Dolly held Joseph in her arms and lovingly stroked his soft cheek. ‘Carol and I managed to calm your mother down when she stormed in all set to rant at your poor father. We stayed long enough to ensure they could conduct a civilised conversation without it turning into a full-blown row, and left them to it.’

She looked up from the baby and regarded Brendon with great affection. ‘I’m sorry, dear boy, but that’s all we could do in the circumstances. It’s up to your parents now to decide what happens next.’ She reached for his hand. ‘You just concentrate on your own little family. Things will work themselves out eventually. They always do.’

A short while later, Dolly reluctantly handed the baby back to Betty. ‘We have a long drive ahead of us, so we must leave,’ she said sadly. She wrapped her arms about Brendon and kissed him before turning to Betty. ‘I’m so delighted you married our boy, and your baby is simply beautiful. Take care of yourself, dear, and should you ever decide to come for a visit, you’ll be very welcome.’

Kissing Cordelia’s soft cheek, she then hugged Rosie before being swept into Ron’s arms. ‘Good heavens,’ she managed as he lifted her off her feet in a bear hug. ‘That’s one heck of a hug, Ron.’ She giggled as he carefully released her. ‘Goodbye, you old rogue. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.’

‘Ach, to be sure, Dolly, that gives me a wide scope for mischief, so it does,’ he replied with a wink.

Peggy hugged her, breathing in the familiar flowery scent. ‘I wish you all the luck in the world, Dolly,’ she murmured. ‘Try not to forget us, and write sometimes.’

Dolly’s eyes were suspiciously bright as she eased from the embrace. ‘I’ll never forget any of you,’ she said gruffly. ‘Now, we really must go before I make a complete fool of myself and ruin my make-up.’

She gathered up her things as Carol was hugged and kissed by everyone, and then dug in her handbag. ‘I almost forgot,’ she said, handing an envelope to Peggy. ‘This is for Danuta. Tell her I’m sorry I didn’t have a chance to see her again.’ With that, she quickly made her way to the front door.

Everyone gathered on the steps and tearfully watched them climb into the smart black Austin parked at the kerb. And then, with a wave and a blown kiss, Dolly drove away into the glow of the late afternoon sun.

Martin ached all over from sitting down for so long, and he eased his back and neck to unlock the stiffness before helping Sally down from the train and swinging young Harry out and onto the platform.