‘Stop it! I told you. I don’t want to hear this, Arthur. What kind of woman do you think I am? My husband has just died. You’re still married. And I don’t want to hear any more about your bloody wife.’ She took hold of the pram again. ‘Now go. Now!’ and without waiting for an answer she moved away, walking at speed from him, without looking back.

To her relief he didn’t attempt to follow her. She felt herself shaking as she pushed the pram. The baby began to wail, perhaps sensing his mother’s distress. Her legs were like jelly, so she stopped and sat down on a bench, taking her baby into her arms to comfort him.

Why was life so damn hard? What would Douglas feel? His best friend declaring his love to his widow, just a day after he was buried.

The truth was her anger was with herself even though it was directed at Arthur. She was consumed with guilt. Yes, she missed Douglas. Yes, she grieved his death. She wanted him to be here for his children. She wished he hadn’t died. Yet what Arthur had said was true. She loved him body and soul and yes, yes, yes, she knew they were meant to be together.

The rain began. A typical Malayan shower, arriving without warning and often ending just as quickly. It started with light drops that refreshed the oppressive air, before rapidly turning into a torrent, splashing up and soaking her legs as she sat on the bench. She put Hugh back in the pram, pulling the canopy up to protect him, then set off walking rapidly towards the temple. Evie always enjoyed tropical rain. It was so different from the rain in England. It was steamy and often the sun arrived before the shower finished, evaporating the water so any cooling effect was short-lived. But as she hurried along, the sky was dark and the rain unrelenting. Evie looked upwards, letting the water cascade down her face, washing away her tears. Upwards to heaven. Was Doug there? Watching her? She felt an overpowering need to talk to the monk.

The rain stopped just as she entered the square of the Temple of Harmony. Leaving the pram outside, she picked up Hugh and went into the building. It took a while for her eyes to adjust to the gloom. At first she thought the space was empty, jumping when she heard the soft voice behind her.

‘You have brought your child. A beautiful baby. I am very happy for you.’

‘Thank you,’ she said to the monk. ‘He’s seven months old and I’ve been meaning to bring him here to meet you for some time. His name is Hugh.’

The monk studied her face. ‘You have great fortune and yet I see you are still unhappy. Would you like to talk?’

Evie nodded, intensely grateful for the man’s perception. Just being in his presence had a calming effect upon her. She followed him into the anteroom where they had taken tea before.