‘I’ve saved you seats on the train. Women, children, elderly and disabled. Men will follow later, once we’ve got you all away. Most of us will drive. We don’t want to leave any usable vehicles here for the Japanese. Veronica will be waiting for you at the station in Singapore.’

‘Veronica?’

‘Things are better with her. She’s stopped drinking. Thrown herself into the war effort. But there’s no time to talk. I need to get you on that train.’

Arthur steered her across the concrete, signalling the Hyde-Underwoods to follow. To her relief, Mary Helston and her parents had seen them and worked their way over to join them.

Arthur broke the news that Mr Helston and Reggie would have to travel by road, reassuring them that they would all be reunited in Singapore.

Mary’s face was gaunt and her eyes cold. Evie had never seen her usually smiling friend looking so angry.

Arthur helped the women and children into the carriage. Evie hung back.

‘What about you?’ Evie asked him.

‘Never mind about me – you and the children need to get to Singapore.’

‘What happens then?’

‘Veronica will explain. We’re getting you on a ship out.’

‘But I thought Singapore was safe?’ Evie was alarmed.

‘For now. Can we talk a moment?’ He looked over his shoulder. ‘In private?’

Evie handed the baby to Mary and got down from the train. Arthur was waiting behind a baggage cart piled high with suitcases, waiting to be stood on the train.

‘Three days ago the Repulse and the Prince of Wales were sunk. Our best warships, crucial to defence.’ He looked into her eyes. ‘We’ve well and truly messed this up, Evie.’ Glancing around him to make sure they weren’t overheard he added, ‘I think Singapore will fall too. Intelligence reports say the enemy are already moving down the peninsular. We’ve all assumed they’ll attack by sea but I think they’ll come by land.’

‘But how? They’ll never get through the jungle and the roads aren’t big enough to handle mass troop movements.’

‘That’s what everyone has been saying. But everyone’s wrong.’ His lips stretched tightly. ‘They’re using bicycles. Tens of thousands of bicycles.’

Evie gasped. ‘Whereabouts are they?’

‘A day or two away – at most.’ Taking advantage of the confusion of people, he pulled her into his arms and drew her head against his chest. She heard the steady beat of his heart. ‘We’ve lost Malaya, Evie. The game’s practically over. Our airforce is destroyed, the army’s clogging the roads up as they race back to Singapore. There’s no attempt to try and keep the Japs at bay. I have never been so ashamed in all my life. Look at what’s happening.’ He swept a hand out to indicate the crowds of Europeans pushing their way onto the train. ‘Complete capitulation. Abandonment of the locals. Every white man for himself. And my job is to help make this sorry shameful mess happen.’

‘Will everyone leave Singapore too?’

‘That’s not the plan.’