Hope Part 3: 2031-2033
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— 2031 —
Hey Joanna,
I'm still thinking of that weekend on the Isle of Wight. You know how I am, not voicing my emotions as often as I should, but – well, I will not forget our time there for quite some time. It feels like I have known you forever, and yet also for a vanishingly small amount of time. I suppose I had sort of given up on love, on romance, and all the rest of it, after Enya died. It hardly occurred to me to look for it again; and then it came to me of its own accord. You are wonderful.
New York is a changed city since I was last here some years ago. I remember then, being struck by the stink of the streets, the fumes, the rubbish and pollution everywhere, the fractious drivers. It didn't feel much like the city of dreams, that's for sure. Now that is all ancient history. The cars were the first to go, replaced by an amped-up subway and a slick monorail system several metres above the street – I'm sure you've seen pictures. The advantage of a grid-based city plan means every third street and avenue has a single train, whizzing back and forth, and you can hop on and off at almost any junction. The pay system somehow detects your phone in your pocket and charges it automatically, which I find slightly troubling, but I have heard the system has existed in many US supermarkets for years.
The waste problem is mostly a coordinated mix of strategies that you will have seen elsewhere. For instance, all takeaway food is in compostable packaging – the compost bins are on 'dumb waiters' attached to the side of buildings throughout the city, which rocket to the top when full and dump the waste in big composters attached to the rooftop allotments. How clever is that!
The actual assignment I'm here for, this World Economic Forum gathering, is still to come. I imagine it will be mostly tedious bureaucracy again, but apparently those articles always do well online so they must be interesting for someone. I expect it's linked to the rising political engagement we're seeing in the US and UK, now that we seem to be moving away from the tribal politics of the 2020s.
Maria had seemed a little distracted these last few days, and then yesterday at dinner she was positively glowing. I asked her if something was up and she revealed she is pregnant! I am overjoyed for her, of course, and for her husband too. I have grown fonder of Jonah on the few occasions we've met. Certainly his charisma is a little off-centre, but both he and Maria have never shown me anything but kindness. They will certainly make the most loving and attentive parents. Don't tell the news to the office, though. It is still under wraps. I am not sure even Jonah knows, yet!
Anyway, I'd better send this off and hunker down for the next few days. There's a big storm due in, almost hurricane magnitude they're saying. Hopefully it will pass through before the conference, but nothing's certain. Maria and I will certainly be fine anyway; we are out in the sticks on Long Island, so it's extremely unlikely to reach us here.
Love,
Bertram xxx
Hi Bertram,
Our time on the Isle of Wight will stay with me forever. Such precious memories. You know, I felt not dissimilar to you, almost giving up on finding a partner – certainly my mother had given up on me, that's for sure! How wonderful to know that such things are still possible for old folks like ourselves, not just the young and fresh. I can't wait to see you again when you're back.
It sounds like New York might have finally become the dazzling city that the movies make it out to be! Great to hear they've really invested in the future, which many other cities could learn from. Has the homelessness situation improved at all, do you think? I remember the poverty on the streets being heart-breaking the last time I was there.
All's good in the office. I managed to catch up properly with Christine recently, which I've been meaning to do for ages. We were best of friends when we first joined the company together – twenty years ago, almost! She's been telling me at great length how she's moving all the company's pensions over to a different investor. Sounds dull, but I can see why she's done it – the current one apparently still invests in fossil fuels, which isn't where we want to be putting company money. She's found a far more ethical one, you'll be pleased to know. I wonder sometimes if she gets jealous of all her colleagues rushing around the world while she's stuck doing accounts, but she is a homebody really.
I've even done a bit of babysitting for her – her son Isaac is just about to start primary school, and is very adorable, in a snotty sort of way. At Christine's request, Isaac and I went clothes shopping at the big second-hand store, and we both made some great finds. Unsurprisingly Isaac has no fashion sense, showing a preference for simply the brightest colours he can find! Although looking at my rather out-of-date wardrobe, maybe I could take some advice for him. Clothes last so much longer these days now that fast fashion is dying out. That reminds me, there's an assignment coming up soon for Bangladesh, looking at how they're replacing their waning textiles industry with ecotourism. All down to the big mangrove restoration projects on their coastlines, which are not only great for wildlife but are also slowing down flooding from sea level rise! It always amazes me how much everything interlinks.
And amazing news for Maria! She'll be an excellent mother, I know it, although she might have to tone down the globetrotting for a while. I still haven't met her husband properly but from what I've heard from you, they're the perfect couple to start a family. I sometimes wonder if I would have liked children, but to be honest I like my freedom (not to mention my beauty sleep)!
Okay, I'm about out of news. Looking forward to you being back on home turf.
Love,
Joanna xxx
— 2032 —
Hi Joanna,
Sorry for bailing on you in Kashmir, especially just as things were heating up. Noah is doing okay. They still have him on a drip, but he's awake and feeling more like himself. He didn't seem pleased to see me here when he woke up, but I had to be there – I'm his father, after all. It turns out it was ecstasy he had taken, in some awful club basement in the red-light district. I'm trying very hard to be supportive rather than judgemental, but it's difficult, especially with all his junkie friends hanging about the place. Harry is here too, with his girlfriend in tow, but neither of them are being especially understanding.
After I had spent about five hours at the hospital yesterday morning, I made use of the rest of the day to explore Amsterdam. I rented a bike and went pedalling around the streets and along the canals, just trying to get some headspace. I considered calling you, but I thought you would have enough on your plate as it is. In any case, it's a beautiful city and feels good for the soul. In my mind it still retains the title of bicycle capital of the world, despite the best efforts of other ambitious cities!
Do let me know the latest news from Kashmir when you can. I'm sure Fred will understand if you want to pull out, if it's a bit much to face alone. I was so excited for our first big assignment together, and then it was gone, just like that. Although, I admit, a war-torn province isn't the ideal couples' getaway, it would still have been nice to spend some time abroad with you. Ah well. There's always next time.
Love,
Bertram xxx
Hi Bertram,
Honestly, don't worry about it! Of course you had to go. I am sure that Noah is very grateful that you are there, even if he doesn't show it. He's still young, and young people do silly things. He'll recover, and maybe all the unpleasantness will mean he won't touch such substances again. I think being supportive and willing to listen is the best you can do, and you are doing it wonderfully.
The situation here is much the same, not escalating, not de-escalating. Both India and Pakistan have largely stopped threatening to nuke each other after the global outcry, which is a relief. I'm now staying in a little mountain town not too far from the frontlines – close enough to hear the odd bout of gunfire. But don't worry, I have no plans of getting any closer.
The people here are mixed. Some are still using the same mantras of thirty years ago, how Kashmir belongs to the Indian people, how allowing Pakistanis to even exist here is tantamount to sacrilege – you know, the normal bigoted zealot stuff. I expect they have their mirror images across the border. But most just seem exhausted, and wish it would all come to an end. This conflict has been waxing and waning for decades, after all.
Thankfully, the food scares are now over. The dry spell ended just soon enough that the harvest in the temperate regions of India was not a complete disaster, so everyone is getting fed at least. Of course, the supply's all controlled by the military, who between that and the curfew enforcement are being extremely overbearing. But there haven't been many reports of brutality towards citizens recently – probably because there are international journalists snooping all over the place.
My job is quite straightforward now, so the article will be just fine without you here. I'll get a few more snaps but I'm sure the ones you took already will be ample. All I have to do is a couple more interviews, see if I can get a statement from the military, and then get out of here. Piece of cake!
Send my best to Harry too. It was great to meet him last year – he is a very charming and driven young man. Takes after his father! And enjoy Amsterdam while you're there, even though it's not under the best of circumstances. There's a great vegan restaurant in the Jewish quarter that I remember – I'll see if I can find the link.
Will see you soon. Sending love your way till then.
Love,
Joanna xxx
— 2033 —
Hey Joanna,
So – I've told Maria our news. I let her know she'd have a front seat at the ceremony, like we discussed. She was overjoyed, which somehow brought it home to me too. I can't believe we are actually getting married! And to think it all started when you found me in such a sorry state in the tapes cupboard all those years ago. What an inauspicious beginning to a wonderful story!
I'm so glad you like the ring. I made sure that the silver and the emerald were ethically sourced, of course – easier these days now the profiteers are being brought into line. I was thinking we could look into making the reception vegan, too, given we're both headed in that direction. What do you think? Do you think your parents would mind?
This assignment is another tiresome one. Grey-haired bureaucrats simply do not make great subject matter for my photographs, but I suppose this is another historical occasion. Even though the European Partnership has effectively been in action for a good few months, it's only now it becomes 'official' and the EU no more. To me, there doesn't seem to be much different between the old and new, but I know there has been a lot of work to streamline the whole institution so decision-making is less cumbersome. I suspect that plenty of pen-pushers are out of a job. From my German perspective, it's difficult to know whether this will be an improvement or not. Certainly it should become more nimble, but I wonder if this is at the cost of properly thought-out decisions. Time will tell.
How do you feel about the UK jumping back in? I thought it odd they didn't put it to a referendum this time, but apparently membership is less 'binding' than the EU's was, so maybe the UK will just bail if things don't look rosy. I have heard that the EP will attempt to include a wellbeing metric alongside GDP, taking inspiration from the New Zealand model, but how that will work in a multiparty system is beyond me.
Anyway, back to properly important things! I think I agree with you that a wedding on UK soil makes more sense than one in Germany. My extended family will be sure to grumble, but you can't please everyone. So, the next step is to decide between Glasgow or London. I think you know which one I would pick, but do let me know if that doesn't work! I know your parents do not like to travel much these days.
Is there anything else new with you? I want to hear everything, as always.
Love,
Bertram xxx
Hey Bertram,
I can just imagine Maria's reaction! I arrived in Glasgow yesterday and told my parents as soon as I arrived. It brought Mum to tears. She confessed she thought I'd die alone… good to know she's always had my back! She doesn't have much of a filter these days, just says whatever pops into her head. I'm trying to persuade her to see her GP, just in case it's something serious rather than simply the trappings of age.
The ring is gorgeous – I've been showing it off to my parents and all their friends too. Lots of them get very gushy. It's very novel being the centre of attention, but I don't mind it for a little while! And wonderful to hear it's ethically sourced, too. In true journalistic style I was actually reading up on its provenance, and was amazed by how decently the Zambian mines seemed to be run these days. I suppose since now their exports are focused around renewable energy rather than minerals, the market has got less cut-throat. Might pitch it as an article idea to Fred.
It's nice to be back and see Glasgow again, although it's freezing right at the moment. The city is changing, just like everywhere – living walls, electric vehicles, the works. And the surrounding hills are thick with young trees, as far as the eye can see. It's beautiful at this time of year: the ground is carpeted in snowdrops, with their little pure white nodding heads and pale green leaves. It turns the whole wood into a beautiful minimalist artwork. I'll take some pictures for you – then you can tell me how to improve my camera technique!
Mum and Dad asked after you, inevitably. Dad took it upon himself to inspect your social media after I announced the news. He's concerned you might be a bit of a 'party animal' (his words, not mine) because he found a picture of you clubbing – in 2008! I'm amazed you can still trawl back that far online. Twenty-five years feels a lifetime ago. Anyway, I've set his mind at rest, told him how dull you have become since then… Just kidding. Love you really - rather a lot, in fact.
Yesterday was Burns Night, and all my parents' elderly friends and neighbours were round for the Address to the Haggis. It was lovely to see them all; many of them I have known since my childhood. Mum did a sterling job of the poem, and Dad was looking very dapper in his kilt.
There was general grumbling about the haggis itself, because Mum had opted for one of those lab-grown varieties that are taking off everywhere. She made the mistake of telling everyone beforehand, leading to plenty of moaning – until they actually tried it, and realised it was indistinguishable from the 'real' thing. And what's more, it's local too, made in a little industrial complex just outside the city. Raising cells in a dish is far better than raising cows in a factory farm, if you ask me – not to mention cheaper these days.
On that note, what about lab-grown meat or cheese at the wedding? Could be a happy medium rather than an all-out vegan menu. Mum and Dad would be sympathetic to that sort of decision. Their opinions have changed a lot in recent years, which has been a pleasant surprise. I expect other relatives will still make a fuss, but it's our wedding after all. Our decisions!
I've been thinking about the Glasgow v London dilemma for our venue, too. Lots of the old folks up here aren't so big on travelling, but they all have their free rail passes so financially speaking they should be fine. And you know what the London lot are like, hardly daring to leave the city in case they miss out on anything – so I reckon London's probably better! We can have a look at venues when we get back. So exciting!!!
Lots of love,
Joanna xxx