Free The Forgotten Pearl by Belinda Murrell

stairs of Darwin school and into one of the central classrooms, their rifles at the ready. Poppy and Maude could hear the raised voices from the children inside.
    A few moments later, the soldiers came back out onto the verandah, leading a small group of frightened children huddled between them.
    Poppy and Maude leant over the fence. As the soldiers marched down the stairs, Poppy realised that all the children were Japanese, aged between five and twelve. One of the smallest saw Poppy and turned towards her, terror written on her face.
    â€˜Poppy!’ she called desperately, holding out her hands.
    â€˜Shinju?’ replied Poppy. ‘That’s Shinju.’
    Teachers and students in a range of nationalities had crowded onto the verandah, watching silently as the Japanese children were taken away.
    Poppy ran towards the soldiers. She suddenly recognised one of them as Bryony’s beau, George.
    â€˜George,’ Poppy called. ‘What are you doing? Where are you taking them?’
    George glanced at Poppy and shook his head warningly. Shinju flung herself at Poppy, tears pouring down her face.
    â€˜Poppy!’ cried Shinju again. ‘Help me! I don’t want to go with them. I want my mama.’
    George put his hand gently on Shinju’s shoulder. ‘I’msorry, Poppy.’
    â€˜That’s Shinju,’ Poppy tried to explain. ‘She’s my friend. She’s just a child.’
    â€˜They’re Japanese,’ George explained, urging Shinju forward towards the truck. ‘Our orders are that all Japanese men, women and children are to be detained and interned as prisoners-of-war.’
    â€˜But that’s not fair,’ insisted Poppy, running along beside him, trying to grab Shinju’s hand. ‘Shinju didn’t do anything wrong. She was born here in Darwin. She’s the fourth generation of her family to live in Australia.’
    George stopped for a moment, and smiled sympathetically at Poppy. ‘Poppy, there’s nothing you can do. The adults have already been taken into custody. She’ll be with her family. Today the Prime Minister has declared war on Japan, and all Japanese people must be interned for the national safety. The Japanese pearlers have been in a prime position to spy for their country for years. They know this coastline better than anyone. Who knows what information they may have given their Emperor about our defences?’
    Poppy shook her head vehemently. She couldn’t believe that Mrs Murata and her family were spies.
    Poppy squatted down beside Shinju and hugged the child while she sobbed.
    â€˜Shinju, this man says he is going to take you to your mother and grandmother,’ explained Poppy calmly. ‘Everything will be all right. It must be a mistake; they’ll let you go home soon.’
    George put his hand on Poppy’s shoulder. ‘You and yourfriend better run along home, Poppy. Give my regards to your sister and your parents.’
    Poppy shook off his hand, feelings of resentment burning inside her. Maude took Poppy’s elbow and pulled her away gently.
    â€˜ Sayonara , Poppy,’ whispered Shinju.
    â€˜ Sayonara , Shinju-chan,’ replied Poppy.
    George frowned at Poppy, dropping his voice to a whisper. ‘I wouldn’t be speaking Japanese if I were you, Poppy. I don’t think you understand – we are now at war, and they are our enemies. You don’t want anyone thinking you’re on their side.’
    Poppy looked at George helplessly. She could feel tears prickling her eyelids. What would become of Shinju, Mrs Murata, Masuko and Oshiro?
    â€˜Come on, Poppy,’ whispered Maude gently. ‘Let’s go home. There’s nothing we can do.’
    Poppy began to follow Maude, then she turned and watched the group of Japanese children clamber onto the truck. She held her hand up in a salute to Shinju, and held it there until the truckload of children and soldiers