Barbed Wire and Cherry Blossoms by Anita Heiss Read Free Book Online Page A

reading and learns that the censorship authorities have said that the media are not to report anything about the breakout beyond the statement issued by the prime minister, which is yet to be released.
    Any person approached for help should immediately inform the military or police authorities . Mary rereads the line and knows how much trouble her family will be in if anyone finds out about Hiroshi. Mary knew enough about her family’s history to know why her parents were hiding him. She also knows her parents would never go to the gundyibuls – ever. It was the gundyibuls who took her mum’s sisters and brothers away years ago. No one knew that the police had the power to do that, they thought only the Welfare Board stole children. But since that day, when Mary’s mum was only a child, Joan had said she would never help the gundyibuls with anything.
    Mary memorises as much of the information as possible to report back to her parents before she finishes polishing the table and repositions the paper exactly where she found it. The locals rarely have newspapers in their homes and if someone manages to get their hands on one, it gets passed around, which means sometimes the news may be days old by the time they get to read it. As she recounts the facts in her head, Mary feels like a spy – a good spy – even though she knows the Japanese are doing evil things in the war, they are Allies with the Germans, who are doing bad things in Europe. But still she wants to outsmart the authorities. She knows enough to know that war is tragic. It rips families and nations apart. War scars the bodies and minds of innocent individuals forever. Mary is pretty sure nothing good has ever come of war, but she can’t help feeling a little grateful for war bringing Hiroshi to Erambie. Hiroshi has already made her life more interesting.
    On the way home, Mary bumps into Aunty Marj, who is standing at the front of her hut, alone.
    â€˜Hello, my girl, how was King Billie today?’
    â€˜Oh, all right, I guess.’ Mary prefers not to talk about the Manager at all, and she wonders why her Aunt doesn’t call him John Smith in front of her like her father does.
    â€˜You be careful walking around this place alone, now, you know about that breakout, don’t you?’
    â€˜Yes, Aunt, Dad told me.’
    â€˜Well, those Japs, they’re a real threat to Australia.’
    â€˜Yes, Aunt.’ Mary is anxious to move on and not talk about anything related to the Japanese.
    â€˜They are the most dangerous of all the enemy forces,’ Marj whispers. ‘And it’s us against them.’
    â€˜I better get home, Aunt.’ Mary kisses Marj on the cheek and walks away.
    â€˜Mum, Dad,’ she says as soon as she gets home. ‘I have some news.’ She wants to tell them before she forgets what she’s read.
    The three of them sit at the kitchen table as she shares her news in a low voice. ‘The military authorities have said that the escape happened at two am on Saturday but they don’t know yet how many prisoners broke out.’ Mary looks at her father, who says nothing.
    Joan parcels up Hiroshi’s food. ‘We don’t have much for you to take down tonight, Mary. There’s nothing in the garden and only a small bit of damper, and a tiny apple Sid dropped in. It’ll have to do.’ She hands the package to Mary. ‘There’s nothing from Fred, and I reckon that’s because he’s worried about Marj getting suspicious. Here’s a jar of water, the lid’s on tight. Get him to drink it while you are there so you can bring it back.’
    â€˜Hiroshi will be grateful,’ Mary says, glad there is something to take so she can at least see him again. Her parents look at her in shock and she realises she hasn’t told them she knows his name. ‘That’s his name. He speaks English.’
    â€˜What?’
    â€˜Really?’ Banjo