Page 54 of Sisters Under The Rising Sun

But no one calls back to them.

Chapter 12

Camp II, Irenelaan, Palembang

April 1942–October 1943

‘It’s Christmas! It’s Christmas!’ June squeals, waking not only Ena and Norah but all the women in their house.

‘Yes, it is, dear girl,’ Ena says, giving her a big hug, ‘and look what we’ve got for you.’

Ena and Norah hand her a small gift. June is delighted with the doll Norah fashioned from a rice sack, with a big lipstick smile painted on its face. It is wearing the pretty lace dress she pains­takingly stitched together. Christmas is all about the gifts for a five-year-old.

Ena watches Norah wipe away a tear and quietly whispers, ‘My darling sister, Sally is safe. She is waiting for you, and John. I know it.’

Norah turns away, sniffing, remembering.

‘Mummy, Daddy, he’s been, Santa’s been, look what he left me,’ Sally calls out to Norah and John who are making their way down the stairs on Christmas morning.

‘Merry Christmas, Sally. What have you got there?’ Norah asks, gathering her daughter in her arms as John folds them into a hug.

‘It’s a doll and a doll’s house and a pram for her. It’s so beautiful.’

‘Not half as beautiful as you are, my darling. Merry Christmas,’ John says.

Turning back to Ena, Norah buries herself in her sister’s arms.

‘Merry Christmas, Ena,’ she whispers. ‘I am so blessed to have you here with me, even though I wish you weren’t, that you were right now with Ken, that we were all together.’

‘We will be, hopefully this time next year.’

Several of the others approach June, bearing small gifts. As they are being handed over, Margaret intervenes.

‘Plenty of time for that later, June. Right now, it is time we all get ready and head over to morning service. Come on now.’

As the women turn away, duly chastened, Margaret approaches June.

‘Merry Christmas, sweet girl, you bring so much joy to our lives, thank you,’ she says, handing her a beautifully made lace handkerchief.

June wraps her arms around her. ‘Thank you, Aunty Margaret. Merry Christmas!’

Nesta and her nurses have skipped the morning Christmas service to begin cooking, working creatively with the extra rations the local guards have supplied. But preparations are paused when they are called into the street by the guards.

‘Come outside. Please, ladies, come outside.’

The nurses join the other women cautiously exiting their homes. About a dozen guards stand in the middle of the street holding large baskets full of food. They note that a couple of them contain plucked chickens and slabs of beef.

One of the guards attempts an explanation.

‘This from the English men.’

‘What do you mean, English men?’ Norah calls.

‘English men in the other camp sent to you. They asked their guards to send food to the women nearby.’

With that, all the guards place the baskets on the ground and step back.

The women slowly approach the offering.