The Hunt (28 page)

Chapter 22

While searching for articles on the trial, Mara had come across a
Daily Male
editorial which, unusually for this newspaper, touched on literary matters.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Double or Nothing
, the latest novel by Jason Amis, has sparked a controversy due to the

fact that several sections have been removed by order of the British Board of Fiction

Classification, even though the book was given an Unsuitable for Women rating. Mr.

Amis and his admirers argue that adult males should be permitted to read whatever they

wish, and that the book should have been published uncut. This is a viewpoint with

which we have some sympathy. But we feel obliged to point out that although it might be

illegal to sell a UFW-rated book to a woman, once that book is taken into the home, it

can be read by anyone who picks it up. This is why the versions of UFW-rated films

released on DVD are more heavily censored than those screened theatrically. We can be

reasonably certain that women will not view UFW films in cinemas, but controls are

inevitably laxer in the domestic sphere, and careless husbands frequently neglect to place

UFW discs under lock and key. Some men don't even see anything wrong with allowing

their wives access to inappropriate books and films. When making a classification

decision, the BBFC's filmic branch is obliged to consider the question, 'Is this work

suitable for viewing in the home?' while the board's literary branch is obliged to consider

the question, 'Is this a book that you would wish your wife or your servants to read?'

Nobody would claim that
Double or Nothing
is suitable for women, even in its present

form. But the BBFC, mindful of their statutory obligations, have purged those sections
–

involving women pursuing their own sexual agendas - which would prove especially

damaging to female readers. Thanks to the publisher, we have been able to sample the

passages in question, and can unequivocally state that we would not want to live in a

country where women could read such material. The BBFC was created to maintain a

balance between the rights of men to be entertained, and the needs of women to be

protected. In our opinion, they are doing an excellent job.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The knowledge that Julie's murderer was a BBFC examiner made Mara especially attentive to information about this organisation, and the editorial greatly disturbed her, though more because of what it left out than what it included. The
Daily Male
's editor
evidently didn't realise how easy it was for women to obtain uncensored books and DVDs. What would he have said if he'd known that the notorious Mara Gorki had recently been able to buy
The Scum Manifesto
at a shop in central London? Reading and film viewing had become such marginal activities that politicians hadn't seen much point in passing legislation making it illegal for women to purchase uncertified material second hand or through import websites. But a tabloid campaign might make them change their minds. More books were receiving UFW-ratings lately, and the ratings were being taken more seriously. While shopping for groceries in her local supermarket a few weeks after the trial, Mara had come across a small display of paperbacks which included a new novel she was interested in. It was rated UFW, but Mara had decided to try buying it anyway, hoping the man behind the check-out counter would be too busy to notice the certificate. If he did notice, she assumed he'd simply refuse to sell her the book. But upon seeing the UFW stamp, the man had grabbed Mara's arm, leaving the rest of her shopping sitting on the conveyor belt, and taken her to see the store's manager, who offered her a choice between being reported to the police, or receiving several blows across her palms with a heavy ruler he kept in his office for just such a purpose. Desperate to avoid another punishment centre appointment, Mara had opted for the ruler, but her hands had swelled up so badly as a result of the beating that she'd been unable to write for several days.

She'd subsequently ordered the novel online, but such sources of supply could be outlawed at the stroke of a ministerial pen. Mara dreaded the day when her choice of reading material would be limited to those sanitised texts considered suitable for female consumption. She recalled Ray Bradbury's
Fahrenheit 451
, in which books were banned and firemen burned hidden collections. Could something like that happen here? Could somebody come into her home and confiscate her library? For Mara, a life without books would hardly be worth living. And what about her work? How long could she reasonably expect to get away with turning out novels which criticised the state, even if they were only published abroad? She had become a public figure, and could no longer hide behind a mask of obscurity.

Now more than ever, it seemed important to seek out openly articulated hints of dissatisfaction, pockets of organised resistance, flames that could be fanned. Mara kept a close eye on Internet boards that tended to attract female contributors, and soon noticed signs
of online activism. Messages had to be carefully phrased, there were no demands for radical change, only hints that essentially admirable institutions might be improved by minor reforms, but the tide did seem to be turning. Mara came across threads pointing out the need for greater medical supervision during the Hunt, and suggesting abortions be permitted in cases involving rape. She cautiously started a thread of her own urging people to write their MPs requesting women be given the option of wearing trousers during the cold winter months. Mara knew this campaign had little chance of success, but it seemed a point worth making, and she was gratified by the enthusiastic responses her post attracted. “Great idea!” read one. “If we can't wear trousers in the winter, how about at least allowing us thicker tights?” Politicians would appear unreasonable when they refused to implement even such mild proposals, and the subsequent perception of unfairness might generate sympathy for progressive causes. But, at least so far, nobody had dared write anything about relaxing the laws against homosexuality. Anyone who openly advocated such a thing might find their private lives being investigated, and the supposedly platonic nature of Mara's friendship with Yuke would not withstand scrutiny.

Due to her involvement with the Price trial, Mara frequently received emails from women who had been conscripted and were seeking practical advice. Remembering Claire's willingness to share painful memories with a stranger, Mara found time for everyone who needed her. She assumed the Hunters would start using a different tracking method now their old one had been exposed, so the only suggestion she could make to the terrified draftees who consulted her was that they remain especially alert during the initial meeting. She never mentioned Apartment 1708. Tyner had surely reported the place, so it would most likely have been cleared out by the Hunt Authorities, and perhaps even recommended to Hunters as a location to which their prey might be directed by a former participant with a chip on her shoulder. In any case, Mara needed to be careful about what she said. On several occasions, she thought visitors were deliberately encouraging her to denounce the government, and though these suspicions were probably without substance, she resisted the temptation to express her feelings. There didn't seem to be any actual laws against what she was doing, but both of the Hunt advice websites she'd created mysteriously vanished a few seconds after appearing online, so it was clear that the authorities wanted to suppress as much information as possible.

Mara was also contacted by women she'd met during the Hunt, including several whose names she'd not heard before. All their messages struck much the same tone, they thanked Mara for her help, and expressed sadness about Julie. Some went into detail about what had been done to them, and how they were coping with what was officially known as 'post-Hunt trauma'. Even Anne got in touch, saying how guilty she felt about her good luck. Mara never heard from the other standby, but with the exception of Isabella, who presumably didn't have Internet access in prison, she eventually received emails from everyone who had been with her in the arena. Everyone who was still alive, that is.

The most curious thing that happened during this period was the arrival of a large package with no return address at Mara's apartment. It contained a painting of a woman's face, grotesquely distorted, yet radiating energy and defiance. It was obviously by the artist responsible for the paintings in Claire Richardson's house, presumably Claire herself. Mara didn't know what to make of this gift, but she liked the painting, and hung it in a prominent position on her living room wall.

The first time Yuke set eyes on it, she gasped and said, “Mara! Who did this amazing portrait of you?”

Mara looked at the picture again. How could she not have recognised the face as her own? It seemed so obvious now. And Claire must have painted her from memory! Mara emailed Claire thanking her profusely and suggesting they get together for a drink, but she never received a reply.

***

Yuke's
career had blossomed. She'd been asked to write a regular column entitled “Le monde de Yuke” for the prestigious magazine
La passion pour le cinéma
, and was currently learning French so she wouldn't have to rely on a translator. The lease on her East Finchley apartment was about to expire, and now that her financial situation had improved, she was determined to find a place closer to Mara, so they could see each other more often. Mara remained cautious, she treasured every minute spent with Yuke, but feared the consequences of being observed constantly entering and leaving each other's homes.

Her own writing wasn't going so well, work on
A Kill is Just a Kill
having ground to a halt. Mara thought she'd at least know how to conclude the book once Price's trial was over. But the trial provided no sense of closure. This was not a story with a dramatic ending, a happy ending, or even a satisfyingly downbeat ending. By October, she had to admit the book was dead in the water, and could not be salvaged. This meant that, for the first time since the series began, there would be no Melissa Valance novel published the following year. Her publisher was more than understanding, and insisted Mara deserved a break. Mara's savings were substantial, so the prospect of making less money didn't worry her. On the other hand...

She had an idea. And the more she thought about it, the more convinced she became of its brilliance.

When Yuke arrived that Friday, Mara led her into the living room and said, “We need to discuss something important.”

Yuke
looked at Mara with concern. “What is it, honey?”

“
The book I've been writing just isn't working, so I'm going to scrap it. That means I won't have anything published next year, and I'll need to start economising. I've been thinking about the best way of bringing in some additional income, and I've decided to rent out my guest bedroom.”

The reality of what this meant was not lost on
Yuke. Her face fell as she said, “I guess we'll have to be more careful about seeing each other from now on. But you can always visit me, and maybe somebody we trust will rent the room.”

Mara could barely keep herself from grinning as she said,
“Perhaps you know someone who'd be interested in renting a room.”

Yuke
frowned. “I could ask around, but I can't think of anyone offhand.”

“
Ideally, I'd be looking for an unattached female of approximately my own age.”

Yuke
could see Mara was getting at something. “Okay,” she said uncertainly.

“
And of course, I'd only be taking on a lodger because I need some extra money.”

“
Yes,” said Yuke, more confused than ever.

“
And not because I'd expect her to eat my pussy on a daily basis.”

An enormous smile appeared on
Yuke's face as she realised what Mara had in mind. “Do you really think it’s possible?”

“
It's perfect. People take in lodgers all the time, so nobody would think it unusual if you were living here. I even have a legitimate reason for suddenly deciding to rent a room.”

Yuke
could barely contain her joy. “When should I start moving my things over?”

“
Right away. The room is bigger than your entire apartment, so there'll be plenty of space. And the bed is in good condition. Not that you'll be using it.”

Yuke
jumped onto Mara and began kissing her passionately. Neither woman needed to mention that by living together, they'd have an opportunity to explore their possibly unique connection, and arrive at a better understanding of its nature. Perhaps they would even discover its ultimate purpose. And what if it wasn't unique? What if other women had formed similar bonds? Here was a potential source of tremendous power, just waiting to be tapped. Britain's rulers had been using fear as a weapon long enough. Something like this might make them experience the emotion they'd so frequently inspired in others.