Evie’s heart lurched. He was here.

Arthur’s voice was urgent. ‘Look I don’t have long so I want to make sure you do exactly as I tell you. Reggie knows the drill. You all need to get down to George Town. We’re getting everyone onto the ferries and then on trains to Singapore.’

‘Singapore? But–’

‘No buts. Just do it. No time to spare. We have to get you to safety. The clock’s ticking.’

Evie was numb. ‘I need to let Aunty Mimi and Benny know. They’re still in the house in George Town.’

‘Europeans only.’ Arthur’s voice was clipped, and she could detect the anger underneath it.

‘I can’t leave them! Aunty Mimi’s husband, our cook, has been killed. It happened in the street. The Japanese were machine-gunning people from the planes. I can’t abandon my servants here with the enemy coming.’

‘Orders. I have no say. The decision has been taken that it’s Europeans only. It’s come from the top. From Duff Cooper himself. The local population will have to fend for themselves. It stinks but I can’t do anything about it. I have to go, Evie. Hurry up. I’ll keep a look out for you. But don’t waste time looking for me at the port. Just get the hell out of here. Do as the officials tell you. You’ll all be safe in Singapore.’

By the time they got to the quayside that night the queues for the ferries were long. Amidst the crowds, Evie caught sight of Benny and called out to him. He was heading away from the port. ‘Where are you going, Benny? Where’s Aunty Mimi?’

‘I go back to house. They say can evacuate me because in Volunteers but can’t bring wife and children. Also Aunty Mimi and Boy. So I must stay. Can’t leave them behind. Only Europeans go.’

Evie felt a rush of anger. It was appalling. ‘That’s a disgrace!’

‘Volunteers can leave but no wives and children. So no one go. Can’t leave families behind.’ He shook his head, his face lined with anger.

It was unjust. Disloyal. Not only had men like Benny joined the defence volunteers in good faith but they had served the European population dutifully for decades. Now they were to be abandoned, left behind to the mercy of the Japanese.

Before she could say any more, Evie was swept up in the crowd around her and moved forward in the crush as the next ferry docked. She looked back as the mass of white humanity pushed her forward, and saw Benny walking away from the quayside. What would Doug have said? He had employed Benny since he came to Penang – and his uncle before him. Aunty Mimi too. They were part of the fabric of the Barrington household and because of the sweep of a pen in Singapore, they and others like them were to be left to their fate.

When the ferry landed in Butterworth, she spotted Mary with her mother and father in the crowd. Before she could push her way through to them, Arthur Leighton appeared at her side.