Jack wasn’t disconcerted and was happy to get right down to it. He began by rebuking both partners in a direct, impersonal way for not keeping better records, for not pursuing debts energetically, for not using his services sufficiently. ‘You’ve involved me very little in your enterprises apart from acting as your tax consultant. You should have come earlier, and we could have nutted out a robust business plan.’ Both Kevin and Lim accepted the criticism meekly. Kevin’s usual assurance was undermined by the threat of business collapse, and Pearly’s sympathy increased. He saw that his son’s relationship with other people could hold an uncertainty that he repressed when with family.

It was important, this meeting, but Pearly’s real-estate instincts were never completely dormant, and even as talk went on he wondered what purpose Jack’s office had originally served. Major structural changes had been made within the bungalow, but Pearly figured that the room they were in had once been the main bedroom, for there was a line discernible above the sash window where a pelmet had once been, and a file cupboard may well have been the wardrobe. Where now took place calculating professional exchanges regarding property, GST and tax schedules, once there had been laughter and tears, the sharing of the most personal fears and ambitions, lovemaking in a small bed with a sagging wire base.

The immediate and major problem was the insurance company’s refusal to accept the claim for fire damage to the tourist launch. Kevin and Lim couldn’t afford a refit of their main craft without an insurance payout, and the insurance people were adamant that the security measures laid down in the policy hadn’t been in place. ‘That’s the sink or swim, really,’ said Jack.

Kevin had told Pearly all he knew about the fire, and nobody knew much. Someone had broken in and set the boat alight either deliberately or through wanton carelessness. There was also consequent minor damage to a yacht moored alongside in the marina. ‘Those people are suing too,’ said Lim despondently. Unlike so many Chinese people, he was heavy and large. His dark hair grew straight up in bristles. His voice was soft and inflected because of his fears.

‘What’s the cost of refurbishment likely to be?’ asked Pearly, and the accountant held his hand palm uppermost towards the partners as a sign the answer should be theirs.

‘Little change from eighty thousand, both boats considered,’ said Kevin. ‘Ballpark figure.’

‘Jesus,’ said Pearly.

‘The launch was our main asset,’ said Lim. ‘A sixty-seater.’

‘And how much would the insurance have covered?’ said Pearly.

‘All of it,’ Kevin replied.