Mrs Rogers managed the unusual feat of appearing both approachable and formidable – the kind of woman who commanded respect, didn’t suffer fools, but was perennially cheerful. In her late fifties, she had a matronly figure of the sort Evie’s father used to describe as well-upholstered. Her eyes twinkled with what looked like wry amusement – probably at Veronica’s expense. Evie liked her at once.

‘Do you and Mr Rogers live here in George Town?’

‘I wish we did. No, we’re down in KL.’

‘KL?’

Veronica’s laugh trilled. ‘Really, Evie! Kuala Lumpur.’ She nudged Mrs Rogers conspiratorially. ‘Evie’s been here for weeks but you’d never know it.’ As an afterthought, she added, ‘Dear girl that she is,’ and beamed at Evie like a proud parent. ‘I’ve tried to take her under my wing, but she will insist on doing things her own way.’

Bristling, Evie tried not to let her feelings show. ‘What’s KL like, Mrs Rogers?’

‘Do call me Dorothy.’ The woman gave her a friendly smile. ‘I love it. Not as nice as Penang though. I loved living here in George Town after the war years. Clifford worked his way up the ladder with Guthrie’s and we brought up five children in Malaya. I’m glad all that constant moving from estate to estate is behind us. Our next move will be back to England when he retires.’ She glanced towards her husband who was deep in conversation with Arthur Leighton. ‘In the meantime, Clifford still does a lot of travelling including to London once a year to meet with the board and deliver his annual report.’ She squeezed Evie’s arm. ‘And I go with him, which is such fun as three of our children are living back there. All married. I do love to see the grandchildren.’

Evidently bored by the turn the conversation had taken, Veronica moved to join the men who were gathered in a group. She linked arms with Douglas and Reggie Hyde-Underwood and in a teasing tone said, ‘So, Dougie, when are you and Evie going to follow in Reggie’s footsteps and pop out a son and heir to the Barrington fortune?’

Evie wanted to slap her. Douglas had a face like thunder and Reggie chuckled in embarrassment.

‘Really, Veronica, you are a card. Have you no shame!’ Dorothy Rogers tried to make light of the moment. ‘Poor Doug doesn’t want to be quizzed like that! They’ve only been married five minutes.’

Evie glanced at Arthur and saw he was frowning, cringing even. Veronica appeared unperturbed.

Past caring what Veronica thought of her, Evie said, ‘I could ask the same of you and Arthur, Veronica.’

They were saved from hearing Veronica’s response by the announcement from Aunty Mimi that dinner was served. The party moved into the dining room. Veronica threw Evie a look that would have frozen boiling water.

Evie had arranged the seating, placing herself between Arthur Leighton and Clifford Rogers, opposite Reggie, who was between the two other women. Douglas sat at the head of the table, with Clifford on one side of him and Veronica on the other. Evie hadn’t consulted her husband about the seating plan but had assumed he would want to talk to the Guthrie’s boss. Placing Veronica on his other side was a deliberate ploy. She knew Douglas would have preferred one of the other men, but it was now likely the conversation would be between Douglas, Reggie and Clifford, cutting Veronica off and leaving Evie free to talk to Arthur and Dorothy Rogers at the other end of the table. She felt slightly ashamed that she had been so calculating, but it was no more than Veronica deserved.