Acknowledgements

No author works alone, and long before a book is published an army of people have shared their wisdom, told their stories, and given their advice on the history and ordnance behind the scenes of the tales I’ve constructed.

Paul Nash has been tireless in his help regarding the history of the RAF during the Second World War, and has cheerfully guided me from making too many mistakes when I’ve had the wrong aircraft in the wrong time or place!

Jean Relf has generously provided me with the transcript of her father’s diaries and letters to help me understand Jim’s time in Burma.

Many extraordinary women have enthusiastically related their memories of doing their bit during the war, from ambulance drivers, land girls, Wrens, factory girls working in munitions, to drivers and mechanics – I salute them all, and fully understand why these wartime memories are still so very much alive, for it was an exciting and fulfilling time even though they lived in fear of air raids and life was precarious.

Teresa Chris, my agent, has been with me throughout the journey of this series, and I thank her once again for her tremendous support, and unfailing belief in me and what I can achieve.

My editors at Arrow have changed during the nine years of writing this series, and I want to thank them all for their dedication to ensuring that the books are the best they can be – Georgina Hawtrey-Woore – who is sadly no longer with us – Viola Hayden, who was absolutely on my wavelength and knew exactly what I was aiming for. Jenny Geras, who steered me gently through the editing. Last but never least, Emily Griffin, who picked up the reins brilliantly and with great enthusiasm helped me on the last lap of this long journey.

I want to thank Valerie, Oonagh, Ann, Tina, Linda, Amanda and all my other wonderful girlfriends who provided wine, chats and giggles which saw me through the tough times – and to my sons and daughter who’ve been unfailing in their love and support.

And finally to my darling husband who never once let me falter and who is always my most stalwart fan, and best friend. I love you.

Prologue

Burma, August 1945

Second Lieutenant Jim Reilly was stunned. He wasn’t the only one – his best pal Jumbo McTavish, their fellow officers and all the men of the South East Asia Command who were still in Burma were stunned, too. The Americans’ atomic bomb had virtually obliterated the city of Hiroshima, and yet the Japanese High Command were refusing to surrender. When the second bomb erased Nagasaki three days later, it was a long five days before the news came that Japan had finally agreed to surrender unconditionally.

The great joy and relief that greeted this announcement was tempered by the memories of all the comrades that had been left behind in the jungle graves of Burma and throughout the Far East. The cost of winning the war against Japan had been brutally high – not only to life and limb, but to Jim and Jumbo’s peace of mind which would for ever be fractured by what they’d seen and heard throughout the Burma Campaign.