They had been on reconnaissance and, as the only officer available at the time, he’d been seconded from his usual duties to accompany them. The native village had been hidden deep in the jungle, and he and his men had approached it warily, for the Japs were known to be in the area and often used villages like this to spring a trap. But all looked quiet and undisturbed, the small, brown-skinned men and women going about their daily tasks as their children splashed and played in the nearby river.

There had been a whispered debate over whether they should quietly circle around the village and head for battalion headquarters, which were still two days’ trek away, or stop awhile to eat and rest. They’d been patrolling this jungle for over two weeks and everyone was suffering from the damp heat, the plaguing mosquito bites, torrential downpours and cold, tasteless rations.

The consensus was that the natives hated the Japs as much as they did and would welcome them with open arms – but there was also the very real danger they would bring to the village if they were discovered there. The Japs had no compunction against killing women and children, and taking the men to use as slaves.

He’d listened to the arguments going back and forth and felt uneasy about putting those gentle people at risk just because his men were tired and in need of decent tucker. He was about to order everyone to back off and take the long route back to headquarters when a small boy emerged from the surrounding jungle and began to chatter excitedly at him.

He and his men were soon surrounded by eager children, wary warriors carrying spears and curious women who smiled shyly as they put their graceful hands together and bowed their heads in welcome. His doubts as to the wisdom of what they were doing still nagged at him, but it seemed he was in a minority of one, so when the little boy put his hand in his, he let him lead him into the village.

He could see it in his dream – and could hear little Hakim’s piping voice so clearly it was as if he’d been there hours before, not several years ago. The thatched longhouse was at the centre of the village, for this was where everyone ate and slept. Built high on thick poles to avoid flooding from the river, the only access to the single room was a bamboo ladder. Neat reed shutters covered the many windows, and intricate carvings decorated both sides of the doors.

He and his men were made welcome with bowls of fish and rice that the women brought from the campfire as their menfolk tried to communicate with hand signals and role play and their children tinkered with brass uniform buttons and watches, shrieking in delight as they touched the bristled chins and whiskers of these strange-looking foreigners.