The other members of the household were lined up waiting to greet her. Benny first introduced a woman – evidently the housekeeper – as ‘Aunty’ Mimi. A tiny Chinese woman, thin and fragile in appearance, Aunty Mimi had short black hair, streaked with grey and was elderly but evidently still agile. Another Chinese, a smiling toothless man, was introduced as ‘Cookie’. Evie guessed they were married to each other, but was afraid to ask and no one enlightened her. Finally, there was a young Malay man, who was introduced merely as The Boy and evidently considered unworthy of the dignity of a name.

Benny said, ‘Only Aunty Mimi and me speak English. You soon learn speak Malay, Mem. Also two kebuns to work in garden.

Overwhelmed, the prospect of ever speaking even basic Malay felt beyond Evie. She was exhausted. Perhaps once she’d freshened up and had a sleep, things would be less daunting.

Aunty Mimi led Evie upstairs into another darkened room. Opening one shutter she showed her a large rear garden, where the sunlight was filtered by a collection of tall trees. Evie could hear the tinkling of water but couldn’t see its source. Around an expansive lawn was a vibrant display of colourful flowers that lifted her spirits a little.

A large low bed stood in the centre of the room, draped with mosquito nets. Something else to get used to. There was a ceiling fan above the bed, but it was motionless. Aunty Mimi pointed to the bathroom beyond, where, as well as a ’thunder box’ raised up on a shallow platform like a throne, there was a bath tub and a separate shower area, with a tall Shanghai jar, filled with water to flush the toilet and dip into for cold showers. Fresh towels were laid out on a wooden table beside a dish of soap. Someone had placed a hibiscus flower on top of the towels. Smiling at this touch, Evie noticed a huge centipede scuttling across the floor and shuddered.

The woman placed her palms together and bowed solemnly over her hands, then turned to leave.

‘Wait a moment! When do you expect Mr Barrington to come home?’

Aunty Mimi shook her head. ‘Tuan not come here many time. He live in other place.’

‘Do you know when I will go to this other place?’

The old lady with the smallest movement of her head indicated it was a question she couldn’t answer. ‘Benny bring up bags. When you ready I make tea.’ With that, she left the room.

Torn between the need for a cup of tea, a good sleep – and possibly a good cry – Evie chose to have a shower first. She stepped out of her damp cotton frock, rolled down her stockings – she certainly wasn’t going to be wearing stockings again, unless she absolutely had to – and peeled off her soaking wet underwear. Pouring the cool water over her hot skin was a shock, but also a blessed relief, and the soap was scented with what she thought was jasmine. When she’d finished her ablutions, she returned to the bedroom, noticing her suitcase and holdall had been placed on top of the wardrobe and, while she’d been taking her shower, someone, presumably Aunty Mimi, had unpacked her clothes and put them away.