‘It’s right up in the Malayan jungle and too far from Singapore, Aunt Cordelia. We need to be at the centre of things for when the prisoners are released, so we have little choice but to stay in Singapore. Perhaps, later when we know …’

She saw that her hand trembled as she held the glass and quickly put it down. ‘I can’t begin to imagine how we’ll find two men among the thousands that will be coming in, and can only pray that the Japs kept some sort of record of those they held.’

‘With the British in charge again, things will soon be brought into order,’ said Cordelia with all the certainty of someone steeped in British pride. ‘I’m sure that if you tell them who you’re looking for, they’ll do their utmost to find them.’

Sarah found it hard to have faith in that, for with the chaos of so many prisoners pouring into Singapore, it would be like searching for a needle in a haystack. However, she didn’t want to upset Cordelia by voicing this doubt, for none of them really knew anything, and why destroy the hope she’d clung to for so long?

‘It seems everything is up in the air at the moment,’ said Peggy. ‘I got a telegram from Jim the other day, warning me he wouldn’t be home for Christmas. I have no idea why, and as there was no letter from him in the post today, I’ll just have to wait to find out.’

‘Oh, Peggy, I’m so sorry to hear that,’ sighed Sarah. ‘I know how much you were looking forward to having him home. But perhaps he’s being sent to Singapore as part of this new British takeover?’

Peggy sniffed and got to her feet. ‘Yes, well, we can’t all have what we want, Sarah, and, Singapore or not, it seems the army has more need of him than I, so I’ll just have to lump it.’ She filled the kettle and placed it firmly on the hob. ‘Tea anyone?’

Sarah shook her head. ‘Thanks, but not for me, I’m off to bed. I have work in the morning.’ She kissed both women goodnight, gathered up her purchases and slowly went up the stairs to her bedroom.

Closing the door behind her, she leaned against it for a moment, dropping her shopping to the floor, and then sank onto the single bed. Contemplating the photographs of her family, she gave a deep sigh. She was dreading the journey, and what she might find in Singapore. But the die had been cast and only fate would determine the outcome.

Peggy poured the boiling water over the tea leaves, knowing the weak brew wouldn’t really revive her, but she needed the comfort of a cup of tea, no matter how tasteless, to soothe her troubled spirits before she went to bed.

‘I wonder if she’s heard from Delaney again,’ she said, waiting for the tea to steep.

‘Not since he wrote saying he was in one piece and back in America,’ said Cordelia, taking off her glasses and rubbing her eyes. ‘And I doubt she will again as she told me she was quite firm about breaking things off with him.’