Colville had a wife and two young daughters who lived with him in the steward’s quarters of the HKCC pavilion, the third one built since the club’s inception, and the most luxurious, with a full kitchen, two bars, a change room, and plenty of equipment storage.

Dr Percy Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke, director of medical services for the colony, thought it wise for Colville to go. “Who knows what is going to happen here? You should go, and keep your wife and kids safe.”

“You don’t think I should stay and fight?” Colville asked Selwyn-Clarke. “You’re going to, aren’t you?”

“I’m too old to fight, but I have duties here that I can’t see letting go. Hilda won’t leave either, I don’t think.” Selwyn-Clarke’s wife, Hilda, was secretary of the Eugenics League and very passionate about contraception for Chinese women. She was also deeply involved in the China Defense League and committed to her friend, the widow of Dr Sun Yat-Sen, Mme Soong Ching-Ling. It wasn’t a matter of guessing. He knew she wouldn’t leave. He wouldn’t even dare raise it with her. They had a daughter called Mary whom they worried about, but Mary was also committed to humanitarian principles, like her parents. Nevertheless, Colville’s station was different, and both men recognized this, though neither of them would state the fact out loud.

“Perhaps I should stay and join the Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Corps,” said Colville.

“Perhaps,” said Selwyn-Clarke. “Though no one would blame a family man for taking care of his wife and children.”

In the end, Colville decided to go. He wasn’t a doctor like Selwyn-Clarke, and his wife was not a public figure like Hilda. If he wanted to serve his country, he could enlist when he got home. He took his leave and returned to the kitchen to see about more sandwiches.

Richard Hancock suggested that the HKCC promote Head Cook Cheung to Colville’s position. “I’d consider it a personal favour from the membership of the club to me, since it’s my nephew he rescued. He’s proven himself more than loyal, helping our boys no matter how foolish, even after our boys have done him wrong. If that’s not loyalty, I don’t know what is. Plus, if the Japanese invade, he can’t go back to Melbourne!”

The pith helmets guffawed.

“How about that, Cookie Cheung? Ready for your second promotion of the year? Doing pretty well for a Chinaman, I’d say!”

Cheung smiled. “Certainly, Mr Hancock.”