Benny was on duty dispensing drinks and handed her a gin and bitters. Evie took the drink, feeling awkward again. How was it possible that in just thirty seconds her confidence could plummet thanks to the moodiness of the man she’d married? She sat down. If there was going to be a conversation, he could damn well initiate it. Otherwise, she’d sit here in silence.

A moment later, Reggie Hyde-Underwood was shown in by Aunty Mimi, full of delight about his new son, who, he told Evie, was to be called Stanford after the child’s maternal grandfather. Evie glanced sideways at Douglas, but he had turned away and was adjusting his cuff links.

‘And your wife?’

‘Splendid, thank you, Mrs Barrington. The old girl came through it all with flying colours. They say she and the baby should be able to come home after a few more days’ rest.’

Douglas had moved over to the sideboard to instruct Benny, needlessly, on Reggie’s drink. It was clear to Evie that his manager’s evident joy in fatherhood was riling him. To her relief, the Leightons and the Rogers all arrived at the same time and the party, served with their ‘stiffeners’, moved into the garden, where scented torches were burning to stave off the mosquitos. The ghostly glow lit up the flowering trees and gave an ethereal magic to the scene. It had been raining earlier in the evening and the air was full of the soft perfume of rain-drenched flowers and the citron smell from the torches.

Evie’s battered confidence returned when she saw the admiring look in Arthur Leighton’s eyes.

‘Evie, you look stunning tonight,’ he said, before being called over by Douglas to join the group of men. She felt a small thrill of pleasure at the compliment, starved as she was of any appreciation by her husband.

‘Nice frock.’ Veronica looked Evie’s gown up and down. ‘Didn’t I see it in the window of that shop just off Marine Drive?’ She shook her head and wagged a finger. ‘You didn’t take my advice and go to see Mr Ramanathan?’

‘I’m afraid I was pushed for time.’

‘Silly girl! He could have run you up something in a couple of hours. Then there’d be no risk of running into someone else wearing the same thing.’ Her tone dripped disdain. ‘You do know that shop is always at least a season behind? Mr Ramanathan could have made you a gown straight out of the latest issue of Vogue magazine. The man’s a genius.’ She raised an eyebrow. ‘Aren’t I right, Dorothy?’ Mrs Rogers was slightly behind her. ‘I’m telling our hostess about the skills of Mr Ramanathan.’

Ignoring Veronica, Dorothy Rogers moved forward to greet Evie and introduce herself. Mrs Rogers gave her a warm smile. Evie was determined not to let Veronica Leighton get under her skin any more. Her decision to leave Douglas and Penang bolstered her confidence. Yes, despite her nerves, she was going to enjoy herself this evening. It was a pity neither Susan Hyde-Underwood nor Mary Helston were here, but she would make sure to be as charming as possible to Dorothy Rogers, whom she sensed was less than enamoured of Veronica.