‘Not today, Daisy. It’s too close to teatime.’

Daisy slumped into the pushchair, arms folded and pouting. ‘Want ice-cream.’

‘The shop’s shut,’ said Peggy firmly, strapping her in. ‘We’ll have it another day, but only if you’re a really good girl.’

Daisy continued to pout and squirm, but Peggy took no notice as she strode along the seafront and then up the steep hill towards home. The bomb site where so many had been killed during the last V-2 attack was a dark reminder of how close they’d all come to death on that terrifying night, and the sight of the missing houses at the back of Beach View merely reinforced the fact that luck had most definitely been on their side.

Out of breath from the climb, Peggy pushed through the scullery door and freed Daisy from her restraints before following her, rather reluctantly, up the concrete steps into the kitchen. They must all have heard about the telephone conversation with Anne by now, and she could only hope they knew her well enough not to say anything, for any sign of sympathy would crack through her defences, and she’d be lost.

Everyone but Danuta was home, sitting around the kitchen table and discussing their day as Rita and Sarah dished up the shepherd’s pie. They all looked up and greeted her with smiles as Robert helped her off with her coat, and Cordelia attended to Daisy, but Peggy could see in their eyes that they understood how she felt, and was grateful for their silence on the matter.

‘How lovely and warm it is in here after that cold walk,’ she said. ‘And my goodness, that pie smells delicious.’ She noticed the glow in Rita’s face and assumed she’d had a lovely visit with Peter, and then realised that Ivy was unusually quiet. Surely she couldn’t still be suffering from a hangover? Or had something happened at work today to bring her low? Peggy had heard rumours of the factories closing down, and her heart went out to the girl, for she and Andy were saving hard to get married, and if she had lost her job, it would be an awful blow.

Knowing she’d hear about it all sooner rather than later, Peggy went into her bedroom to change out of her suit into comfortable slacks, slippers and sweater. Her feet were killing her after being in high heels all day, and it was utter bliss to get them off.