‘How very cosy.’ The sneering voice came from the doorway leading down to the basement.

‘You should learn to knock, Pauline,’ said Peggy sharply, ‘and not creep up on people like that.’

‘I have every right to be here, considering you’ve stolen my family,’ she retorted.

Peggy gestured to the young couple hovering uncertainly in the doorway. ‘Go and have your sleep. I’ll deal with this.’

‘This?’ Pauline hissed. ‘I’m not an object, but Brendon’s mother.’

Peggy closed the door behind the departing couple. ‘Perhaps you should have remembered that when you turned your back on him and his little family,’ she snapped.

‘He shouldn’t have betrayed me the way he did by not asking me to his wedding to that creature, who’s clearly turned him against me by cosying up with Dolly and Carol.’