Chapter six
Harvey meandered through London's Chinatown, taking in every familiar sight and sound as if it were only yesterday. Chinatown was a colourful and lively part of the city and had an aroma like no other. He stood next to a chestnut seller, the sweet smells of roasted nuts and the quickfire jabber of passer-bys merged with his own memories of the street from fifteen years ago. He leant on the wall and studied the building opposite.
The Wing Loo Emporium was nestled between an amusement arcade and a red brick restaurant. The small pane windows were dark and dusty; nothing visible beyond the meagre display of golden Buddha's and paper dragons.
The door to the emporium opened slightly and a wispy-haired old man looked out, directly at Harvey. A moment of recognition, then he smiled and beckoned Harvey to him.
Harvey took a deep breath. He wasn't sure if he should have made himself known, but matters were being taken out of his hands and he would now have to confront his old teacher. He shoved his hands deep into his pockets and crossed the street to the dusty little shop.
The shop interior was cramped and Harvey had to side-step between a narrow table and an overstuffed bookcase to make his way to the glass counter at the back of the Emporium. Wing Loo stood in a doorway behind the counter, holding back a bead curtain. 'You want to come in the back for a cup of tea? Nice and hot.'
'Thank you.' Harvey inclined his head and followed him to a small room off the corridor. A kettle was steaming and the old man hustled over to a rickety table and poured the hot water into a white teapot. Harvey sat on a chair closest to the exit and waited patiently. His mentor prepared a tray with the teapot and two small white cups and placed them on the table, taking a seat.
'So,' the old man said.
'So,' Harvey replied.
With a smile, Wing Loo poured two half full cups of green tea, small clippings of leaf floating on the top. He tapped the table with his fingertips, barely able to suppress his eagerness, eyes wide like an excited child. Harvey watched the scene he had watched many times before. The elder waited for a few moments more, then clasped the cup and drank the hot tea with obvious delight.
Wing Loo looked up. 'My only vice,' he said.
'So you have given up smoking?' Harvey said.
'Smoking? That is no vice. Twenty a day keeps me limber. But I smell the delicious aroma of nicotine on you.' He inspected Harvey's fingers. 'But then, you're back in the UK. After swearing never to return.'
'Forthright as ever. Aren't you supposed to be enigmatic? Speak in vague riddles?'
'Ahhh, little Salmon, life is too short for such games. I enjoyed those TV shows with the monk walking the earth, solving people's worries. But all those open ended riddles? My, my, my. Not for me. I need answers right now. Instant gratification, that's me. So. You are back in Britain and looking for revenge.'
'I'm not looking for it. I'm here to dish it out.'
'Do you know what you risk?' the old man tutted. 'What do I say, of course you know. You, above all my students, know the consequences of the pursuit of revenge.'
'I am prepared.'
'Ah, Salmon, there are some consequences that you cannot prepare for.' Wing Loo shook his head. 'You think you help her by seeking revenge?'
'It helps me. I can't walk around knowing that they breathe the same air. That they live and she's gone.'
'And the price you pay. The price for murder? You condemn yourself, salmon. Condemned.' Wing Loo's voice grew louder, the anger in his voice unmistakable.
Harvey glanced at his watch. 'I have to go, I'm late.'
'Whatever inner demons you have you must confront them. But take a life, whatever your justification, and you risk losing something greater than your liberty. If not careful you will become a vessel of hatred and bitterness upon which your inner demons will feast. Never to know peace!'
Harvey was stunned at the outburst. Master Loo had rarely used such emotive terms. He looked out through the doorway into the shop, hoping to hide the colour risen in his cheeks.
'Little salmon. Always swimming upstream, always fighting the current. Did you never want to relax and go with the flow?' Wing loo's features soften, a sad smile touching his lips.
Harvey stared into those earnest eyes. 'Always.'
'Come back to visit me again. Soon. And no hesitation next time.' The old man mirrored the surprised expression on Harvey's face. 'Oh yes, I follow your horoscope too. With much interest.'
'Yes, Master Loo, I promise I shall.'
'Ha. Is this a promise you are likely to keep?' the old man asked, then waved his hand before he could lie again. 'Take this small token.' He picked a small bag of herbs from a nearby shelf. 'These herbs will make the most refreshing tea. Prepared by my own hands.' He pressed the bag into Harvey's hands and clasped them tightly. 'Your path is set. I see that now. But not everything in life is defined. There is always chance.'
Harvey tucked the bag of tea herbs into his pocket. He smiled grimly at his former tutor and left the toasty warm shop interior for the cold London streets.