‘Then say it,’ interposed Grenz Kanli. ‘You’re pro-abortion.’
‘We’re pro-abortion. Yes,’ said Belle, adding, ‘until both men and women learn to control their sexual urges.’
I saw Sharon returning Kissorian’s glance. She gave a sly smile. There, I thought, was another kind of happiness that could not be legislated for. I could not help liking her a little – and envying her at the same time.
Turning from her companion, Ben, Paula at the next table entered the discussion. Belle’s remark about people curbing their sexual urges had made her restless.
‘Haven’t you people forgotten about mothers?’ she asked. ‘You know, the people who actually bring forth babies from their goddamn wombs into the world? Since it’s a result of sexual activity, I suppose you’ve forgotten about mothers.’
‘We’ve not—’ Belle began, but Paula overrode her.
‘You don’t need all this bureaucracy if you honour mothers as they should be honoured, treat them properly, favour them in society. Start thinking about actual people rather than legislation.’
‘We are thinking about people. We’re thinking about children,’ said Belle, sharply. ‘If you have nothing better to contribute to the discussion, I’d advise you to keep silent.’
‘Yes, yes, yes … If anyone doesn’t think your way, they’d better shut up. That’s your way of thinking, isn’t it?’
‘I was thinking,’ said Belle, coldly, ‘more of your recent abortion. That is a pretty clear indication of your precious regard for motherhood.’
Paula looked absolutely astounded. Belle turned her back on her and asked me, ‘How’s Alpha getting on, my dear?’
I could not answer. Paula rose and marched out of the cafe. As she went she clicked her fingers. Ben Borrow stood up, gave us an apologetic glance, and followed Paula.
Only afterwards, when I talked to Kissorian and Sharon about this spat, did I understand the emotions that provoked it. The reason was simple. Belle stepped out of her normal rather magisterial role because she was jealous. Ben Borrow had been her protege. She was furious to see that he had taken up with Paula. He had said nothing. His mere presence was enough to irritate Belle.
I reflected on my ineptness at reading motives.
After more discussion, and more coffdrink, Belle calmed down enough to return to the conversation.
She said, ‘For some centuries, the civilised nations, so-called, have had health-care services. Time and again, those services failed, in the main through underfunding. The essence of our scheme involves continuity – that an underprivileged child should have a helper to whom he can always turn, who indeed meets up with him over a cup of something once a week.’
‘We call this the C&S system, and it can run throughout life if necessary,’ said Crispin. ‘C&S – Care and Share. Always someone there to share problems and talk to.’
Kissorian laughed. ‘Isn’t that what husbands and wives do, for heaven’s sake? Your C&S is a kind of sexless marriage, isn’t it?’
‘No, it’s sexless parenting,’ Crispin said sharply.
‘I had as difficult a childhood as you can imagine, and I could never have tolerated any stranger’s shoulder to cry on.’
‘Just stop and think about that, Kissorian,’ Belle said. ‘Suppose there had been not strangers but a steady friend, always there to turn to…’
‘I’d have stolen his wallet!’
‘But with our C&S system in operation, your childhood would not have been so difficult, and so you would not have felt that compensatory need to steal a wallet. You can’t be glad you had such a difficult childhood?’
He smiled, directing half of that gleam towards Sharon. ‘Oh yes, I can. Now that it’s over. Because it is an integral part of my life, it formed my character, and I learned from it.’
Silence fell while we digested what had been said.
At length Tom spoke. ‘You have some concrete proposals, Belle and Crispin. They’re certainly sane and benevolent in intention, although how any terrestrial politicians can be strong enough, enlightened enough—’
Belle interrupted. ‘We have a singular advantage here, Tom. No politicians!’
‘At least, not in the accepted sense,’ added Crispin, with a smile.
‘We enter this plan into our constitution here, and enact it as far as is possible – in the hope that Earth may take it up later. Example sometimes wins converts.’ Belle turned her regard suddenly on me. ‘And what does our silent and watchful Miss Cang Hai make of all this?’