In mid January 1941, when Hugh was around six months old and she had begun to wean him, Evie decided she needed some distraction, and suggested to Douglas that they host a small dinner party the following Friday evening.

‘If you must,’ he said, ungraciously.

‘I’m thinking of you too.’

This elicited only a grunt.

‘Who shall I ask?’

He shrugged. ‘Whoever you please. It’s all the same to me.’

‘I was thinking of the Rogers, but I understand they’re in Batavia.’

Another shrug.

‘For heaven’s sake, Doug. Try and show a bit of interest.’

‘It’s your department. Whoever you invite is fine by me.’

Controlling her irritation, she said, ‘In that case, I’ll ask Mary and the Hyde-Underwoods and I’ll tell them to bring Reggie’s brother. He seems to have taken quite a shine to Mary.’

‘Good.’

‘I mean you get on well with Reggie, and Frank seems a very affable fellow–’

‘Look, Evie, I’ve told you, it’s fine by me. I’ll be home in plenty of time.’ Softening, he added, ‘I suppose it does give me an opportunity to discuss Reggie’s proposal for a new rolling machine. Saves me a trip up to Bellavista.’

‘I’ll tell Susan to bring Stanford with them – he can be put in the cot in Hugh’s nursery.’

She asked herself why Douglas always had to be so grumpy but at least he had accepted the plan without further objection. He got on well with Reggie and although he had only met Frank briefly, he appeared to find him tolerable. So, it was a surprise to Evie when on the appointed evening, their guests had already assembled and Doug had yet to put in an appearance. He had promised to be in George Town by six and now at seven he was still missing.

Trying to hide her irritation, Evie escorted the guests onto the terrace outside the drawing room, where Benny was waiting to serve them with drinks. If Hugh were to wake and she had to attend to him, there would be nobody to entertain their guests. She had tried several times to telephone the bungalow at Batu Lembah but there was no reply, so Douglas was presumably on his way. She glanced at her wristwatch, telling herself that it was only a small gathering – and of friends who knew Doug’s quirks and so would understand. It was unlikely they’d be offended.

The conversation began, as usual, with discussion of the distant war. Tonight they were talking about the situation in North Africa where the British and Australians were tackling the Italian army and Regia Aeronautica.

Changing the subject, Evie turned her attention to Frank. ‘How are you finding life in Malaya?’ Not so long ago, that question had been frequently asked of her.

‘I feel bad that I’m sitting the war out over here while most of the RAF are giving the Luftwaffe a good thumping. It’s tough finding out how many of the chaps I learned to fly with went for a Burton during the Battle of Britain.’ He glanced at Mary. ‘But there are definite compensations to being here in Malaya.’ It was clear that the young officer was besotted.