Although she thought Sarah was rather rushing into things, Sybil was thrilled that there would be a double wedding, and began to make huge plans with the staff at Raffles for the small but very elegant reception which would follow the service at St Andrew’s Cathedral. Yet in all her excitement – and to the girls’ amusement – she still made sure that Delaney returned to Raffles each night, and Jeremy continued to sleep on the couch in the sitting room.

It was two weeks before Christmas and the sisters’ wedding day. Jeremy had gone to stay with Delaney at Raffles the previous night, and Sybil had been up and about since dawn to make a special breakfast for her girls before she and Elsa dashed into town to get their hair done and collect the bouquets and buttonholes. As neither man knew anyone in Singapore, Jim and Jumbo had been roped in as best men, and Sybil would break tradition and lead her girls down the aisle. The bridal dresses had been made by an Indian dressmaker that Elsa had recommended for his speed and skill, and they’d been delivered the evening before.

‘I’ve got butterflies,’ said Jane as Sarah fastened the long row of tiny buttons down the back of her simple white lace gown.

‘Me too,’ admitted Sarah. ‘But they’re happy ones.’ She stepped back. ‘There, all done. Jeremy’s going to have fun dealing with them tonight. But don’t you look lovely?’ she said, admiring her sister’s reflection in the long mirror.

Jane reached for her hand and they stood there for a moment regarding themselves in some awe. They’d both decided not to wear veils, but had coronets of flowers in their hair, and there were pearls in their ears and round their necks.

‘I can’t really believe this is happening,’ said Sarah breathlessly as she ran her fingers down the white silk dress edged with gold embroidery. ‘It didn’t seem so long ago that I was dreading the future – and now …’ She grinned. ‘Now I can’t wait for it.’

Jane picked up the two glasses of champagne she’d poured earlier. ‘Let’s drink to Pops, and to poor Philip,’ she said quietly. ‘They might not be here, but I’m absolutely certain they’re watching over us today.’

They clinked glasses and drank, the poignant moment broken by Sybil coming in with their bouquets and bursting into tears.

‘Oh my darlings,’ she sobbed. ‘How beautiful you are. I never imagined that my little girls could turn into such lovely young women. Your father would have been so proud.’

She crushed them to her and then quickly pulled away with a shaky laugh to repair her make-up. ‘Goodness,’ she breathed. ‘I look an absolute fright. Now, we must hurry. Elsa’s gone on ahead, and the car is outside. As the cathedral is in the middle of the city we mustn’t risk being delayed by the awful traffic.’

St Andrew’s Cathedral was indeed in the heart of the city, but was surrounded by a quiet oasis of parkland which deadened the noise of the busy streets. The gracious white building had survived the war, and as the car drew up at the steps, they could see the sun shining on the columns over the entranceway and glinting in the stained-glass windows.