“You’re tired, Klara,” I said. “Let’s stop for today. I was so engrossed in what you were saying, I didn’t notice.” “Yes.” She heaved a weary sigh. “I don’t think I can do any more reminiscing today.” She glanced at her watch. “In any case, I have to open the shop soon.” I turned off the tape recorder. “I’ll leave you to have a little rest before that.” I put the recorder into my bag, then stood up. “Don’t go yet, Jenni,” Klara said. “There’s something I want to show you.” I sat down again, pleased that Klara wanted to share something with me, unprompted. She lifted the lid of the wooden box, which had been intriguing me. “As I told you, we left Java with nothing,” she said quietly. “But I do have a few mementoes, which I treasure, as a reminder of what we survived. This is one.” She took out a white handkerchief, neatly folded, opened it out, and laid it on the table. Edged in lace, it was made of fine cotton lawn and embroidered in a red-and-blue script.
What do You think about Shadows Over Paradise (2015)?
