She handed them over and then turned to Sybil who was looking most put out. ‘There’s a few for you too, Mother. Jeremy thought it was only right to ask you formally for my hand, and the others are from Peggy and Cordelia.’

‘Who is this Jeremy? You’ve said very little about him in your letters.’

‘We’ll talk about everything once we’ve done the customs check and collected our luggage,’ said Sarah, giving Jim a grin. ‘Good to see you, Jim. The army and the climate have clearly suited you. Peggy will positively faint when she sees you looking so handsome in that uniform.’

Jim actually blushed beneath his tan and was thankful that the girls didn’t notice as they hurried off towards the customs shed. He glanced at Amah and saw she was trembling, either from her emotions or because she’d been standing without support for too long.

‘I’ll take Amah back to the car and bring it closer to load up the bags,’ he murmured.

Sybil was still fidgeting by the customs house as he drew the car up outside. ‘Who is this Jeremy person?’ she demanded the moment he’d alighted. ‘Jane’s been very secretive about him, and I’m not at all sure I approve of her getting engaged without her father’s permission.’

‘I’ve never met him,’ Jim stuttered, rather reeling from her attack. ‘But Peggy wrote that he’s a very pleasant young man with exciting prospects in Washington.’

Sybil eyed him askance. ‘Washington? As in America?’

‘I believe so.’

Sybil’s eyes narrowed. ‘He’s not an American, is he? Jane hasn’t had her head turned by some Yank on the make?’

‘I seem to remember that his mother is French and his father is English,’ said Jim, somewhat rattled by her continual questions.

‘Well, it’s simply not good enough,’ snapped Sybil. ‘Jane’s too young and can’t possibly know her mind well enough to be getting engaged.’

Jim didn’t like her tone and decided to defend Jane. ‘Correct me if I’m wrong, Mrs Fuller, but wasn’t Sarah engaged to Philip at the same age?’

‘That was different,’ she replied waspishly. ‘Sarah’s sensible. She knows the seriousness of getting engaged – and she had our approval.’

Jim had no answer to this and was relieved to see the girls coming out of the customs shed with a porter carrying their cases. He hurried away to stow the cases in the boot of the car and tip the porter.

‘I get the feeling Mother doesn’t approve of my engagement,’ muttered Jane, lingering at his side.

‘You could have your work cut out to convince her otherwise,’ murmured Jim, slamming the boot shut. ‘Give her time, Jane. She’ll come round, I’m sure.’

Sarah and Jane climbed into the back of the car on either side of Amah and held her hands during the journey back to the bungalow.

‘Oh, my goodness,’ said Sarah as he parked at the kerb. ‘It’s the Bristows’ bungalow.’

‘Elsa has very kindly let us move in with her until we know for certain what has happened to Jock and Philip,’ said Sybil stiffly. ‘Reggie died in Changi prison, but she’s stayed on here to work for RAPWI.’ She climbed out of the car and, without waiting for the others, marched up the path and went in through the front door.