‘Doubt it would have known it was happening. They’re fast, pythons. They attack by ambush and before the prey knows it, they’ve been wrapped in the coils and death’s pretty instant. Heart failure, a zoologist chap once told me.’ He shouted something to the men and they kicked the carcass away and turned back to the task of clearing.

‘Why did they kill it then?’

‘Provides a few minute’s entertainment. Breaks up the day.’ He shrugged. ‘Better get back to the Mem. She’ll not be happy if I return you late for tiffin.’

10

Back at the bungalow, the four ate lunch quickly. The Hyde-Underwoods gave no further hint of surprise at Douglas’s sudden nuptials. Mrs Hyde-Underwood directed polite enquiries to Evie, who kept her responses minimal, wary of giving too much of herself away. In turn, Evie established that the Hyde-Underwoods were both from Yorkshire and Reggie had been in Malaya for eight years, with his wife joining him after three.

When the silent Malay servant had cleared the plates away, Douglas and Reggie left for the estate office to talk business and Mrs Hyde-Underwood led Evie outside.

‘I’m preventing you having your nap.’ Evie apologised.

‘I rarely sleep in the afternoons these days.’ The woman patted her stomach. ‘This little creature makes sure of that. Always very boisterous in the afternoon. I usually sit in the shade on the veranda and try to read or sew. And it’s nice to have company. We’re very isolated up here and these days we don’t often get into town.’

They walked to the rear of the bungalow, into a kitchen garden with vegetables growing in orderly rows.

‘The kebun is glad my pregnancy is forcing me to take things easier. He’s been less than happy to have the mem muscling in on his territory.’

Evie realised she was referring to the gardener and made a mental note to add the word kebun to her small but growing Malay vocabulary.

‘I’ve always loved gardening and there’s so little to occupy one up here, but all the bending over is a bit of a problem!’ She flashed a smile at Evie. ‘Do you enjoy gardening, Mrs Barrington?’

‘I’m ashamed to say I’ve never actually tried it. I grew up in London in one of those big town houses in a square with only a communal garden and more recently…’ Her voice trailed away. She didn’t want to reveal her former employment was as a lady’s companion. ‘I lived in a house with a gardener who resented anyone helping. And I wouldn’t have known where to start anyway.’

‘Exactly. Just as I said. They’re all the same these gardeners.’ Susan Hyde-Underwood wiped a hand across her brow, pushing her light brown hair away from her eyes. ‘And I must admit gardening in the tropical heat isn’t exactly fun.’ She placed her hands on her stomach. ‘In fact expecting a baby in this heat is also a bit of a trial.’

‘But it’s so much cooler up here than in George Town.’