It was a fine Monday afternoon in September. The summer heat and humidity were over and a cool breeze from the north made for ideal walking. Jacques was not coming home until much later attending a business dinner at the Mandarin, and so Elise decided to have a walkabout in Mongkok. There was a long street parallel to Nathan Road where you could buy almost anything and lots of different street food. Dim Sum figured. She had ensured to tell Lisa that she would also not be back until later so she could enjoy some time with one of her several male friends.
Elise took the Peak Tram at her local stop and stepped out at the terminus in Garden Road. Opposite was the familiar sight of the big Protestant Church. She did not know the name as she was not a churchgoer or even a Christian, but I suppose being in a relaxed mood, memories surfaced and she found herself re-enacting scenes of earlier sexual abuse she thought were long over. Her feet automatically led her across Garden Road and into the grounds of the big church.
One half of the big Church door was open but there appeared to be no-one around, and so she slowly went inside. The peace and beauty of the place increased the feelings that were already troubling her.
Elise walked slowly towards the altar, and at the step and rail she paused and knelt. Soon her tears started to fall, and soon her emotion caused her to sob aloud. Soon Elise felt a soft hand on her head and a male voice said, "Peace be with you my child". Elise looked up and there was a gweilo in a black cassock probably in his mid thirties looking straight at her, obviously very concerned. "Possibly there is something I can help with," the vicar continued, "You are welcome to confide in me in my study if you wish."
The Vicar turned and started to walk slowly out of the sanctuary. Elise got up and entered the sanctuary at the break in the rail and followed the Vicar inside. She followed him into a small study with desk, upright chairs and a small bunk bed across to the left. "We shall be joined by Miss Chiu shortly who is bringing flowers. I always insist on another female being present at these times," the Vicar continued.
Almost immediately there was a knock on the door. "Come in," called the Vicar and a trim, pretty Chinese woman around 25 bustled in smiling carrying a large bunch of flowers. "Just put the flowers in that big vase, for now, please, I need to you accompany me listening to this lady who is in distress."
Miss Chiu pulled up a chair aand took a seat at the end of the desk so that she was neither on the Vicar's side nor that of Elise. "Now, please tell us what is troubling you so that we may be able to help," said the Vicar, looking directly at Elise. Elise took a deep breath and then launched into the whole story of her abuse that had led her uncle to rescue her and bring her to Hong Kong. As the story came to a close, Miss Chiu looked directly at the Vicar and said, "Reverend, this matter I think I need to help with. As you know I am a qualified psychologist and this lady needs immediate help. I would like her to rest on the bunk bed over there so that I can talk to her in a relaxed mode." The Vicar nodded in agreement and Miss Chiu rose and took Elise by the hand, leading her across to the bunk bed, which was a simple affair with no headboard or footboard and probably only used as a simple sofa.