Jim had had to ask his CO’s permission to take some leave so he could drive the Fullers into Malaya, and because the man knew the tragic story of Jock and Philip, he’d been most understanding and helpful. He’d agreed to Jim borrowing one of the large staff cars, and even managed to find a willing army padre to travel with them and conduct the ceremony. A local funeral director had been called upon to do the embalming and provide a hearse which would go with them out of Singapore into the Malay jungle.

Jim had packed the boot with enough food and water to get them through the short time they’d planned to be away. He arrived at the bungalow very early that November morning to find a large car parked outside, and to be greeted solemnly by Jeremy. They introduced themselves and shook hands, and Jim wondered how long the other man would last in the dark suit, collar and sober tie, for the heat was already rising.

‘I hired a car because I thought it might be too much of a squash with so many of us,’ Jeremy explained, easing his collar with a finger.

‘A good idea,’ Jim murmured. ‘From what I understand it’ll be a long drive and take most of the day.’ He peered into the shadows of the hall. ‘Are they ready?’

‘As ready as they’ll ever be,’ said Jeremy. ‘I’ll go and tell them you’re here.’

Jim carried the cases out to the staff car and nodded to the Indian driver of the hearse which had just pulled up. The coffin, he noticed, was almost hidden by a vast spray of palm leaves and colourful tropical flowers, and the two headstones rested against its sides.

Sybil came out first, dressed entirely in black, followed by Jane in a navy dress, Sarah in grey, and Amah in her white mourning sari. They kissed and hugged a rather tearful Elsa, who would be staying behind to finish her vital work with RAPWI, and then, with a sad, lingering look at the waiting hearse, climbed silently into the two cars.

Jim settled Amah in the back with Sarah while Sybil sat bolt upright in the front. Jeremy and Jane were accompanied by the army padre in the hired car, and they set off in convoy behind the hearse.

Sarah held Amah’s hand and wondered what the others were thinking as they made the long journey out of Singapore and along the winding road that cut through the jungle and eventually led to the rubber plantation. The last time they’d been this way was with Pops, and Sarah could vividly remember how jam-packed it had been with everyone fleeing from the advancing enemy.

The Japanese fighter planes had come in low, strafing the road with machine-gun fire, killing indiscriminately as the masses of terrified people raced into the trees and deep ditches to try to escape the deadly onslaught. So many had been killed during that flight to what they thought would be the safety of Singapore, and for one terrifying moment she’d thought her heavily pregnant mother had been one of them. But she and Amah had been safely hidden beneath a fallen tree, emerging only when Jock assured them the danger was over.