The forbidden entry to those zones deemed ‘white’ didn’t work in reverse, even when it came to the women’s dormitory, as Edie was soon to find out. She’d been on Palm Island barely six months when, upon returning from the ablutions block one evening, she was dragged around the side of the women’s dormitory block, thrust up against the wall and brutally raped.

She knew who her rapist was. Even in the gloom of the night, she could make out his face in the flickering light that shone through one of the block’s windows. She didn’t know his name, but she’d seen him often enough. Crikey, she’d seen him on a daily basis – he was one of the guards who stood by every morning as the administrators doled out the work allocation. A bully of a bloke, nobody seemed to like him, not even the other white fellas.

She didn’t scream, knowing she’d get into trouble if she did. He’d say she led him on, and she knew they always believed the white blokes. So instead, teeth gritted, she silently endured the searing pain of his thrusts and his animal grunts. Pig, she thought, pig.

Then the bell rang and the lights went out and she knew it was nine o’clock. They always rang the bell and turned off the electricity at nine o’clock. That was why she’d been hurrying from the ablutions block – she’d wanted to get back before it was dark – she’d be in trouble if she was found outside the dormitory after curfew. They’d cut her food rations.

The sound of the bell and the sudden blackness didn’t halt him; his grunts were louder and faster now. He was nearing his climax.

And then it was over.

He shoved her aside, pulled up his trousers and disappeared into the night. Apart from his grunts he hadn’t said a word.

Edie made her way along the side of the block, feeling the wall as she went, turning the corner, arriving at the main door. Thankfully, it wasn’t locked yet. She opened it and slipped inside.

But only seconds later, as she started to cross the muster room, the door that led to the dormitory itself opened and the beam of a torch hit her in the face.

‘What are you doing out of bed, Edie?’ a voice asked. Despite its edge of authority, the voice was attractive, with a soft Irish lilt. ‘You know you shouldn’t be outside after lights-out.’

Nurse Jill Delaney quietly closed the door behind her so as not to wake those who were sleeping, although she knew once the door was closed most of the women would resume the chats they’d been having before she’d done her nine o’clock nightly round.