The Barringtons steered clear of the many fund-raising parties organised on behalf of war charities by the Patriotic Fund. With a small baby, Evie had no desire to venture out and Douglas was scathing about the wasteful nature of such efforts, with more money spent on alcohol and petrol by the attendees than could possibly have been generated in donations or ticket sales. Evie mentioned this to Mary, who told her that the Chinese were far more effective in raising money for the war effort and did so without recourse to partying.

Mary Helston rarely spoke about her friendship with Frank Hyde-Underwood and Evie knew better than to press her on it, taking satisfaction from the fact that it was evidently flourishing. The RAF officer was not often on the island however, being frequently required to be in Singapore for exercises, and his flying duties involved reconnaissance flights all over the peninsula.

Motherhood was proving an unexpected joy to Evie. The baby was placid and a good sleeper. Comparing notes with Susan Hyde-Underwood, when the latter dropped in to see her, bringing baby Stanford, made Evie realise she had been blessed with an exceptionally tranquil child. Susan’s son was anything but, and judging by the heavy lids and dark circles around her eyes, she was suffering from lack of sleep as a consequence.

Jasmine had taken to her baby brother and, without a trace of sibling jealousy, mothered Hugh and lavished affection upon him. It was a close contest between Jasmine and Aunty Mimi as to who would make a greater fuss over the baby. The little Chinese housekeeper took it upon herself to act as Hugh’s amah and informed Evie that it had once been her role with Jasmine, making it clear that she would tolerate no one new being taken into the household to undertake such duties. As Evie had had no such intention she was more than willing to accept this extension to the housekeeper’s duties.

All in all, it was a happy time for Evie, yet deep inside her there was still a hollow ache at the absence of Arthur Leighton in her life. She knew what she felt for him was both wrong and pointless but it didn’t stop her feeling it. If anything, his absence made her feel more strongly about him. She would castigate herself for disloyalty. Why were her husband and two children not enough? Guilt gnawed away at her insides, though she had no reason to feel guilty since, apart from that kiss in the sea, nothing had happened between them. She almost wished she had something more to feel guilty about – at least she’d have a memory to treasure and relive. Then she blamed herself for thinking that too.

Douglas, for his part, once Evie had forgiven his affair, behaved as if it had never happened at all. There was no repetition of his declaration of his need for her and love for her. He remained taciturn and often morose and showed no romance and little affection. She wondered whether he saw love-making as just another sport – something to be enjoyed like any other physical activity. Eventually, Evie accepted that this was how he was and nothing would change that. He was one of a generation of men who believed that overt displays of affection were sentimental and unmanly. He had told her once that he cared for her. For him that was enough – he evidently believed that, once said, there was no need to keep repeating it.