“There’s a rumour that the Japanese might invade Hong Kong,” he said.

“What do the Japanese know or care about us?” the old lady retorted.

“Where we live now, we get the latest news. All the cricketers are talking about it. They don’t all agree, of course, but there’s a real chance it could happen.”

“I heard that the Japanese are planning to invade Singapore, not Hong Kong,” Hok-Yee said.

“Do you want to move somewhere dry or don’t you?” Cheung snapped at her.

“I knew you were trying to trick me,” said his mother. “I won’t leave. Don’t ask me again.”

“Why do you have to be so stubborn?” Cheung shouted.

“Cheung, don’t yell at your mother,” said Yim-Fong.

After that, they ate in silence.

Though Cheung was pleased that Tak-Wing would get the family house at Tai Hang back, he was not at all happy about the situation with his mother. He stewed the whole way back to the Happy Valley Terminus. Normally he liked to look through the grate at the Jockey Club on the off chance he might catch a glimpse of a race. Sometimes he stopped at the Chinese bookie across the street to place a bet. He didn’t stop this time. When they got to the terminus, he refused to pay for first class, though he had done so on the way out. He made his poor wife and son ride third class with him.

CHAPTER 23CHINESE WEDDING

July 17, 1937

The telephone rang and the messenger boy arrived, both at the same time. The telephone call was from the prefect in charge of residences at HKU who said that there was a room at St John’s College ready for me earlier than expected, all paid for by scholarship.

“Thank you,” I said.

“Thank Dr Selwyn-Clarke, Professor Ride, and especially Professor Duffy,” said the prefect. “She really believes in you.”

The night before, Father had stayed overnight in Mother’s room, which was still filled with all her beautiful clothes and cosmetics, as though she might one day recover from death and return to get ready for a party. It was so spooky—I didn’t know how he could sleep in there, but then, I didn’t know how we lived with her absent presence either.