… previously …
A new heavy-metal song called “Oh Sweet Charles, Oh My” (at least that’s what she made of it) blared from the hastily-tuned radio station in the car stereo, after Dad had finally grown sick of listening to his Teresa Teng cassette tape for the past hours.
By now, the rows of trees had turned into endless ranks of towering, faceless buildings, stretching away to the horizon like silent sentinels of the land. The narrow highway had widened into an immaculately paved Expressway on which her car sped along into the heart of her destination, as she marveled at how shiny the cars around her were (in contrast to the one she was in).
It was almost evening by the time they reached their randomly-chosen hotel, and after a quick meal, they retired to their room.
你今晚早D休息啦。話唔定聽日你要去考試。
Sleep early tonight. You may need to sit for an exam tomorrow.
And tucked in she did, but not before catching a glimpse of Dad flipping through a thick yellow phone directory and making a flurry of last-minute phone calls (LMBFH-style) to various schools, housing agents etc. etc.
For in those days with no Internet, with no mobile phones, but with sky-high IDD rates and a whole lot of clueless people, it can be rather difficult to plan things in advance.
And with no knowledge of the huge collection of assessment books at Bras Basah Complex, Miss Loi couldn’t have been more adequately prepared for what may very well be the most important exam yet in her little life.
To be continued …
