‘I did, and she just said she was happy the war’s over, that Peter seems to be recovering, and her dad will soon be home. It was a bit hurtful really, ’cos we’re best friends, and I tell ’er everything.’

‘Well, she’s due back any minute after seeing Peter at the Memorial, so you may be able to satisfy your curiosity then. But don’t push it, Ivy,’ Peggy warned gently. ‘If there’s more to tell, she’ll do so when she’s ready.’

Ivy nodded, but Peggy suspected that the girl’s insatiable nosiness would not be curbed by any warning from her, and she wouldn’t be satisfied until she knew what was going on with Rita. But there was enough happening today without adding to the emotional stress and she could only hope Ivy and Rita wouldn’t fall out.

She returned to peeling the vegetables, the sound of laughter coming from across the hall where Sarah, Danuta and Cissy were being more hampered than helped by Daisy and Cordelia as they decorated the dining room for this very special occasion. It was fortunate that the joint of beef Robert had bought was enormous, for there would be twenty of them around the table to ensure that Fran and he would have a really splendid send-off.

Peggy didn’t want to dwell on the thought that this would be Fran’s last night under her roof, so she turned her attention back to Ivy. ‘I’m so glad Gloria could give you a few hours.’

‘I were lucky,’ Ivy said, ‘’cos she’d decided just that day to open the upstairs rooms to guests again and needed a chambermaid, and a waitress for breakfast. She reckons the holiday season will soon get going, so she’s roped poor Andy into painting all the rooms and putting down fresh lino in his off-duty time. He offered to do it for free ’cos she’s been so good to him, but she wouldn’t hear of it, and is paying him really well for his efforts.’

‘Well, I’m delighted for you,’ said Peggy warmly. ‘But being a chambermaid is hard work, Ivy. Guests can get very fussy over the slightest speck of dust, even if their own homes don’t come up to the mark, as I know from the experience of running this place.’

Ivy shrugged. ‘I’m used to ’ard work, Auntie Peg, and with Gloria’s money, the tips and the bonus I got from the factory, me and Andy will have a deposit on a place in no time.’

Peggy carried on dealing with the vegetables, trying not to think about the house slowly emptying, and was saved by the sound of the late afternoon post clattering through the letter box.

‘Go and get that, dear, would you? My hands are wet.’