Page 73 of Sisters Under The Rising Sun
Norah and Audrey scavenge the entire length of the camp and beyond. They discover several badly dented cans that once held kerosene. Putting them aside, they break up branches, measuring them across the length of their shoulders. From nearby palm trees, they tug away large strips from the fronds to make ropes. Sitting under a tree, resting from the exhaustion of their efforts in the tropical heat, they admire their results.
‘So, the plan is to fill the kerosene tins with the sludge and then tie them onto each end of the branch so we can carry them away on our shoulders?’ Audrey says.
‘I think that should work, shouldn’t it?’
‘Well, it should. Only one problem – how do we fill the tins?’
‘Mmm, we can’t use the pots we have, they’re needed to cook and carry water. We’ll have to come up with something else.’
They sit for a little while, thinking, enjoying the respite from the heat and the work.
‘I know, what are we sitting beneath?’ Audrey says, breaking into a huge grin.
Norah looks up at the coconuts hanging above their heads. ‘You’re brilliant. Of course. Now all we need to do is get them off the tree, cut them in half and we’re set.’
‘Can we sit for just a little longer? I’m wilting from the heat.’
‘I have an idea. You stay here, I’ll be right back.’
It isn’t long before Norah returns with Jack, a young boy teetering at the edge of adolescence. He is excited and runs beside her.
‘Hello, Jack, what’s she roped you into?’ says Audrey.
‘It’s all right, she asked me mum and she said I could help,’ Jack explains.
‘I take it she’s sending you up the tree to get us some coconuts.’
‘Yeah, that’s what she said. That’s right, isn’t it?’ He turns to Norah.
‘It is. Come on, I’ll give you a leg-up.’
‘I’ll help,’ Audrey says, cupping her hands together for Jack to step into them.
Jack looks at Audrey before turning back to Norah. ‘I’m bigger than she is.’
Norah laughs. ‘Yes, yes you are. Sorry, Aud, it’s not your fault you never had a growth spurt. I’ll do this.’
‘Hey, my parents were on the small size; what chance did I have?’
Norah and Jack step up to the tree. ‘For once, my height is going to be a good thing,’ she says, bending her knees, cupping her hands for Jack.
With one hand on her shoulder, Jack bounces, steps into Norah’s hands and hoists himself up, scrambling to grab hold of the lowest branch. Wriggling away, he beams down at the women. ‘I’m OK.’
‘Now, don’t do anything silly, young Jack. Hold on tight and try to get to the nearest coconut,’ Audrey instructs.
But Jack doesn’t need to be told twice. He shimmies along the branch, reaching up to a coconut above him. It takes some effort to dislodge, but finally it drops to the ground.
‘How many do you want?’ he calls out.
‘As many as you can reach, please. It will save you from having to do this again,’ Norah calls.
Before long, a pile of coconuts lies on the ground. Jack ignores Norah’s offer of help and leaps down.
‘That was fantastic, I loved being up there, you can see for miles.’
Norah and Audrey give him a hug. ‘Will you help us carry them back to our hut?’ Audrey asks.
‘I can even get some friends to help you break them open if you like,’ he says.
