Page 45 of Sisters Under The Rising Sun

‘I mean, look at this stuff.’ A volunteer holds up dozens of scraps of paper covered with hastily scrawled articles, book reviews, puzzles, stories for children and recipes.

Another volunteer is reading, ‘“One Hundred Ways to Cook Rice”. It says one hundred ways, but she’s only written three!’

The article sparks a conversation about food and the editors revive happy memories of mealtimes, of Christmas dinners and Sunday lunches. And, in a strange way, once they start talking about food, they can’t seem to stop, despite the ever-present gnawing hunger in their stomachs.

But it is Betty, the editor compilingMiss Know-All’s Diary, who receives the most submissions.

‘Well, the Japanese aren’t going to let us put this in the paper.’ Betty is reading an account of one survivor’s journey to the camp. ‘We’re going to have to get creative.’ She has a little twinkle in her eye. ‘We’re going to have tohelpthe reader to read between the lines,’ she says. ‘I never thought I’d want to run a newspaper, but this is really fun.’

‘It’s weird to say it,’ chimes in Jean, ‘but over the last few weeks, things have really changed around here.’

‘I feel it too,’ agrees Betty. ‘I mean, our only problem is going to be finding paper.’

‘Oh, we’ve found loads of scraps in the rubbish thrown out at the back of the admin building,’ Jean tells her.

‘So we’ve got a paper and a theatre company and a choir now,’ Betty says. ‘I mean, can you believe we’ve had to move The Shed to our house because it’s not big enough for the audience?’

Jean points to the piano in the corner of their living area. ‘And there’s that too.’

The nurses are excited, busily preparing for their performances. What had started off as just one concert has increased to more, as both performers and audience find so much to enjoy in the musical shows. Nesta watches their growing enthusiasm for the concerts and a shadow crosses her face.

‘Girls, can you all give me a minute?’

All eyes turn to her.

‘What Margaret, Norah, Ena and others have given us is, without question, a great gift. We’ve been able to forget where we are and really enjoy ourselves, but I’m worried we’re getting carried away. We mustn’t ever forget we are here at the mercy of the Japanese, who have shown us, time and time again, they control every aspect of our lives. So far, they’ve let the concerts go on, but you have to remember that all this can change in an instant.’

‘What Nesta is saying, and I agree with her entirely, is be wary of our captors, let’s not give them any reason to shut us down,’ Jean adds.

‘I don’t want to be a party-pooper, I just want you to be safe.Now, go and enjoy yourselves,’ Nesta says with a big smile.

‘Have you seen how many are out there?’ Norah is breathless. ‘It’s our biggest crowd yet, so we are all going to have to sing really loud to be heard outside.’

‘Well, that’s what we’re good at,’ Ena tells her with a wink.

The Saturday night concert is a great success and their largest yet, featuring the choir, a glee club, dancers, comedy turns and recitals. The house is buzzing inside and out, and those unlucky enough not to have found space inside join in the singing from the street.

‘What an evening!’ Margaret announces when it’s over. ‘I haven’t laughed this much in such a long time, and I know you all feel the same way. I want to thank these wonderful performers who have entertained us tonight, and I want to thank you for coming and being part of this special evening. We will all remember it for as long as we live. I think it is fitting we end the evening singing “God Save the King”, “Land of Hope and Glory” and the national anthem of Holland.’

The applause is long and heartfelt as each of the anthems is bellowed into the balmy night air.

When all the last notes have faded, a silence lingers in the crowd. And then the women stomp their feet, clap their hands, and turn to embrace the woman next to them. They will remember this night forever.

‘Be my life short or long,’ Nesta whispers to herself. ‘Just please don’t let it be short.’

Chapter 9

Camp II, Irenelaan, Palembang

April 1942–October 1943

‘You have made such a difference in the camp; you know that, don’t you?’ Nesta tells Norah.

‘I hope so,’ Norah agrees. ‘I’ve been eavesdropping on the camp as they practise “The Captives’ Hymn”; it’s wonderful.’

Norah has spent the past week hunting down scrap paper to produce copies of both the musical score and lyrics, which she has happily distributed to the women.

‘Norah, I spoke to the nurses a couple of days ago about the concerts.’