Page 52 of Sisters Under The Rising Sun

‘Like what?’ Jean asks.

Norah watches the nurses, smiling at their love for their leader. As their first Christmas approaches – plans for a concert are already afoot – it is agreed by all that every woman and child should receive a small present. Those who arrived with suitcases of useless possessions such as formal ball gowns hand them over to make dresses. Silk handkerchiefs are destined to become treasured gifts. Norah and Ena have a special plan for June.

‘When we were living in Malaya,’ Betty continues, ‘while most of us went to the beach on our days off, Nesta spent her time with some of the patients and doctors, playing mahjong. What if we make her a set of mahjong tiles?’

‘I like the idea of it, but how can we do that – we don’t have anything to cut it with,’ Vivian observes.

‘We have kitchen knives, don’t we. And this wood is quite soft; it was one of the rafters which must have fallen off a roof. A while ago, I found two old metal files. We can use them to smooth the tiles and I’m sure the Dutch nuns would lend us some paints from the schoolroom to paint the characters.’

‘Do you know what the characters look like?’

‘Of course I do. What d’you say?’

‘I say, let’s do it,’ Vivian replies enthusiastically and to Betty’s relief. ‘We’ll set up a roster for the work, but we must keep it a secret. I think we should surprise her.’

Rehearsals for the Christmas concert take place every day, but one morning, a session is interrupted when several of the Dutch women internees burst through the door.

‘English men … English men at the back of our house,’ one of the women announces.

‘What are you talking about?’ Norah asks as the singers gather around.

‘They were speaking English! We saw them walking through the trees behind our house.’

‘Please take us there now,’ Norah says, as they all move towards the door, and together they head towards the houses where the Dutch women are living and into the first one. Through the front door, living room, kitchen and out into the backyard they stream.

‘We’re here! We’re here and we’re English! Is there anyone there?’ Norah shouts.

They peer through the dense jungle that buffets the back gardens. They can’t see a soul.

Suddenly, a loud cockney voice.

‘Same time tomorrow, lassies.’

Urgent, angry Japanese voices follow, and the women hurry back inside.

Word of the encounter spreads quickly and everyone descends on the Dutch house. The women are abuzz with speculation, until Mrs Hinch, in her quiet but firm manner, moves to the front of the crowd and holds up her hands.

‘Ladies, ladies, please. We can’t all talk at once. Why don’t we let those who were there tell us what happened?’

The first Dutch woman, not used to being the centre of attention, uncomfortable with her command of English, steps up to the front.

‘I was outside and heard something in the trees. I thought it might be an animal and was about to run inside when I heard a voice, a man speaking in English, and then another man said something back to him. I got closer and through the trees I saw lots of men with shovels. Japanese men yelling at them. They walked right behind our house, then back into the jungle. That’s when I ran and told Norah.’

‘What happened next?’ Mrs Hinch asks.

‘I can answer that,’ Margaret says, stepping forwards. ‘I wasn’t the first one there; I’m sure you can all appreciate I can’t run as fast as the young ones. I didn’t see anyone, but we called out to them and one of them called back.’

‘What did he say?’ yells a voice.

‘He said,Same time tomorrow,lassies,’ Norah relays. ‘We should come back tomorrow, see if we can talk to them.’

‘Well,’ begins Margaret, a note of caution in her voice, ‘I know you will all want to be here, but I must warn you, these men are guarded by Japanese soldiers, and we don’t want to put their lives at risk.’

‘Well, maybe no more than five or six women? I hope we’ll be able to share a few quiet words with the men as they pass,’ Mrs Hinch suggests.

‘And who is going to decide who they should be?’ another voice calls out.

‘I will,’ Mrs Hinch says with an authority the others know not to challenge. ‘I promise if we are able to make contact with them you will all know immediately. You’re welcome to come back and wait out front.’