Arthur nodded. ‘I can’t argue with that, Doug.’

‘Maybe you need to start drumming it into the heads of your bosses.’

‘I do my best. The fundamental problem is that my lot and the military are at loggerheads. We understand the country. They think they understand war.’ Arthur pushed away his plate. ‘They’re so bloody over-confident. They think the peninsular’s impregnable and consider the Japanese inferior combatants. I just hope they won’t live to regret those massive assumptions.’

Veronica gave another groan. ‘For pity’s sake, will you two stop droning on about politics. This is meant to be a birthday party!’

As she spoke, the maitre d’ announced over the microphone that the resident orchestra would not be performing as it was judged inappropriate in the light of the events of the day. There was not so much as a murmur of disapproval, apart from Veronica, who confined her protest to a rolling of the eyes, then said, ‘It’s ludicrous to be cancelling things when there’s not yet been a shot fired.’

Arthur spoke, his voice chilly. ‘Hitler’s invaded Poland. Isn’t that reason enough for you, Veronica?’

‘That was actually a couple of days ago.’ She had a petulant expression on her face.

‘Chamberlain had to wait for the French.’ Arthur blotted his mouth with his napkin, then laid it beside his plate. ‘And I dare say he was doing everything possible to avoid war.’

‘Appeasing the Hun more like.’ Doug appeared to be still out of sorts.

‘Please forgive me but I’m going to skip the pudding,’ said Arthur. ‘I have to get to the office before nine as there’s a call coming in from Singapore. The Chief Minister has been meeting with the military chiefs. He’s going to give us a debriefing.’ He got up from the table. ‘Sorry, old chap. Not a great end to your birthday. If I take the car, will you be able to drop Veronica off?’ Then he was gone.

Evie felt a mixture of relief that Arthur had left, with a contradictory sense of loss. She glanced across at Veronica, who was occupied with the champagne, tipping her husband’s untouched drink into her glass.

‘Waste not want not!’ Veronica declared. ‘They’ll soon be telling us we’ve all got to be thrifty, so I’d better do my bit for the cause.’

Douglas got up from the table. ‘Excuse me, ladies. I’ll be back in a few minutes. I need to talk to someone over there. I won’t have a pudding either, so go ahead and order yours without me.’ He moved away to the other side of the dining room to a table where two couples were drinking coffee and smoking. Evie saw him bending to talk to them and felt excluded and abandoned.

When she turned back, she realised Veronica was studying her.

‘You’re wearing that charming mauve frock again.’

Irritated, Evie said, ‘Douglas likes it.’

Eyebrows raised in disbelief, Veronica didn’t comment further. Instead she changed the subject. ‘I hear you were at the swimming club the other day.’