Boatmen and passengers — a Chinese assistant manager and a Tamil hospital dresser whom Crabbe had met before, two Malays of occupation undefined — helped Crabbe into the launch, but Vythilingam did not move, did not even seem to see.

He is a status Indian.

Perfectly coiffured and seemingly imperturbable, Setsuko approaches madness as her psychological and sexual insecurities are dredged up by confrontations with her past and mind games with the suspected murderer.

‘Nothing’s the matter, bless you, Master Davy dear!’ she answered, assuming an air of sprightliness.