Page 42 of Sisters Under The Rising Sun

‘As camp commandant, it’s time we appointed a deputy,’ Dr McDowell announces to the women gathered in the camp’s central clearing. ‘I’m too busy with the hospital to do it all alone, I need help.’

‘Mrs Hinch!’ a voice calls from the crowd.

‘Yes, Mrs Hinch,’ cries another, and then another, and soon all the women are chanting Mrs Hinch’s name.

‘I think you’ve chosen well,’ Dr McDowell says. ‘She’s the very picture of diplomacy, and charming to boot.’

A laugh ripples through the crowd.

‘I’d be honoured to accept,’ says Mrs Hinch graciously.

‘What is it about her that’s so different to the other English ladies?’ Nesta wonders aloud to Jean on their way back to their hut. ‘She’s very funny, and …’ Nesta drifts off, admiring the woman’s confidence, her dignity in the face of their squalor.

‘Well, she’s not English for one thing,’ Jean laughs.

‘What do you mean? She’s not an Ozzie!’

‘She’s American, Nesta. She’s married to an Englishman and has spent many years in Singapore surrounded by the English. She’s actually got an OBE, believe it or not, for her YWCA work. She may have adopted a little of the English accent but not the stiffness of the people.’

‘How do you know this?’

‘I’ve had tea with her a few times when I’ve been treating one of the ladies in her house.’

Nesta shakes her head and smiles. ‘She’s definitely not someone I’d like to reckon with! It’s good to know she’s on our side. I wonder what her first name is?’

Jean laughs again. ‘Even if I did know it, I’d never have the courage to use it unless she gave me permission – can you imagine?’

Nesta laughs too, and the two women feel buoyed, just for a moment, by the presence of two forthright and capable people for camp commandant and deputy.

‘I must say,’ Norah says to Ena one afternoon, on their way, with little June, to Mrs Hinch’s house for a committee meeting, ‘she’s a real powerhouse, isn’t she?’

‘I’ll say.’

As soon as Mrs Hinch was appointed, she began organising committees and assigning captains at every house in order to address the everyday running of the camp. There was comfort in being busy, of staking out a little bit of order in an environment that was otherwise out of one’s control.

‘She’s got us all on work rotas and now the nuns will run classes for the children. I don’t know where she gets her energy.’

When they reach the house, they find it full of chatter and high spirits.

‘Her energy is infectious, isn’t it?’ says Ena.

‘It’s already rubbing off on me,’ remarks Norah, giving Ena a pinch. ‘You too, dear sister, I can see it in your face.’

‘I need a volunteer for the entertainment committee,’ Mrs Hinch says, calling the meeting to order.

‘I’ll do it,’ Margaret offers.

‘I think you should be chief organiser,’ says Norah and everyone agrees.

Many of the women in the camp who don’t visit Margaret’s church service share her passion for singing. Norah and Ena have been regular churchgoers and have two of the finest singing voices of all the internees. And what none of the women counted on was the day-to-day boredom that accompanies the drudgery in the camp. What better than to use their talents? So Mrs Hinch, in her typically straightforward way, has decided an entertainment committee should be organised.

‘Well, what would we all like to do?’ Margaret asks the women.

Suggestions come thick and fast, from choirs to concerts.

‘I love all your ideas and, depending on how long we are here, we should be able to satisfy everyone. However, can I suggest we start with something completely different, something that won’t require rehearsal time but some participation from you all nonetheless?’

‘What do you suggest?’ Norah asks.