Jim left the office and wandered through the bar which he found had been taken over by a herd of braying military officers who’d become red-faced and loud through the amount of alcohol they were consuming. He found sanctuary back in the Palm Court, thinking of how Elsa was struggling while her senior officer was no doubt getting plastered, and decided he would have a word with his CO and see if he could round up someone to help her.

Returning to the heat and humidity of the streets, he hailed another rickshaw to take him to the hospital, and after enquiring fruitlessly about Jock and Philip, left his name and address with the woman in charge, before going back to his billet.

His first day on the island had certainly been an eye-opener, but at least he’d made a friend – and if things went according to plan, he could very well have eyes and ears in that office and be at the heart of things when the prisoners were brought in.

12

Cliffehaven

Peggy, Danuta and Cordelia had prepared the special supper for Sarah and Jane’s last night at Beach View, and had then sat down with Charlie to listen to the wireless as the scenes in Singapore were described on the early evening news.

They could hear the sounds of hooters and horns in the background, and of people cheering as the Catalinas roared over the vast fleet and into the harbour, so it all felt very real. Peggy was thrilled to think that her Jim was actually there on this historic occasion, and could only hope that he remembered to take lots of photographs. And yet the Japs seemed to be dragging their feet about the whole thing, as this appeared to be just the start of the peace process and it wouldn’t be finalised for another nine days.

She turned to Jane and patted her cheek before once again admiring the gorgeous diamond engagement ring the girl had shown off so excitedly on her arrival home from London. ‘The British will sort things out by the time you reach Singapore,’ she said. ‘And now Jim’s over there, I’m sure he’ll do everything he can to help you.’

‘It’ll be nice to see him again,’ said Jane. ‘Is there anything you’d like us to take to him? It would have to be light and small, I’m afraid. We’ve been restricted in the amount of luggage we can take.’

‘I have, as it happens,’ Peggy replied, reaching for the large brown envelope she’d tucked behind the photographs on the mantelpiece. ‘I’ve written him a long letter and Daisy has drawn him a picture. I’ve enclosed a number of photographs from the past few weeks of weddings and so on as Jim loves seeing pictures of us all – and he’ll adore the ones of Daisy, Rose and Emily all togged up for Rita’s wedding. I’ve added a couple of Doris and John as well, just to prove to him how well Doris looks and how happy she’s become. There’s also letters from Anne, Doreen and Charlie, and I suspect Ron might have something too.’