Jim was reminded of the Sutherland seaplanes that had delivered men, medical equipment, stores and machinery to remote rivers and waterways throughout Burma. The pilots had shown great bravery in landing in a war zone. Many of them hadn’t made it, and he wondered fleetingly if this pilot had seen action.

The seaplane cruised to the dock and as the engines died, the propellers slowed to a stop, and the pilot climbed out with his navigator to shake the hands of his passengers who were now emerging down the steps and onto the quay.

‘Sarah! Jane!’ called Sybil, breaking into an awkward run along the pier towards them, her high heels in danger of sinking into the cracks between the planks.

‘Mother!’ the girls shrieked back in unison before scrambling out of the orderly line and running towards her. They crushed her to them, kissing her cheeks, knocking her hat askew and all of them talking at once in their excitement.

‘It’s so wonderful to see you again,’ said Sarah. ‘Did you bring James?’

‘You haven’t changed a bit, Mummy,’ breathed Jane. ‘You’re still as gorgeous as ever. Have you any news of Pops or Philip? Where are you staying? And have you bumped into Jim Reilly yet?’

Sybil laughed, straightened her hat and then cupped her precious girls’ faces in her hands. ‘I’ve left James in Australia with Granny and Grandpa. There’s no news of your father, or of Philip, and yes, I’ve met Jim. But I have a wonderful surprise for you both. Look who’s here.’ She stepped back and gently drew Amah forward.

Both girls gasped, clearly shocked by her appearance despite the new clothes.

Jane was the first to break the silence. ‘Oh, Amah,’ she said with tears in her eyes as she carefully embraced her. ‘I’m so glad you’re all right.’

‘So am I,’ said Sarah, hugging her in turn. ‘We were so grateful to you for risking your life to send Mother the note about Pops and Philip. There really aren’t words enough to express how much that meant to us.’

‘To see you both looking so well is all the thanks I need,’ said Amah, taking their hands to kiss them. ‘My goodness, you are grown into fine young women – and is that an engagement ring on your finger, Jane?’

‘Indeed it is,’ she replied, ignoring her mother’s sharp gaze. ‘Jeremy asked me to marry him just before we left England. But I’ll tell you all about him later.’

She looked away from Amah and grinned at Jim who was standing awkwardly a few feet away. ‘Hello, Jim. My word, we’re all a long way from Cliffehaven, aren’t we?’

He took off his peaked uniform cap, stuffed it under his arm and shook her hand, not really knowing how to greet this self-composed young woman who bore little resemblance to the Jane he remembered.

‘We certainly are,’ he replied. ‘How is the old place? Still standing?’

‘It’s a bit battered, but your Peggy has lots of plans to make it look better for when you get back,’ she said, digging into her bag. ‘I’ve got a stack of letters for you.’