“Okay,” said Harold, sounding nonplussed.
Mitchell’s indignation stalled. Harold’s reaction had not been the one he had been anticipating.
“Countless people will lose their jobs,” added Mitchell.
“I imagine that’s goes with the territory. And?”
“It’s just—” began Mitchell, but he hesitated again.
“Look, if it’s sympathy you’re seeking, then I’m probably not the right person. To my knowledge—and I’m no expert here—three or four international companies have shut up shop in Hong Kong over the past four years. And I’m guessing people would have lost their jobs then, too.”
“Yes, but—”
“Which means that either other businesses have entered the marketplace or existing companies have recruited new staff—possibly the experienced staff who have been let go—to cope with the new demands from the customers who have been left high and dry. Isn’t that how business works in our delightful capitalist society? If I was a wealthy Hong Kong investor who’d been relying on a particular international bank to service my needs, and that bank closed down or moved away, then I’d find another. I know some of these internationals claim to have a global online presence, but in my experience they’re rarely as effective as having local experts on the ground. Or am I missing something?”
“No, you’re doing pretty well. Carry on.”
“Many of the people who lose their jobs will find new ones. Or decide to start their own businesses. Or realise they don’t need to work at all. And the world will move on. But if there’s one thing I have learnt about us Hongkongers it’s that we are both practical and resilient in a crisis. While the world to-and-fro’d and hummed and hawed about wearing protective masks on the street at the outbreak of the coronavirus, everybody here was already masked up. We’d learnt our lessonwith SARS. Being made redundant from my position with the construction company was the best thing that ever happened to me. I retrained and started my own property agency with the redundancy payout and, although I had to work tirelessly for months, I finally got the rewards I deserved for all the hard work I put in. Your position here will be gone, then?”
“It will. Although that, too, is confidential at the moment.”
“And what will you do?”
“I told you. I have to return to the UK. They’ve found a position for me there.”
“And is that a done deal? Can you not request redundancy? And have you considered other options? You are what used to be known as a company man, Mitchell. Loyal to a fault. Valued in the past but something of an anachronism in this day and age. You define yourself by your association with an organisation that sees you as little more than a foot soldier. One thing I love about so many of this new generation is that they are their own brand. They do not shackle themselves to one company, but promote the value of who they are and their individual skill sets. You’re still young and eminently professional, you have extensive knowledge, years of experience and wonderfully marketable skills. And aren’t you a local tax-paying permanent resident now?”
Trust Harold to state the obvious. Working in Hong Kong, Mitchell knew better than anyone that having been granted permanent residence meant he could stay in the region without requiring a working visa. He could also legitimately search for other employment or even set up his own business.
“Thank you for the reminder,” said Mitchell. “Apologies, I’m still emotionally processing the change.”
“Well, don’t dilly-dally, old man. Treat this as an opportunity, not a death sentence. You are being uncaged and can do whatever you like if you’re prepared to take a chance,” saidHarold before changing the subject. “Now, tell me how that nephew of yours is doing? Cheered up any? I hear on the grapevine that he’s been drafted into the local theatre troupe. That must be a load off.”
Once again Mitchell stalled a moment at how quickly news travelled. Who needed social media when you had friends like Mitchell’s?
“I apologise for his behaviour at lunch, Harold. But, yes, he seems to be settling in well and making new friends. Tommy Chow, of all people, has been instrumental in helping out.”
“As I have always said, sometimes a nudge in the right direction is all that’s required,” said Harold, as William’s voice sounded. “Ah, that’s my special delivery. Got to go. Please don’t worry too much or overthink this predicament of yours. You’ll do the right thing, darling. You always do.”
The moment Harold ended the call, Mitchell already felt better. Kate had grabbed the bull by the horns and explored new career possibilities. He needed to do the same. He picked up his bag and had begun to stand when his phone sounded.
“Alec Janussen is in town,” said Tommy excitedly, without even an introduction. “He says he has meetings with a supplier. Oh, I’m sorry. Can you talk right now?”
Mitchell snorted and sat back down again.
“I’m all ears.”
“He’s asked to meet me for coffee, says he has something a little delicate he wants to run by me.”
“Maybe you won’t need me after all,” said Mitchell.
“No, I don’t think it’s that. There’s something I haven’t told anyone.”
Tommy explained to Mitchell about an unknown but pretty woman holding Daley’s hand in a society magazine photograph at the launch of a new sports product, one also attended by Alec. Mitchell smiled at being the one now handing out advice.
“I think you should leave well enough alone,” said Mitchell.
“She’s my sister. How can I?”
