‘Mmm, I think I was thirteen, and Monty was teasing me and almost had me in tears. You stopped him, not in an angry way, but by making him see that he was causing me distress. Monty walked away, and you put your arm around me and asked if I was all right. From that moment on, I knew I wanted to marry you.’

‘I have always felt a strong attachment to you, but I didn’t imagine you could feel anything for me. When you reached sixteen, I vowed I would tell you, but I chickened out, for fear of your rejection. But you know now, and I am so happy that you love me, too.’

‘Oh, Paulo, if only things were different.’

Paulo pulled her to him. They looked into each other’s eyes. His kiss thrilled Sibbie, and yet lit a sadness in her heart. For their future was so uncertain, and their lives were in such danger, that they didn’t know if they would ever be together as they wished to be.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Singapore

Daisy and Florrie

Daisy hurried down the ward. Most of the men were restless.

‘Sister!’

‘What is it, Captain Vincent?’ She tried to keep her voice steady, although fear pulsated through her. Fear for Florrie; fear for Alex; and fear for these men, not to mention her colleagues and friends.

‘Is this it?’

Daisy didn’t have to ask what he meant. She took his hand. ‘I’m sorry. I – I . . . look, there’s every chance they’ll take you prisoner.’ It was a stupid supposition, which she didn’t believe. The Japanese were so close, and the British were on the verge of surrender. When the island was conquered – and with all the hospital staff gone – these men didn’t stand a chance. The ruthlessness of the Japs was well known. They wouldn’t take as prisoners dying men, or men with missing limbs. And she doubted they’d even take those who were on the mend. Although she couldn’t bear the thought, she knew that the fate of all of these men for whom she’d cared was certain death.

‘We both know that’s not so. Are you all being shipped out? Surely there’s some plan in place?’

Daisy nodded.

‘And no wounded are going?’

Daisy couldn’t speak.

‘Don’t cry, Sister. As many of us as possible have to survive this. You must go. Don’t ever look back with guilt. You are just a small cog, as I am; and these men are part of the greater aim that we’re all fighting for. All that each of us can do is our best, but in the end we have to accept our fate.’

A voice from two beds down shook the feelings of acceptance that Captain Vincent had given her. ‘Don’t leave us, Sister – don’t leave us! No. No! I don’t want to die.’