About Sisterland (41 page)

“Yes, confined them to their homes – unable to communicate. No Sistercentral, no comtels, no access to one another.”

Modesty dabbed at some moisture on the sleeve of her scrutineer’s uniform. “I suppose you know Patience, Goodwill and others in the Silenced have made Sistercentral their headquarters now. The Queen is dead, long live the Queen.” From under her eyelashes, she watched Constance.

“It would be wasteful not to use the building. Its facilities are better than the Shaperhaus ones. Though Patience is often in Shaperhaus.”

“Keeping an eye on the Shaper Mother. Who seems to be trying for a foot in both camps. Is she succeeding?”

“We’re giving her leeway. We’d like to have her as part of the Silenced Revolution. But it will proceed. With or without her. Patience is exasperated at her dawdling – she’s had to take control at Shaperhaus. Patience wants shapers sent around Sisterland, using silkenspeak to promote the Silenced vision. But the Shaper Mother keeps finding reasons not to cooperate. Patience taking over at Shaperhaus isn’t a power grab. It’s necessary to counteract the mother’s –” She searched for the word.

“Loyalty?” suggested Modesty.

“Wrongheadedness,” said Constance. “Which is delaying reforms. Still, a public address from Gracious will be helpful. Our sisters in other cities and belts will be reassured when they see she’s part of the emerging order.”

Modesty’s laughter set her topknot quivering. “An order which continues to use silkenspeak. The Nine isn’t being toppled, its members are resting. The Silenced aren’t against anything, they’re for something: Sisterland. ‘
No cause for alarm, dear sisters. On the contrary: rejoice. A new era is dawning. But don’t expect radical change.
’”

Constance looked troubled. “All the same, the Silent Revolution will make conditions better. For sisters, and for men.”

“Yes indeed, men. That’s what I wanted to talk to you about. I’d like to offer my services to the Silent Revolution. I’m on your side, you know.”

Constance bit back a smile. Modesty was on only one side.

Modesty pretended not to notice. “I know you want to break down barriers between the genders. I have some ideas for progressing that.”

“I’ll certainly pass on your offer.”

“Can you recommend me for work in that field?”

“Surely your Scrutineer Mother is the person to make a recommendation on your behalf?”

“She wants to keep me on Sistercentral’s staff. But I think opportunities lie elsewhere. Why wait to be discovered when I have a friend with access-all-areas? You’re connected, Constance, you know you are. You’ve advanced almost despite yourself. Take me with you.”

Constance liked Modesty, for all her faults. “I’ll do what I can.”

“I’d appreciate it.” Shyly, Modesty rummaged in a pocket and set a gift-wrapped package on the table in front of Constance.

“What’s this?”

“For the baby.”

Constance pulled the bow, and the tissue paper fell open to reveal mint-green bootees with a tiny tree appliquéed on the front of each. She gave a gasp of pleasure. “My first present for the baby! Oh Modesty, I’m touched!”

“I thought that forester of yours would like the trees. I ought to walk you to the Buzz, Constance. You’re looking tired, all of a sudden. How long before the baby comes?”

“A week.”

“It must be exhausting. But at least you’re not alone.”

Constance’s hand, rewrapping the bootees, stopped moving. “You know?”

Modesty nodded.

“Is it widely known?”

“Not widely. Is it a secret?”

Constance finished packing away the gift before
answering. “No reason why it should be. I’m not ashamed. Neither is he.”

“One day, I’d like to share a unit with a man.”

“It’s a natural desire.”

“It’s a perk, Constance. I can’t expect it unless I perform stellar service for Sisterland.”

Defensive again, Constance said, “Harper’s not the only man in the unit. Another moved in soon after him.”

“Really? Who does he live with?”

Constance thought of Leaf, the young man chosen by the Peer Mother to share a twoser. “Perhaps I shouldn’t say. But I’m glad he’s there. He’s a friend for Harper.”

When they had free time, the two men liked to stroll together in the private grounds attached to the unit. Leaf had told Harper that the Peer Mother was kind to him, and although she would soon wind down towards retirement, she was young at heart. He was fortunate to be chosen by her, according to Leaf.

“Two men in your unit. They must be exceptional specimens. How do I wangle an introduction? Are you planning a party?”

“Not in this condition. Though I did have the man, and the sister who chose him, over for a couple of glasses of setting-sun wine. I want to help Harper put down roots in Harmony. I thought it might help.”

“And was your soirée a success?”

“Of course. Devotion’s sunset wine is legendary.”

“So why did you pull a face?”

“I didn’t.”

“You did.”

Constance knew she was being indiscreet, but Modesty had a knack for ferreting out information. “It wasn’t a success, to be honest. Leaf was deferential to the sister he lives with, and Harper didn’t like it. I tried to explain Leaf is only protecting his position. But Harper thinks some sisters are treating men as toys.”

“Aren’t they for playing with? Surely that’s why you have them?”

“No! Absolutely not! Men like Harper and Leaf are intelligent. They think. What they say is worth hearing. I talk things over with Harper. We discuss what’s happening in Sisterland. He’s in the first intake of men learning to read and write, and Leaf is waiting for the next free place on the programme. Harper says men have a hunger for learning.”

“OK, if you hear of any more men like Harper and Leaf up for grabs, I mean looking for a good home, let me know.”

The baby was kicking, and Constance didn’t have the energy to tell Modesty that men weren’t up for grabs. Especially because she knew they were. If a sister was useful enough, or senior enough.

They parted, and Constance went to her new home, not far from her old one in the riverbank unit. She had been given space in a complex set aside for VIPs. Harper had been plucked from Hutchtown and the eat-easy, just as Patience had promised, and lived with Constance. Occasionally, they attracted curious glances in the street, despite being careful not to parade their affection. It left Harper touchy, but Constance was convinced their curiosity value would evaporate, in time. Partnering with a man was a rarity, but that
was bound to change.

In the meantime, she was unprepared for how rewarding it proved to be, spending her days and nights with Harper. She had known it was painful to be apart from him, but had not anticipated how pleasurable it would be to live with him. To take the sight of him for granted, the touch, the sound of his voice. To converse without the fear of being overheard. To eat a meal together. To make plans. To sleep curled up beside him, and to see him beside her when she woke. To enjoy Himtime with him whenever they liked.

Sometimes, she longed to close the door on their new home against Sisterland, and concentrate on knowing Harper. But she accepted that she had to pay for the privilege of sharing her life with him. She was no longer a private citizen. The Silenced had expectations of her. And she found herself enjoying the role she performed. Especially with Harper waiting at home.

But while Constance was delighted by the spacious threeser they shared – a threeser! who knew they existed! – Harper felt cooped-up in it. Initially, he had paced its rooms, as skittish as the wild creatures he talked about constantly. Recently, she had managed to have him assigned to the Harmony Parks division, and his outdoors work had put an end to the restless walking, walking, walking. But it did not eradicate his longing for the forest. And not all his co-workers welcomed him.

He complained to Constance about one woman on the same team who was intent on needling him. “She says men can’t appreciate beauty so how can they create it?”

“You’ll just have to show her she’s wrong, Harper.”

“You expect a lot from me, Constance.”

“I didn’t mean it like that. I meant I have faith in you. You have to believe I’m on your side, Harper. Always.”

He had apologised, and peace had been restored. But Constance was forced to admit to herself that life in Sisterland was not easy for Harper. Even the new, improved Sisterland.

At least when they used their bodies to communicate, there was no misunderstanding. The mating ritual gave pleasure and comfort to both of them. Body slotted into body, with the magic of a flame catching, and they achieved a state of grace that often eluded them verbally.

Chapter 35

Constance sat at home doing a last run-through of her introduction to Gracious’s speech.

“I hope I remember what I’m supposed to say,” she fretted. “Babyfusion’s turned my brain to ocean tea.”

“I wish you weren’t going,” said Harper. “What if you get jostled by the crowd?”

“I have to go. At least introducing Gracious is my last job before sourcingplace.”

“Try to stay sitting down as much as possible. Otherwise your ankles will get bloated again. I’ll have a fresh batch of peppermint foot rub ready when you come home. Are you certain this is still going ahead? The rehearsal was called off at the last minute. The speech could be cancelled, too. It’s unfair to drag you over to Beloved Park if there’s any doubt.”

“There’s no doubt. Patience has backed down.”

“She didn’t vet an advance copy of the speech?”

“No. She had to give in. It was the only way to end the stand-off.”

Harper knelt to help guide her feet into shoes, and Constance stroked his hair.

“I hope our baby has your colouring.”

He smiled at her. “Push. Your feet aren’t going in.”

Constance wrestled her way into them. “Goodwill smoothed everyone’s ruffled feathers in the end. But Patience should have known better than to ask for script control. Gracious looks fragile, but she isn’t afraid to make a stand. She says she’s nobody’s mouthpiece.”

Harper pulled Constance to her feet. “From what you tell me about Patience, this isn’t surrender. It’s a ploy. As soon as Gracious serves her purpose she’s out. Just like the rest of the Nine.”

“Maybe. I’m sorry you aren’t allowed to come with me to Beloved Park, Harper. I know you have hopes for this speech. Imagine if you could be there to hear her deliver it. But those restrictions will vanish, in time.”

“It seems odd to make a speech about men with no men in the audience.”

“Lots of women won’t be there, either. Modesty can’t get a ticket. And Devotion can’t be bothered going. Be patient, Harper. Please. For my sake. What does it matter, really, where you hear Gracious announce the unhooding policy? So long as you hear it?”

“Leaf and I were talking yesterday. He wonders when men will be able to propose changes, rather than wait for women to do it for them.”

“I bet he hasn’t said that to the Peer Mother. He knows to keep on her right side.” Harper’s face tightened, and Constance said hurriedly, “Harper, try to bear in mind how much has changed already, rather than worry about what hasn’t.”

“I know, I get edgy. The women I work with in the public parks are keyed-up around me, and it makes me feel like an object of suspicion. The animals in the forest were quicker to trust me.”

“They’ll get used to you. It takes time.” She twined her arms round his neck, and his frown softened.

“Leaf and I are watching the speech on the entscreen in his twoser. We’ll be cheering for you.”

“I’m only the warm-up act.”

“Are you kidding? You’ll steal the show.”

A purpose-built dais in front of Beloved’s statue had been set up for Gracious’s speech before a hand-picked audience. Goodwill took a seat beside Constance on the platform, and Constance was glad of her friendly support. She stood up to introduce Gracious.

“Prepare to experience history in real time,” Constance announced. “This moment marks the dividing line between the old Sisterland and the new.”

Gracious’s entrance music swelled, and Constance walked backwards towards her seat, lowering herself gingerly into it. Gracious appeared from behind the giant statue of Beloved. Two members of the Silenced followed, and helped Gracious to reach the front of the dais. Constance tried not to think it, but the thought came anyway. Gracious was older-looking, tired-looking, more ordinary-looking, cut off from her baby-blood supplies. The Nine aura of grace and radiance was gone. She had authority still, however.

Gracious stood without speaking, her eyes sweeping over the spectators, who waited for her to be ready. When utter stillness had settled, she reached up to her veil. With slow deliberation, she unhooked it with both hands, opened them wide, and tossed the veil away.

“Enough of veils. Enough of hiding behind symbols, sisters! Let’s try again. Let’s do better this time!” Her oration was under way.

At times, it had the ring of a public confession. She taxed the Nine with being dictatorial: “We treated dissent as disruptive. Debate as harmful. The truth as negativity. We must no longer sacrifice Sisterland on the altar of denial. Let us celebrate, sisters, because mistakes have been recognised! And now we’re correcting them. Sisterland belongs to all of us, and not to the Nine!”