10
Back at the bungalow, the four ate lunch quickly. The Hyde-Underwoods gave no further hint of surprise at Douglas’s sudden nuptials. Mrs Hyde-Underwood directed polite enquiries to Evie, who kept her responses minimal, wary of giving too much of herself away. In turn, Evie established that the Hyde-Underwoods were both from Yorkshire and Reggie had been in Malaya for eight years, with his wife joining him after three.
When the silent Malay servant had cleared the plates away, Douglas and Reggie left for the estate office to talk business and Mrs Hyde-Underwood led Evie outside.
‘I’m preventing you having your nap.’ Evie apologised.
‘I rarely sleep in the afternoons these days.’ The woman patted her stomach. ‘This little creature makes sure of that. Always very boisterous in the afte
