A few months later, one of the others phoned—they were planning a press conference to tell their side of the story. They’d been mistreated, and wanted the world to know. People thought their confessions had been voluntary, that they were all meek and repentant now. Had she been slapped, kicked, deprived of sleep? The officers weren’t supposed to do that. Would she stand with them? She said she’d think about it, and whenever they called after that, she got Vanda to say she wasn’t in.

In the end, only nine of them put their names to the statement. As Stella had feared, they were rounded up and put back in detention almost right away, along with their lawyer. The government said their actions proved they hadn’t really been rehabilitated, that the Malayan Communist Party, the Ma Gong, were trying once more to gain a foothold amongst the English-educated intelligentsia. The newspapers were agog. Another plot to overthrow the government, so soon after the last one?

Stella and the rest were summoned to Phoenix Park, and ordered to sign a declaration refuting the allegations. Devin was there, grim-faced. He was glad to see them looking so well, he said. “We hope you’ll co-operate with us. We don’t want people to misunderstand. Weren’t you all treated nicely? Free meals from the government! I think some of you even put on weight.”

Stella couldn’t stop thinking about the nine who’d spoken up. It seemed likely they would be held for years this time, not months. She ought to feel pity or guilt, but instead she resented them for putting her in this position. What was she supposed to do? She couldn’t go inside again, she knew that. There was so little left of herself, she couldn’t afford to lose any more. When her turn came, she felt Siew Li’s disapproving eyes on her, but still—not knowing how she would atone for any of this, trying not to think what she was doing—she picked up the pen.

6

Henry

“My father died last night,” says Henry on the phone to Revathi. “Also, Ralph is gone. For good this time, I think.”

“Ralph is an arsehole. I’m sorry about your dad.”

“I should have gone back sooner. I didn’t think he’d…”

“Are you all right?”

“Yes, I think. We weren’t close or anything. Still…”

“How’s your sister doing?”

“Janet? You know, indestructible.”

“Can I do anything?”

Henry lies back on the sofa. “No. I don’t know. Talking helps.”

“When are you going back?”

“Day after. Saunders can take over my classes. I might be gone a while.”

“The funeral?”

“Friday. There’s the whole flat to be cleared out, and probably all sorts of paperwork. I should give myself a bit of time.”

“Sensible.”

“I don’t feel sad enough. It comes and goes in waves, but even at my saddest, it doesn’t seem sufficient. I don’t really feel much of anything. Is that normal?”

“Your boyfriend dumped you and your father died. You’re allowed to be discombobulated.”