‘Is that what he told you?’

Evie felt herself reddening. ‘Well not in so many words. The main reason is Jasmine.’

‘I see.’

‘Look, Arthur, is there something you’re not telling me?’

‘No! Not at all.’ He spoke quickly. ‘I was just wondering though, why he didn’t leave Jasmine at the convent school in Butterworth as a day-girl. It’s less than twenty miles from Batu Lembah. You could all have been under one roof.’

Evie didn’t know what to say. Why was she feeling the need to defend her husband’s inexplicable behaviour? She took a gulp of gin too quickly and began to cough.

Arthur leaned forward. ’Forgive me, Evie. I shouldn’t be speculating. I’m sure Doug has his reasons – or rather you both do – it’s none of my concern… Only…’

‘Only what?’

His voice was low. ’It’s just that I’ve become very fond of you and I can see you’re unhappy and that pains me.’

‘Unhappy? I can’t imagine why you should say that.’ She tried to sound indignant, but knew she just sounded lost.

Arthur leaned towards her again and this time took her hand. ‘I wish I could help you. I wish…’ He looked at her and she saw something different in his eyes.

She turned away, uncertain where this was leading and suddenly nervous.

Perhaps Arthur was similarly affected, as he dropped her hand, got up, and said, ‘Remember, Evie, I’m always here for you. Any time you’re in trouble I’ll be here. Please, don’t hesitate to call me.’ Then he turned and went inside. On the threshold he looked back to say, ‘Thanks for the scotch. I needed that.’ A few moments later, she heard the front door close behind him.

Swigging down the remains of her gin, she got up, went inside and mixed herself another one. She craved oblivion tonight. A need to wash away the memory of Douglas and herself on the floor of that hut. A need to wipe out the knowledge that he didn’t care a fig for her and she knew he never would.

It was only as she was climbing into bed, her head whirling from the copious amount of gin she had drunk, that Evie thought again of Arthur Leighton and remembered the surprise she had felt when he took her hand. The look in his eyes at that moment had scared her. It had been so intense. If she didn’t know that Arthur was devoted to Veronica and if Douglas hadn’t made her only too aware how unattractive she herself was, she would have sworn that he had looked at her with longing. Pushing the thought from her head as being preposterous and surely a product of her inebriation, Evie curled into a tight ball and fell immediately asleep.

It was just over three weeks before Evie saw Douglas again. She was glad of the long time, as it had dulled the pain a little.

Instead of arriving at the weekend he turned up mid-week and told her that the following evening they would be entertaining guests for dinner.