The Straits Times had left a message requesting a statement from her. Sharon wondered if she should email Yu Chin and ask him to help clear her plan of action with Elvis, as they were both in Jakarta for an ASEAN conference. But she quickly dismissed the thought. She was an elected parliamentarian in charge of a constituency. There was no reason why she could not decide and act independently.

Sharon published a written response to Anshuman Tiwari’s statement via The Straits Times. She explained that the alcohol sales ban was a geographically targeted regulation; if the riot had occurred in Chinatown, the ban would be applied specifically to Chinatown. Race was never a consideration in the implementation. She recognised that the merchants in Little India had to endure a degree of shrinkage to their revenue as a result of the alcohol sales ban, but that was because their point-of-sales were located in Little India. The fact that most of the retailers were local Indians was unfortunate but purely coincidental. If a retailer like Nayagam Ranjan chose to break the law, the people of Singapore should trust that the law enforcement agency would deal with the infraction impartially. That was the true essence of colour-blindness. The minority races in Singapore ought to trust that they would always be treated with respect and equitability by the government and its people.

Two hours after The Straits Times published the article in its online edition, Sharon received a text message from Yu Chin. We read your response to Anshuman. Why did you not clear it with Elvis first?

Sharon felt a pinch of betrayal; her husband’s message came across as accusatory. Should he not be supportive of her, rather than side with his boss? She also experienced a pang of anxiety; had her published response been inappropriate in any way? She texted back to explain simply that she had made the decision not to disturb Elvis in Jakarta.

We are flying back tomorrow, ETA 11.15am. Book a private table at the Peach Garden at Changi Airport Terminal 2. Elvis will discuss damage control.

Sharon fumed. What did they mean by damage control? She returned to the Straits Times article and read it again. Her statements were cautiously worded, her arguments sound and her defence effective. What did Elvis think was wrong with it?