Read Online The Forgotten Pearl by Belinda Murrell - Free Book Online Page B

Finally, as it grew truly dark, Mrs Shanahan urged Jack and Poppy to dry off and help build a campfire. Jack’s brothers had already collected and stacked a pile of firewood, so Jack soon had the fire roaring, sending sparks flying into the air and the silvery tree branches arching overhead.
    Mr Shanahan and Doctor Trehearne sat back, chatting about old acquaintances and news of the war.
    When the flames died down and the coals were red hot, Mrs Shanahan and Poppy mixed flour, salt and water in a large bowl to make a sticky dough. This was then shaped into four large loaves of damper that were buried directly in the hot coals to bake for half an hour.
    When the damper was nearly ready, Jack cooked steaks over a hotplate, which they ate with mustard, fried onions and slices of hot damper.
    â€˜That was just delicious, thanks, Mrs Shanahan.’ Poppy sat back, contented.
    The billy can of water boiled and Jack threw in a handful of tea leaves. He then took the billy away from the shadowy figures seated around the fire and swung it over his head quickly in big circles three times. Poppy couldn’t believe that the scalding water didn’t pour over him. Mrs Shanahan and Jack passed around enamel mugs of blacktea, which they drank with sugar or condensed milk. It was sweet and hot and heartwarming.
    At last, it was time to pack up the cups and cookware, pour sand over the embers of the fire and climb onto the dray for the slow ride back to the homestead. It was the perfect end to a gorgeous day.

6
    Pearl Harbor

    8 December 1941
    Poppy and Bryony were sitting at the dining room table, working on their lessons, when Cecilia ran into the room, her face white with fear.
    â€˜Girls, come quickly,’ she ordered. ‘There’s just been an announcement on the radio. Japan has launched a surprise attack on Malaya, Thailand and the American naval base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii.’
    The girls followed their mother into the sitting room. Their father was there standing by the radio, listening intently.
    â€˜We repeat, the White House in Washington has announced a Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor this morning . . .’ the radio crackled. The announcer’s voice was urgent.
    â€˜It’s happened,’ said Mark, turning the radio down. Hesat down heavily. ‘This is a disaster – now we are fighting a war on two fronts. Australia may be in real danger; most of our troops are in Europe and we can’t depend on Britain to defend us. They have their hands full with the Germans.’
    â€˜But surely Australia is too vast for the Japanese to invade,’ objected Cecilia.
    â€˜It’s certainly too vast for us to defend properly,’ replied Mark. ‘Only time will tell what the Japanese plan to do.’

    Later that afternoon, Poppy, Maude and Honey wandered down Cavenagh Street on their way home. Tantalising, exotic scents wafted from the Chinese cafes and stores.
    Poppy wasn’t sure if she was imagining it but there seemed to be an ominous energy in the air. Housewives huddled in groups, whispering about the Japanese attacks. Soldiers seemed to hurry with a sense of purpose, instead of their usual languorous swagger. A messenger boy raced past on a bicycle, jingling his bell and dodging the traffic.
    The sky boiled with menacing, grey clouds. Thunder clapped on the horizon. The air was heavy with impending rain.
    A truck roared down the street, loaded with uniformed soldiers, and pulled up near the girls, right outside the primary school. The soldiers leapt down, their bayonets at the ready, and marched through the school gate.
    â€˜What are soldiers doing at the school?’ asked Poppy in disbelief. ‘And why are they armed with bayonets?’
    â€˜I can’t imagine,’ replied Maude. ‘Perhaps there’s beensome kind of trouble?’
    Poppy and Maude hurried over towards the school fence to get a closer view.
    The soldiers marched up the