Page 70 of Sisters Under The Rising Sun

‘I don’t need your preaching!’ Sonia screams at Margaret. ‘Where is your God? He’s not here, that’s for sure. Why don’t you go and save someone who wants to be saved.’ She lets go of Margaret, and once again, her eyes fall to the mud around her sodden feet.

‘I’m sorry, my dear. That’s not what I’m trying to do, I don’t want you looking up to find some higher power, some God. I want you just to see the sky, the tops of the trees, the birds. Soon, the clouds will be gone, and the sun will come out. There is more than the mud and squalor beneath your feet.’

The woman looks up as the rain peters out. At that moment, the clouds part and the sun streams down. From the nearby trees, a flock of birds launch themselves over the camp, whooping loudly. Sonia smiles, then her tears begin to fall. Margaret carefully takes the women into her arms.

‘It is beautiful,’ she sobs. ‘I’ve always loved being outside. The jungle around our home in Malacca was magnificent. My husband … my husband … we …’

‘I know … I know, but this beauty is still all around us, we just have to look up.’

Sonia spies Sister Catherina in the street and extricates herself from Margaret’s arms and rushes over to the nun.

‘Sister! Sister, look up, look up at the sky. Isn’t it beautiful?’

Margaret watches as Sister Catherina raises her eyes, sees the smile come to her lips, and the two women embrace.

Norah takes Margaret’s arm and they continue along the road.

‘Can I borrow that?’ Norah asks.

‘Borrow what?’

‘Your “look up”. I think those two little words might just be what makes a difference around here. Thank you.’

‘Why are you thanking me?’

‘For showing us another way to live, to endure, to get through these blasted days. You have given so much to all of us, and you keep on giving; how do we ever repay you?’

‘Dear Norah, nobody here owes me anything. You and your sister, along with so many others, bring music and, for a while anyway, we can escape this camp. That’s just as valuable as any spiritual message I might bring.’

Norah nods. She knows Margaret is sincere but wonders if music and spiritual nourishment will be enough.

Part 2

Deep in the Jungle

Chapter 15

Camp III

October 1943–October 1944

Mrs Hinch walks slowly out of Sergeant Kato’s office. Her shoulders droop as she heads back to her house. Norah watches her come inside.

‘Mrs Hinch, what is it? Has something happened?’

‘I’ve just had a meeting with Kato; he’s told me to get the women ready. We’re moving camp.’

‘Oh no! Not again. Do you know when?’

‘He wants the nurses and the first three houses on both sides of the street to get ready to in a hour today. The rest of us are leaving tomorrow morning. I know we’re all tired and hungry, but we need to start gathering our things. Norah, can you tell Nesta? I’ll go and tell the other houses and then everyone else.’

‘I need to find Ena and June too, and tell the nurses,’ says Norah. ‘Oh God, not this again!’

‘Don’t forget to pack.’

‘Pack what? We only have the clothes on our backs.’

Jean answers Norah’s knock at the door and ushers her in.