Page 120 of Sisters Under The Rising Sun

‘Of course, anything, if we can.’

‘Can you get word to the Australian Army that you have located their nurses?’

The official looks long and hard at Nesta. ‘You’re a nurse?’

‘With the Australian Army.’

‘We will contact them immediately.’

Two days later, three men in military uniform walk into the camp. They are tall, fit, young, and two of them are wearing berets bearing the Australian military badge.

Vivian bursts into the nurses’ hut.

‘The Aussies are here! Oh, my God, the Aussies are here!’

Before anyone can react, two young paratroopers come through the door. Time stands still as the men take in the gaunt, broken bodies of the women.

‘Are you the nurses?’ one asks, unable to keep the shock from his voice.

Nesta steps forwards. ‘Yes, sir. We are nurses of the Australian Army. I’m Sister James.’

‘Sisters. I’m Bates and this is Gillam. Are you … are you all right?’

‘We are now that you’re here. Are you really Aussies?’

‘We are and our priority is to get you out of here. There are a lot of people back home wanting to know if you’re still alive.’

‘We are, but barely,’ Jean tells them, ‘and we have lost many. Are there just the two of you?’

‘Three of us actually; we’re here with Major Jacobs from the South African paratroopers – he’s gone to find the Japanese administration office.’

All eyes have been on the officer who is speaking, Bates, and no one notices, at first, that Gillam is breathing heavily, clenching his fists, his right hand resting on the revolver at his hip.

‘Sarge! Look at these women!’ he suddenly explodes.

‘It’s OK, Gillam. We’re here now, we’ve got them.’

Before anyone can respond, Gillam runs from the hut. ‘I’m going to kill them!’ he yells.

The nurses, led by Bates, follow him outside. Gillam has his revolver drawn and is running towards a Japanese soldier. Gillam pounces on him, knocking him to the ground, before yanking him to his feet and marching him towards two other soldiers he has spied.

Bates asks Nesta where the Japanese administration office is, and then bolts from the hut. He bursts in on Captain Seki, who, with Ah Fat’s help, is talking with Major Jacobs.

‘Sir, the Australian nurses,’ Bates announces. ‘We’ve found them, but they’re a bloody mess. And Gillam has lost it, sir. He’s threatening to shoot every soldier. You’d better come quick; he’ll bloody well do it.’

Jacobs runs from the hut with Bates. They head towards a large crowd that is silently watching Gillam marching up and down a line of Japanese soldiers he has just rounded up. They stand with their backs against the barbed-wire fence while Gillam shouts and swears in their petrified faces. He is still waving his revolver. Major Jacobs slowly approaches.

‘Gillam, Gillam, listen to me, son,’ he says quietly. ‘Don’t do this. Now is not the time. They will be punished, but not by you. Put your gun away, there’s a good chap.’

Gillam looks at his senior office, and back at the guards.

‘Sergeant, I’m telling you to lower your weapon.’

Slowly, Gillam holsters his gun.

‘I just hate their guts,’ he tells the soldiers.

Bates turns to Nesta.