Page 64 of Sisters Under The Rising Sun

The night before the event, Nesta and Jean call all the nurses together.

‘We have a dilemma; I know you have all heard that many of the women, and the English women in particular, want to come to our remembrance tomorrow,’ Nesta begins. ‘I know this is something we planned on doing privately, but Jean and I have been talking and we think it would be unfair to not include the women and children who were with us on theVyner Brooke.What do you all think?’

‘I say that’s a good idea,’ says Vivian.

‘We’ll allow in anyone who wants to attend. And after everyone’s gone, we’ll have our own very private remembrance. Agreed?’

Without exception, all the nurses agree it is the best, the safest, way to remember.

On the day itself, the nurses’ house is full. The windows are thrown open as many more women stand outside. Several of the Dutch nuns have brought with them the candles last seen on Christmas Day. Margaret and Mother Laurentia lead everyone in prayer before inviting anyone who wants to speak. Ena talks briefly on behalf of herself, Norah, John and little June. Others from theVyner Brookeremember family and friends who are no longer with them. As the evening wears on, Margaret speaks on behalf of all the women and children who, while not on board theVyner Brookeon that fateful day, made their way to the camp by boat and overland. No matter how they arrived, what matters is that they are all here now, together.

Finally, when everyone has said what they wanted to say, the event draws to a close. Goodbyes and hugs are exchanged.

‘Well done, girls, I’m so proud of you,’ Nesta says to the nurses. She notices how tired they look, but there is still plenty they need to express.

With the windows now securely shut, they sit in a circle, each one holding hands with those either side.

‘Bully, thank you for your courage in talking to us now,’ Nesta adds warmly.

As Vivian recalls her time in the water, of scrambling onto the beach and reuniting with friends and colleagues, every nurse is crying softly. When she repeats the words of Matron Drummond as they walked into the surf, louder sobbing breaks out, but Vivian doesn’t falter.

‘I came ashore when it got dark and now I’m here with you.’ It’s no surprise that there’s a tremble in Vivian’s voice. Nesta is amazed she has got through the whole terrible episode in one go.

She scrambles over to Vivian and hugs her tightly, giving her the permission to join the rest of them in letting her tears flow.

Nesta waits until the nurses are cried out, before asking if anyone would like to share a story of one no longer with them.

It is late when the last story is told. The tears now come from laughter at the antics of their fallen friends’ adventures in Malaya and Singapore.

The women finally drag themselves away to their makeshift beds, exhausted, but each one hugging Vivian before they settle down.

‘I’m hungry, Aunty Norah, can you get me another banana?’ June pleads.

‘I know, my darling; I promise we’ll try to get you some more food this evening. You should sleep now.’

‘She should be playing outside but she’s too weak,’ Ena says, the concern in her voice evident as she gently strokes June’s hair.

‘She doesn’t understand how only a few weeks ago we had plenty, well, just enough, and now we don’t.’

‘She can have my ration tonight; I don’t need it,’ Ena says.

‘How about we each give her half our ration; we need a little something if we’re to keep going, for her sake.’

Across the street, Nesta is discussing the same issue with Jean.

‘I can’t believe we’re back to where we started in the first camp; there’s just not enough food to get by.’

‘I know what you mean, I thought Gho Leng would go on forever, but he’s gone.’

‘We should have known he can only get hold of seasonal food. We’ll just have to wait until the fruit ripens. In the meantime, I’m getting worried about some of the young nurses. Look at them, they’re wasting away and they’re in the prime of their lives.’

‘Vivian told me she caught a couple of them taking their rations to the hospital to give to the patients.’

‘That doesn’t surprise me. I’m humbled by them every day, dragging themselves on home visits and to the hospital, but I don’t know how we can help them, when everyone’s in the same boat,’ Nesta says.

At that moment, the front door swings open, and a young nurse enters.

‘Nesta, can I talk to you a moment?’