Early December 1942
Theresa woke in a sweat, the sheets twisted, and took a moment to register where she was: New Guinea. It was always her first thought, followed closely by a second: Pete. The flow of patients had been constant and heavy since he’d been transferred, which was at least a distraction for her during the day, but the nights were long and lonely, and made so much worse by the humidity. She kicked at the sheets and stared at the mosquito netting above. How she wished for news of him, not that it was likely – and besides all the mail had dried up. Japanese forces were close by and the job of war was on their doorstep, far outweighing mundane matters such as letters from sweethearts being carried up the trail.
She kicked at the sheet again and decided it was no use, she might as well get up and have a smoke. The night was very clear and the stars blazed in the distinct path of the Milky Way above the trees as she sat on the step and took out a cigarette, listening to the night creatures in song. There was a crack nearby and she wondered what had made the noise. Probably some furry little animal. Or a snake. She wrinkled her nose at the thought, preparing to strike a match, but something made her freeze midway. There was a figure moving along the edge of the trees. A soldier. Her insides clenched in sudden terror. A Japanese soldier. Her heart pumped unbearably in her chest and she watched as he moved towards the supply shed and disappeared inside.
She took her chances.
Treading as softly as she could, but imagining every move she made was deafening, she crept across to Dr Kindred’s quarters, feeling her way in the dark. The net around his bed shrouded his face and she wondered how to wake him without him calling out in surprise. To her relief he opened his eyes and gave a start but thankfully, no cry. Theresa placed her finger over her lips then pointed outside, mouthing the word ‘Japanese’. He moved quickly and quietly, waking Two-Bob, and the four of them crept back to the nurses’ hut and peered out the windows that faced the storage shed, one of the Bobs shouldering a rifle he’d pulled out from under the bed. Daphne was keeping vigil at the hospital and Theresa itched to get over there to warn her and to protect the patients.
They waited in silence and Theresa felt the sweat glide slowly down her back as the agonising seconds ticked by. Finally the soldier emerged, carrying a bag and making his way back along the treeline once more.
Dr Kindred signalled to Two-Bob and they quickly went out to make sure he was alone and definitely gone. After some time they returned and whispered that they couldn’t find any trace of him and Theresa slumped in relief against the wall. So much for waking in the middle of the night with hopes a cigarette break would send her back to sleep. She doubted now she would ever rest in this jungle again.
By the time they had all joined Daphne in the hospital the dawn was breaking and with it came the arrival of Australian soldiers, for once not carrying wounded. But they did carry something else: orders for evacuation.
‘The Japs are supposed to be retreating but they’re fighting the whole bloody way and moving towards this ridge,’ reported the young lieutenant. ‘You were lucky last night’s visitor was probably just some starving bloke on his own. You’re sitting ducks.’
Theresa shuddered at the thought.
‘Pack your things,’ the lieutenant ordered. ‘We are leaving now.’
‘How far will we go?’ Dr Kindred asked.
‘How bad are the wounded?’
‘They can travel, although two can’t walk.’
‘We’ll stretcher them out. I’ve got orders to take you right down to the port. You don’t want to be round here in the next twenty-four hours. Artillery is set to go.’ He walked off issuing orders and Theresa stared at the others.
‘You don’t have to tell me twice,’ Daphne declared, running off to pack. The rest did the same but Theresa was momentarily paralysed, not by fear this time. They were going to the port. Port Moresby. To the last place Pete had been. Then she found her feet too. They didn’t have to tell her twice either.