White Tiger

closed it again.
    ‘I spoke to your mother and she will be delighted to have you there.’
    ‘What?’
    ‘She’s expecting you tomorrow morning. Your sister will be there as well—she says your nephews are dying to see you.’
    I raised my hand to shove him and changed my mind. He grinned at me. I dropped my head to my knees.
    ‘You don’t want to see your family?’ he said.
    ‘I am so embarrassed,’ I said. ‘I’d intended to spend a day with them, and I haven’t even done that. I didn’t even think of them really.’ I looked up at him. ‘Thanks.’
    He shrugged. ‘Family is important.’
    I shared breakfast with Mr Chen and Simone before I left.
    ‘Where’s Leo?’
    Mr Chen stirred his congee. ‘He didn’t return after meeting up with his friends last night. I don’t think he’ll be back until late tomorrow night or early Monday morning.’
    ‘Good,’ I said. ‘Will you two be okay without me?’ Both Simone and Mr Chen snorted with disdain. ‘You are a silly, Emma,’ Simone said. ‘You go and see your mummy and daddy.’
    ‘I’ll be gone for two whole weeks, sweetheart.’
    ‘Is that longer than one day?’
    ‘Yep.’
    Simone shrugged. ‘Me and Daddy are going swimming. And talking to the fish.’ ‘What do the fish say?’
    Her eyes were cheeky over her cereal. ‘They’re really boring. Nearly as boring as Daddy.’
    Mr Chen made a soft sound of amusement but didn’t say anything.
    I finished my tea. ‘I’d better go. I’m supposed to pick the car up at nine.’
    Mr Chen rose and came to me. He stood slightly away and looked down. Then he looked into my eyes. ‘I will miss you.’
    ‘I will too!’ Simone yelled, and ran and tackled me. I picked her up and she threw her little arms around myneck. She kissed me loudly on the cheek. ‘Me and Daddy will miss you, Emma!’
    ‘I’ll miss you too, sweetheart.’ I pulled her close and smiled at Mr Chen over her shoulder. ‘I’ll miss both of you.’
    He turned away. ‘Go, Emma. I’ll see you back home in two weeks. Enjoy this time with your family.’
    I lowered Simone. She pushed me gently. ‘Bye, Emma.’
    I swallowed, turned and picked up my bag. I embraced Monica, and left.
    I took a taxi to the shopping centre to collect the rental car. I was tempted to rent a luxury convertible, but decided against it and got a small hatchback instead. I threw my bag into the back and headed northwest to Montford.
    The Gold Coast’s huge sparkling mansions faded and the houses became smaller and more unkempt the further west I travelled. Montford was an ordinary suburban town just out of Brisbane; nothing like the expensive glamour of the Gold Coast.
    After nearly two hours’ driving I arrived at my parents’ house. They’d left a space on the drive for me, and two cars were parked in the street in front of the house. Looked like everybody was there. I steeled myself and pressed the doorbell.
    I opened my suitcase on the living room floor and pulled out gifts for everybody. Game Boy for four-year-old Mark; less complicated toys for two-year-old David. Silk tops for my sister Amanda; she was older, shorter and rounder than me, with darker hair that fell over her shoulders. Her husband, Alan, was tall and gangly and I gave him some designer T-shirts I’d found in a factory outlet in Kowloon City.
    I’d brought handicrafts for my mother: carved balsawood scenes and cloisonné. Her long kind face lit up.
    My father received some small electrical things I’d picked up across the border in Lo Wu Shopping Centre. He was thrilled. He hadn’t changed at all since I’d last seen him; his generous, leathery face smiled under his greying hair; a working man.
    I gave everybody a traditional Chinese silk jacket. Plain navy blue ones with embossed longevity for Dad and Alan; beautifully embroidered ones for Mum and Amanda. I even gave little jackets to Mark and David.
    Everybody was thrilled and I was finally allowed to sit on the couch. Amanda passed me a mug of tea and they sat around me, expectant.
    ‘I sent you a Christmas card and your friend Louise said you’d moved out,’ my mother said. ‘Then this Mr Chen man calls and says you’re coming to stay.’ She hesitated. ‘Is there something you want to tell us, dear?’
    ‘I’m working full-time as a nanny for Mr Chen,’ I said. ‘Not what you’re thinking at all.’
    My father was incredulous. ‘Full-time nanny, Emma? Surely you can do better than that.’ His eyes