Two tang tsai a row away angled for the same mooring and their pilots shouted obscenities at one another in Tanka. A group of drunk Dutch sailors stumbled down the dock looking for flower girls.

“Of course not,” said Tak-Wing.

“I’ve seen people hurting their own folks,” Wong said, “tearing down their communities in every place I’ve ever lived. Thinking they were going to get something out of it.”

“Did they? Was the violence emancipating in any way?” Tanaka asked.

“No. Just senseless. People in pain don’t have the best sense, sometimes. And sometimes too, it is more about choosing the lesser of two evils.”

“Hi,” I said. “I thought we were here to talk about weddings.”

“Better have these weddings quick as possible and then hide out at home,” said Tanaka. “The Japanese Imperial Army could invade Hong Kong.”

“That will never happen,” said Old Mah. “We’re too small to be worth the trouble.”

“We’re a symbol of British imperialism,” said Captain Lee, spitting a lychee seed across the deck and overboard. It hit the now-docked fishing boat right in its freshly painted eye.

“I agree with Old Mah,” Cheung said. “Why would they bother with us?”

“If I were you, I’d support Mao Tse-Tung,” said Tanaka. “I think he has a good heart and a good tactical mind. I think he truly loves the people.”

“I can see that,” said Wong. “I heard there’s a group somewhere on the mainland called the East River Column. I don’t know if they support Mao or not, but they believe in the power and rights of ordinary people. They’re not for the Japanese, but they’re not for Chiang Kai-Shek and his corrupt generals either. Have any of you heard of them? What I wouldn’t give to make contact.”

Captain Lee and his daughter glanced at each other in a strange way I didn’t know how to interpret.

“I’ve heard of the East River Column,” said Tanaka. “Supposed to operate in the Sai Kung hills—where Captain Lee and his daughter Ting-Yan are from. Do you know anything about it, Old Lee?”

“Nothing at all.” Captain Lee worked a toothpick through the gaps between his teeth to get some strands of lychee fibre out. “I’m not interested in politics. Trying to make a living is hard enough.”

“Now that everyone’s here,” Ting-Yan said, “shall we get to Chek Keng and start the ceremonies?”

“What?” I said.

“Didn’t you get the message, ViVi?” asked Emily. “We’re going to Chek Keng for a double wedding: Tak-Tam and Ting-Yan plus Tak-Wing and me!” She beamed with a self-satisfaction that was at once cute and annoying.

Tak-Tam looked at Ting-Yan, but she was busy untying the boat from its mooring.

“I thought we were going there to begin making arrangements. You didn’t say it was all planned and under way already.”