The Codebreakers

by Alli Sinclair

  ‘Me falling apart won’t change anything.’ Ellie’s words sounded strong, even though helplessness swirled within her. ‘I have a job to do and I can’t let anyone down.’

  She picked up a message, worked out the key and plugged it in. Two and a half years ago her world had changed dramatically when she’d been recruited for Central Bureau. Her days working as a mechanic for QEA felt like a lifetime ago. And her family, far away in Longreach, might as well be on the other side of the planet. It had been too long since she’d seen them. Letters just weren’t enough. She wanted to walk through the paddocks of the family farm, smell her mother’s sponge cake baking in the oven, swim in the dam and laugh at her father’s terrible jokes. So many things she longed for. So many things she didn’t know when she’d experience again—if ever.

  The morning dragged on but she went about her work like it was her first week in the job when she’d been enthusiastic and full of vigour.

  ‘It’s happened again.’

  Ellie and the rest of the women looked up as Lieutenant Andrews entered the garage. Another piece of paper dangled from his limp hand.

  ‘Nagasaki.’

  Ellie’s heart dropped.

  How many more lives would be lost?

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  Ellie sat under the Moreton Bay Fig with Louis in the backyard. Maude was busy inside preparing a light meal, having politely refused Ellie’s offer to help.

  She inhaled the sweet scent of freesias. ‘Do you think it will happen?’

  ‘The war in the Pacific ending?’ asked Louis. ‘It has to. If Japan doesn’t surrender, there’ll be nothing left.’

  ‘So why haven’t we heard anything? It’s been over a week since Nagasaki was hit.’

  ‘Perhaps it’s more complicated than we think.’ Louis put his beer on the table. ‘Have you heard from—’

  ‘No,’ she said sharply.

  ‘You don’t know what I was going to say.’

  ‘You were going to ask me about him.’ She’d found it more and more difficult to mention his name.

  ‘I hope you get an answer one day.’

  She jutted out her chin. ‘If I do, I do. I’m sure he has his reasons, but if he couldn’t confide in me, then our relationship was for nothing.’

  ‘Bug, I understand you being angry. Though neither of us have experienced what Harry has. We don’t know what it’s like to be fired at.’

  ‘You do,’ she said.

  ‘Well, yes, those rescue missions were hair-raising, but I was flying a commercial plane. There were still rules of war that everyone had to abide by.’

  ‘That’s not true. Look at what happened to Captain Koch and his crew. And you’ve been shot at a few times.’

  Louis bowed his head. ‘Well, yes, that’s true.’ He looked up. ‘Perhaps I was luckier than I thought.’

  ‘Quick!’ Maude yelled from the back door. She waved frantically and Ellie and Louis followed her into the living room where the wireless blared.

  ‘It’s Prime Minister Chifley,’ said Maude.

  Hello citizens. The war is over.

  Ellie, Maude and Louis grabbed each other tightly.

  The Japanese government has accepted the terms of surrender imposed by the Allied nations and hostilities will now cease.

  The prime minister kept talking but Ellie could barely register the words.

  ‘Mary, Jesus and Joseph,’ Maude whispered.

  Let us remember those whose lives were given so that we may enjoy this glorious moment and may look forward to a peace which they have won for us.

  Ellie’s legs gave way and she collapsed on the couch. ‘It’s really over. All of it is over.’

  Louis’s grin was so bright it lit the room.

  ‘Come on!’ Maude tugged at Ellie’s arm. ‘Let’s celebrate!’

  Louis grabbed his hat from the hallstand. Maude hastily put on her gloves and hooked her bag over her arm. Ellie fastened the pins on her hat as she raced down the steps and onto the street with her friends. And just like when the war ended in Europe, people were out on the street smiling and laughing, hugging and crying. Though this time it felt different, weightier. The war on Australia’s doorstep was finally over.

  She crammed into the tram and they rolled into the city, stopping a few blocks shy of King George Square. People swarmed over the street and it was mayhem of the best kind.

  Ellie, Maude and Louis dove into the celebrating throng. Men and women in uniform, people in business suits, mothers with young children … everyone in Brisbane was out and enjoying this moment.

  Strangers hugged and danced while others broke into song.

  A trio of women arm in arm skipped past a policeman then stopped. They quickly took turns laying a kiss on his cheek, leaving a rainbow of lipstick on his face. He blushed and laughed then the women joined arms once more and continued their skip of joy.

  ‘This is magical!’ Ellie shouted above the commotion.

  ‘A moment to be treasured,’ Louis yelled.

  ‘There’s Candice!’ Maude ran off to see her friend. A group of American GIs whistled and kept their eyes on Maude until the crowds obscured her from view.

  ‘Fancy meeting you here!’ Kat yelled over the cheers, a smiling Leonard in tow.

  ‘What a day!’ Ellie hugged Kat, then Leonard. ‘Your family will be so happy to see you.’

  Leonard and Kat exchanged a glance. He reached for Kat’s hand.

  A small square of paper fell on Ellie’s shoulder and she brushed it off. A few more pieces fluttered from the sky and she looked up to find ticker tape falling like rain from the windows.

  Ellie turned her head towards the heavens and spun, her arms outstretched.

  This was the moment they’d been working towards for years.

  The long hours. The uncertainty. The stress. The need to hold closely guarded secrets.

  It was all worth it.

  For on this day, the world could breathe once more.

  Peace at last.

  The next three days had flown by, the entire city host to one big party. Once things had calmed down, people had returned to a new normal—life in peacetime. It would take some getting used to, especially for the children born during the war, never knowing what it was like to live without the threat of invasion or bombs dropping from the sky. She wondered how Shelagh and her friends would adjust to their new lives.

  Ellie and the Garage Girls arrived at Nyrambla to find Richard carting a box from the house to a waiting truck.

  ‘Packing up already?’ asked Ellie.

  ‘Indeed.’ Richard lifted a box onto the tall stack at the back of the truck. He clapped his hands together to disperse the dust. ‘I can’t quite believe it’s happened.’

  ‘Nor can I,’ she said.

  Lieutenant Cox stepped out of the house carrying a box of stationery. He nodded in her direction. ‘Quite the fine morning, Sergeant O’Sullivan.’

  ‘Certainly is, Lieutenant Cox.’

  ‘I never thought we’d see the day.’ He put the box on the truck, hesitated then turned and smiled. ‘I’ll say it because you need to hear it once more: it was an honour working with you.’

  ‘It was an honour for me, too,’ she said, her heart filling with warmth.

  Lieutenant Cox went back inside the house and Charlie Murphy walked out.

  Great.

  ‘It’s back to the kitchen for you.’

  She wanted to slap away his smirk. Instead, she lifted her chin and said, ‘At least I’m not heading back to the cave like the Neanderthal that you are.’

  Richard snorted and nudged Charlie. ‘I’d say it’s time to surrender. You’ve lost, mate.’

  Charlie grumbled and stalked back into the house, followed by Richard who gave her the V for victory sign.

  Ellie laughed and headed for the garage, the weight of Charlie and his twisted views falling away with each step. She didn’t need approval from someone like Charlie Murphy. No matter what she did or s
aid, women would never be good enough in his eyes. She needed to remember she’d gained a great deal of respect from so many at Central Bureau, including Commanding Officer Buckley.

  One half of the Rottweilers stepped out from the house, quickly followed by the other. They stopped and stared then walked over to Ellie.

  ‘Good news, isn’t it?’ she said.

  The tallest one with thick black glasses said, ‘You’re going to miss us, aren’t you?’

  Ellie’s mouth dropped open. ‘Uh … yes?’

  The tall one held out his hand. ‘I think it’s time we introduced ourselves properly. I’m Michael Kennedy, sometimes known as Rottweiler One.’

  ‘And I’m Jack Smith. Rottweiler Two.’ He burst out laughing and pointed at Ellie. ‘The look on your face!’

  ‘How long have you two known?’

  ‘Years. In fact, I’d say since the day you Garage Girls came up with our nicknames.’

  ‘But how?’ she asked.

  Michael looked over his glasses. ‘It’s our job to know everything around here.’

  ‘Well, no one can fault you for that,’ she said.

  Jack cocked his head in the direction of the house. ‘Right, better get back to it.’

  ‘Well, it was nice meeting you both—officially,’ she said. ‘And sorry about the nickname.’

  ‘It was deserved,’ said Michael. ‘By the way …’

  ‘Yes?’

  ‘Good job. You can hold your own. We’re impressed.’ Michael walked back into the house, Jack close behind. They waved and disappeared.

  Ellie took a moment to compose herself. What more surprises were in store? She went back into the garage, punched her card and put it back in the pigeonhole.

  ‘Hey, Lillian,’ Ellie said. ‘Can you believe this is happening?’

  ‘I’ve dreamed about it for so long, I don’t think it’s fully registered.’

  Ellie looked around. Their stations had already been dismantled. ‘Are we helping pack up?’

  ‘They need us to get papers in order and the rest will be taken care of by another unit.’

  ‘What about the TypeX machines?’

  Lillian shrugged. ‘As usual, they’re only telling us what they want us to know.’

  ‘Are you all right? You sound a bit miffed,’ asked Ellie.

  Lillian rested her buttocks on an empty desk. ‘I don’t know what I am, to be honest.’

  ‘But you’re happy, right? It’s over.’

  Lillian smiled. ‘Yes, yes. Of course, I’m happy. My Sam will be home soon.’

  ‘That’s excellent, isn’t it?’

  ‘It is. I can’t wait to marry him.’ Her smile faded. ‘Oh, Ellie, I’m sorry.’

  ‘It’s fine, really. He made his choice.’

  ‘Well, it was the wrong one, not coming back to you.’

  ‘I’ll be all right.’ Of course, she would … wouldn’t she?

  ‘You’ll be better than all right.’

  The women formed a circle and took turns hugging. When Ellie got to Florry, it was an extra-long embrace.

  ‘Finally,’ said Ellie.

  ‘Finally.’ Florry grinned.

  Lieutenant Andrews entered the garage. He studied the papers in his hand then took his time making eye contact with each of the women.

  ‘Ladies, Commanding Officer Buckley and Supreme Allied Commander MacArthur and the Australian, British and American governments wish to thank you for your service. We have estimated the contribution of those working for Central Bureau has shortened the war in the Pacific by up to two years and you have helped save millions of lives.’ He glanced at the papers once more. ‘As of the end of today, the Australian Number 11 Cipher Section of AWAS will demobilise. We thank you for your time, skills, unwavering support and dedication. We would like to remind you about the terms of the contract each of you have signed, outlining what should happen once the war has ended.’ Lieutenant Andrews’s voice faltered. He took a deep breath and pushed on. ‘Of note, outside these walls you are strictly forbidden from discussing the work you have undertaken. In the eyes of the world, you never existed.’

  ‘I know this is going to be difficult,’ Florry’s gaze travelled the group, ‘but we have to honour this agreement.’

  ‘But these agreements were made during the war,’ said Lillian. ‘Now things have changed, surely they’re open to reassessing their rules?’

  ‘I wish,’ said Lieutenant Andrews. ‘But that’s not the case.’

  ‘But …’ Lillian stopped, as if realising the futility of her argument. ‘So that’s it? Thanks for all your help, you’re out of here but you’ll never be recognised for the work you did?’ She quickly looked around. ‘Not that we did it for the recognition.’

  ‘The men will need work when they come back.’ Joy leaned against the back of her chair and crossed her arms. ‘Where does that leave us?’

  ‘It leaves us back in the kitchen,’ said Cassandra.

  ‘With babies and buckets of washing,’ said Joy.

  ‘Ellie?’ said Lillian. ‘You’ve been quiet. Normally you’re not shy about saying your piece.’

  ‘I’m still trying to understand the implications of it all,’ she said, trying to hold back the sadness welling within her. ‘You’ve all been such a big part of my life these past years. I don’t know what I’m going to do without you all.’

  ‘And we’ll be spread out all over Australia,’ said Cassandra. ‘Although I think I’m going to stay in sunny Brisbane.’

  ‘Beautiful Sydney for me,’ Joy said.

  ‘Dry and hot outback for me,’ said Florry.

  ‘What? You’re going back to Torrens Creek?’ asked Ellie.

  Florry frowned. ‘Why wouldn’t I? I’d love nothing more than to live on a station, find myself a handsome man of the land.’

  ‘I just thought … well, you love it here and …’

  ‘We’ll talk about it later.’ The words came out short and sharp.

  Ellie tried not to let Florry’s reaction upset her. Instead, she grasped the silver lining. ‘We’re alive. We can see our loved ones and hug them and tell them we love them. We can sleep at night without worrying about bombs landing on our houses. We get to live when countless others will never draw breath again.’

  ‘You’re right,’ said Lillian. ‘I’m being selfish about wanting recognition. I guess I just want people to know that this ragtag bunch of women did something special.’

  ‘Who are you calling ragtag?’ Joy laughed. She turned to Ellie. ‘Are you going back to Longreach?’

  ‘I love Brisbane but I don’t know if it’s still right for me. And Longreach was my old life. I miss my family but they don’t need me there. I’ve spent so much time wishing the war was over and planning for a future with someone that will never happen, I just …’ she shrugged, ‘just need to figure out what my new life will look like. I guess we all do.’

  The room fell silent. Lillian hung her head, Joy looked away, while Cassandra and Florry closed their eyes as if willing the dam of tears to hold. Lieutenant Andrews sat at his desk, staring at his hands.

  How could she go through her days without these wonderful women who had become sisters and without Lieutenant Andrews who had supported them all the way?

  Lieutenant Andrews stood and walked over to the cluster of women. ‘I’m going to miss my Garage Girls.’

  ‘You’ve always been an honorary one, even if you are a man,’ said Joy.

  ‘Then it is my greatest honour to be one of you,’ he said. ‘I’ve never been prouder to lead a group of intelligent, fun and inspiring individuals and I will cherish this forever.’

  ‘Aww.’

  Ellie and the women gathered around Lieutenant Andrews and hugged him until they dissolved in laughter.

  ‘Right then.’ He adjusted his jacket, his tone official once more. ‘The war may be over, but we have work to do.’

  They set about boxing up papers and folders. Everything was sealed and numbered and tak
en to the trucks waiting outside to be transferred to who-knew-where. Only the TypeX machines remained on the desks, the chairs empty.

  ‘What a sad sight,’ Florry said.

  ‘Even in the midst of war we found some happiness, didn’t we?’ said Ellie.

  ‘That we did.’ Florry put her arm around Ellie and they walked out of the garage to join the rest of the women who were already on the truck.

  Florry climbed in, but Ellie hesitated. She couldn’t take her eyes off the garage.

  Joy held out her hand. ‘Come on.’

  ‘Just a second,’ said Ellie.

  Shadowed by the mansion at Nyrambla, this little garage had been the centre of her world for two and a half years. Its walls had witnessed the women handling some of the war’s most top-secret messages and ensuring they got into the right hands at Bletchley Park, Arlington Hall and countless outposts around the world. The messages they’d decrypted and encrypted had saved lives and helped the troops come home to their loved ones. All this happened under the roof of a regular-looking garage in suburban Brisbane and no one outside Central Bureau would ever be the wiser.

  ‘Come on, Ellie!’ shouted Cassandra.

  Dragging her gaze away from the building that would always hold a special place in her heart, Ellie climbed onto the truck. The vehicle took off down the gravel driveway, but Ellie’s eyes didn’t leave the garage until they rounded the corner of the mansion. They passed the double-storey house with its intricate filigree, blue and white tiles on the verandah and grand entrance with stained-glass windows. A lump formed in her throat as the truck trundled to the front gate that would be opened one last time for the women of the Australian Number 11 Cipher Section.

  As they turned onto Henry Street some women sniffed while others wiped away tears or stared silently out the back of the truck as it rolled to 67 AWAS Barracks.

  ‘I know just the tune,’ said Lillian, her eyes glassy. ‘“We’ll Meet Again”.’

  ‘I couldn’t think of anything more perfect,’ said Ellie.

  Vera Lynn’s famous song echoed through the streets as they drove towards the barracks. People waved from footpaths and front gardens and the troops camped in parks joined the singing as the truck rumbled past. From Ascot to Chermside, the most beautiful and heartfelt song Ellie had ever known floated around them, leaving a river of smiles and tears.