Page 76 of Sisters Under The Rising Sun
‘No, it needs to be something different, something special. You two, you’re a start. I have an idea and I just need two others. They’re in one of the Dutch huts. Come on, why are you just sitting there? Let’s go.’
‘It’s getting late, Norah; can’t this wait until tomorrow?’ Audrey says.
‘No, it can’t.’
Ena has known all her life not to argue with her sister; Audrey too has learned that Norah is an unstoppable force, and they follow across the road to a hut, home to some of the Dutch women.
Thankfully, two of the women in the hut were part of the original choir, Margarethe and Rita. They look on in amusement as Norah explains her idea.
‘I’m going to sing Tchaikovsky’s “Andante Cantabile for Strings”,’ Norah says.
‘What do you mean, you are going tosingit? It’s written for violins and a cello. We don’t have any instruments,’ Rita says.
‘I know. You are all going to be my instruments. Just listen.’
Sweetly, gently, Norah oohs and aahs the simple melody. The other women in the hut crowd around. Opening her eyes, Norah looks at her chosen choristers.
‘What do you think?’
‘Well, you sound amazing, but we can’t do that.’ Margarethe is bemused.
‘If I can do it, so can you. All of you have much better voices than me. Please, will you at least try?’
‘Is this what you want us to sing to Margaret?’ Audrey asks.
‘Yes, we need to give her something special, something unique. I believe if she hears you singing this piece, she’ll wake up.’
‘Well, I’m up for it. What do you say?’ Audrey turns to her three choir mates.
‘How long have we got to learn it?’ Rita asks.
‘Tonight, and tomorrow. But the next day I want us to visit Margaret.’
‘Let’s do it!’ Ena says.
‘I think we should start humming just the first line; I want to hear the shades and rhythms in your voices.’
The second line is sung, then the third, and so on until the four women have created a sound unlike anything their audience has ever heard.
‘Now let’s string them together,’ Norah says, raising her arm.
The next day when Norah, Ena and Audrey arrive at the Dutch hut, the women are waiting for them. Over the next few hours, they perfect their parts in readiness for their performance of Tchaikovsky.
Saying farewell to Margarethe and Rita, Norah sends Ena and Audrey home. She is going to stop off and visit Margaret, even though it is late, but she needs to see her.
Knocking gently on the door, she is let inside and she tiptoes with Marilyn to Margaret’s bedside.
‘No change,’ Marilyn says.
‘Not getting any worse though?’
‘Not that Nesta has seen. If anything, she is resting for longer periods between the shivers and seizures.’
‘Is it OK if I come back tomorrow morning with four others? We would like to sing to her.’
‘Of course, it certainly can’t hurt.’
The next morning, Norah, Ena, Audrey, Rita and Margarethe wait outside Margaret’s hut for Nesta to update them on Margaret’s condition. They pace and worry, scuffing at the dirt beneath their bare feet. Finally, Nesta appears. She isn’t smiling, but she isn’t frowning either, which Norah takes as a good sign.
