She looked up at his face and read in his eyes that while it might not be the plan it was the likely reality. The unthinkable was happening. Malaya, part of the crown jewels of the British Empire, would soon be a Japanese territory.

‘I have to go, my darling. I don’t know when I’ll see you again. But whatever happens, I want you to know that everything I said before is still true. I love you utterly and completely. If we make it through this war I promise you, my dearest love, I will find a way to be with you, to marry you.’

Evie swallowed. A shiver ran through her body. ‘I’m sorry how I behaved the last time we met.’ She met his eyes. ‘And you need to know, I love you too. I always have, even when I tried to pretend I didn’t.’

He held her face between his hands and looked into her eyes. Evie felt as if the world had stopped. Fearful of what lay ahead, she asked, ’But why won’t I see you in Singapore? Where are you going?’

‘I’m staying behind. I’ve been training in jungle warfare at the Singapore 101 Special Training school. Too little too late, but we’ll do the best we can.’

Evie thought she was going to stop breathing. ‘What are you talking about, Arthur?’

‘It was set up in July. They’ve been training military and civilians – policemen and planters, locals too. We’re going to be in small teams, working behind the Japanese lines. But we’ve left it too late for an effective plan. We just have to do the best we can.’

He looked away. But Evie didn’t need to hear the words to know what the implications were. Douglas was dead, Aunty Mimi’s husband and Frank were and it was probable Arthur would be killed too.

A tear rolled down her cheek. Arthur took his thumb and wiped it away. Bending towards her, he kissed her softly on the mouth. ‘Stay safe, Evie. I love you.’ He left without a backward glance, melting into the throng of people.

29

The train journey to Singapore passed in a blur. The carriages were packed, people sitting or standing in the corridors, and Evie sent up a silent prayer of thanks that Arthur had been able to secure seats for them. As well as Mary Helston and her mother, Susan Hyde-Underwood and Stanford, four other women and two schoolboys shared the cramped space.

Evie forbade herself from feeling any discontent, knowing that she and all the other passengers had walked out on the servants, shopkeepers, policemen, gardeners, estate workers, teachers and students that made up the non-European population. These people loathed and feared the Japanese as much as the whites did. Aunty Mimi had witnessed her husband being gunned down in the street. The old lady had loved and cared for Jasmine and her baby brother. Years of faithful service, of trust and loyalty, betrayed. Evie felt an acute sense of shame. She looked over at Mary, who was sitting in silence gazing into the darkness beyond the window. Most of Mary’s teaching colleagues were Malays. How must she feel, knowing that they had been let down? And Benny, who had served with the Volunteers, recruited by Douglas and an enthusiastic member, assiduous in attending drills and exercises. Benny had a wife and four small children. What would become of them?