To her relief, the dinner passed without incident and Evie took quiet satisfaction in the sour expression on Veronica’s face as her repeated attempts to steer the talk in another direction failed, against the constant discussion of rubber price movements, fluctuating market demand and the restrictive quotas imposed by the rubber industry association.

At the other end of the table, the conversation between herself, Dorothy, and Arthur was about music, books, and life in Penang. Dorothy Rogers urged Evie to visit the swimming club and the picture house and the beaches at nearby Batu Ferringhi.

Since the Rogers were travelling up to northern Kedah on the mainland the following morning, the party broke up early, and Evie stood beside Douglas on the doorstep as their guests left. Veronica took Arthur’s arm and draped it around herself as if to signal ownership. She gave Evie a sour look, before replacing it with a joyless smile. ‘Well done, darling!’ she said to Evie in a voice that oozed insincerity, clearly not pleased at the way she’d been marooned at the other end of the table.

When they’d gone, Evie felt relieved that she’d got through this test without mishap. She’d not tripped or stumbled and had spilled no gravy – a triumph in itself! ‘I think that went well. Don’t you?’

Douglas grunted.

‘I hope you got what you wanted from it.’

Another grunt.

‘Well, I’m going to turn in.’ She moved towards the staircase.

He reached for her wrist and drew her back. ‘Let’s have another drink first.’

Evie hesitated, before deciding there was no point in delaying the inevitable. Better to get on with the news that she was leaving him and going back to England. She followed Doug into the drawing room and watched while he poured a brandy for himself, shaking her head when he offered her a drink.

Perched on the edge of the sofa, she watched as he slugged down the brandy and poured himself another, then took off his jacket and flung it carelessly on a chair.

He stood, leaning against the wall, looking at her, but saying nothing. His tie was undone, his dark hair unruly, where he had pushed his hands through it. She felt an unexpected rush of desire for him, seeing him there like that, slightly dishevelled, his forehead damp with sweat. But it was no good. They couldn’t go on like this, ricocheting back and forth while she had no idea what he was thinking or how he was going to behave. Never knowing whether he was angry with her. Even tonight, she had no idea whether she’d said or done something wrong during the evening. Was he about to tell her he wanted to end their marriage?

She decided she had to take the initiative. Taking a gulp of air, she said, ‘This isn’t working out. It’s time we admitted it. I can see you’re not happy about tonight. And I can’t handle your swings of mood any more. I’m going to go back to England. If you’ll pay for my trip home that will be the end of the matter. I don’t want anything more from you.’ She raised her palms towards him, wishing she’d accepted the offered drink. Convinced he wasn’t even going to dignify her with a reply, she started to get up. She might as well go to bed and try to tackle him again in the morning. At least he’d be sober then.