Page 104 of Sisters Under The Rising Sun
‘What was all that about?’ Ena asks.
‘Nothing. You know what they’re like,’ Norah murmurs.
The women and children spend the night anchored at the pier. When the sun is fully risen, the boat begins its slow journey down the river. The air is still, humid, energy-sapping. Hours pass before they leave the river mouth and enter the Banka Strait. The smell of salt water and a gentle breeze is a comfort to the exhausted women.
Peering over the side of the boat, Jean speaks quietly.
‘This is where theVyner Brookesank,’ she says, staring into the sea.
One by one, the nurses reach for the hands of their friends.
‘And there’s Banka Island,’ says Jean.
‘The massacre …’ begins Betty, but the words get caught in her throat. It is enough to imagine; they don’t need to talk about it.
The nurses huddle together, remembering their fallen friends. They can see the beaches of the island and wonder which inlet saw their friends murdered.
It is dark when the boat anchors off the Muntok pier. A foul-smelling junk boat pulls up alongside the river boat and the women are ordered to board. They are forced into the hold below, into two inches of kerosene. Their belongings are thrown down after them. As an air-raid siren sounds overhead, the hatch to the hold is slammed shut. In the dark, the fumes of kerosene overpowering, the women vomit and struggle for breath. They collapse into the pool of oily liquid.
‘Everyone, please try to keep calm,’ Jean calls out.
‘We’re suffocating,’ a voice in the dark moans.
‘We’re going to die,’ another calls.
‘You have to stay calm. Try to slow your breathing down. It’s the only way we can limit the amount of fumes we inhale. Please just have a go,’ Jean urges.
‘But the children …’ a desperate voice pleads.
‘Mothers, please help your children, get them to breathe with you. Slow, slow, slow.’
Soon, the crying stops.
‘Are you all right, June? I can’t see you,’ Ena whispers.
Between gasps, June manages a few words. ‘I’m fine, Aunty Ena, but I don’t like the smell.’
‘I know,’ says Ena, finding the little girl’s hand. ‘Let’s breathe together, shall we. Slowly now – one, two, three. It won’t be too long now.’
‘Can I suggest we don’t talk?’ Jean announces. ‘Save your energy and shallow breathe through your nose.’
Hours later, the junk boat bumps up against the pier and the hatch is thrown open. Sick and almost too weak to place one foot in front of the other, the soldiers help the women out of the hold. Dumped on the pier like sacks of sand, the internees struggle to stand. They support one another on the long walk to the dock. For the first time since they were taken prisoner, they are grateful to see the waiting trucks.
Part 3
The Last Days of War
Chapter 21
Camp IV
November 1944–March 1945
‘Nesta, Vivian, over here!’
Nesta and Vivian see Norah, Ena, Audrey and June running towards them.
‘Finally, you’re here,’ Norah says, feeling something close to joy. The camp is about to be reunited.
