Page 56 of Sisters Under The Rising Sun

As the doors to The Shed closed behind them after the concert, the women sang ‘Auld Lang Syne’as they walked home. Soon, they heard the same song being sung inside each house, behind closed doors.

‘I would have loved to join in but didn’t want to wake June,’ says Norah.

‘We’ll sing it again and again.’

‘Do you remember the New Year’s Eve party in Singapore the first year after John and I married?’

‘How could I forget? The friends, the food, the champagne; it was a spectacular night. We were all so happy, weren’t we? And Father kept making Mother dance with him even when he was worn out.’

‘That’s because Mother loved to dance.’

‘Ken and I were still getting to know each other. He proposed just a few weeks later.’

‘What I do remember is that you never let him go all night.’

‘And I remember you panicking when midnight struck, and John had gone to get a drink or something, and you were so worried he wouldn’t get back in time to kiss you as the clock struck midnight.’

‘I know. All I could see were Ken’s arms around you, Father’s around Mother, and when the clock chimed twelve, I was standing on my own.’

‘Not for long, you weren’t. After Ken kissed me, I turned around and the two of you were in each other’s arms.’

‘It was a wonderful night.’

‘And we’ll have more of them, just not this year. It seems silly to say Happy New Year given our circumstances, but Happy New Year, my darling sister.’

‘Happy New Year, Ena,’ says Norah. But her warm memories fade with sleep and her dreams are filled with soldiers wielding bayonets running after her.

Chapter 13

Camp II, Irenelaan, Palembang

April 1942–October 1943

‘What now?’ Nesta is indignant that Miachi has once again commanded an audience for an announcement.

‘Maybe he’s leaving and wants to say goodbye,’ Vivian says hopefully, as she and the other nurses make their way onto the street.

‘Don’t wish away Miachi, girls – better the devil you know and all that,’ Nesta tells them.

The street is filling up as women stand in small groups in front of their homes. Nesta sees Norah and Ena and wanders over.

‘Any idea what today’s announcement is about?’ Nesta asks them.

‘Nope. Rumours are Miachi is unhappy with the sloppy attitude of the local guards, something about them spending too much time staring at the younger women in skimpy clothes,’ Ena says.

‘Well, if so, then that applies to me. We’ve got no clothes other than the ones we make, and it’s so hot anyway.’

‘I think it’s those wearing bra tops and short shorts he’s referring to,’ Norah adds.

Margaret approaches the women. ‘Everyone is genuinely scared the Japanese soldiers will be back. I didn’t know what to tell them,’ she says.

‘That’s an awful idea. All that fear and intimidation, the guns being pointed at us for no reason.’

‘Oh, here he comes,’ Nesta says, spying Miachi with Ah Fat in tow, exiting the administration block. She hurries across the street to join the other nurses.

The women hear Miachi ranting before they see him. He walks down the street, barking orders, Ah Fat running along beside him.

Miachi’s instructions are translated and repeated by Ah Fat as the two men pass along the street.