Hatred by M J Dees

Author:M J Dees
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: dystopia, post apocolyptic
Publisher: M J Dees
Published: 2021-06-19T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nineteen – 18 years and 4 months before the collapse

“This heat is intolerable,” said Jim, opening another bottle of fruit wine in the garden of the un-built country house.

“It hasn’t rained for weeks,” said Asher, accepting a top up. “We complain when it rains because of the floods, then complain when it stops raining.”

“Here’s to doing business with each other,” Jim raised a toast.

“Here’s to helping each other out,” Asher changed the toast.

The two men drank. Annabel was still pottering around in the garden with Olivia, making the most of the evening light.

“I hope this solves some of your problems,” said Asher.

“It does,” Jim confirmed with enthusiasm. “I’ve already settled the previous mortgage and, as soon as Garcia builds something we can live in, we won’t have to pay rent on the other place. The commute will be longer, but that’s a price I’m willing to pay. This is our retirement.”

“How long will it take?”

“We expect to have planning permission in two weeks and, if that’s the case, we could move in by October.”

“It’s all come together.”

“Yes, and the irony is that it was all because of one of Roberts’ recent laws.”

The two men laughed. Asher sobered.

“Although we shouldn’t laugh,” he said. “Have you seen the news?”

“The murders, yes, but don’t you think it’s the chickens coming home to roost? The fact they are killing each other is a sign of the beginning of the end, don’t you think?”

“I don’t know,” said Asher. “Everything has been very calm following the killings.”

“Yes, but when you combine it with this drought and the rumours that the harvest will fail. It’ll create a perfect storm.”

“You think?”

“Do you think the EU or the US will slacken the tariffs just because the harvest has failed? They’ll have us by the short and curlies.”

“And that will play into the hands of Roberts even more. He’ll blame the foreigners for our predicament.”

“Exactly.”

“But is the drought not affecting Europe?”

“In part, but not as badly. It’s a jet stream thing.”

“It’s climate change. Roberts’s speech is on the stretch. Watch it.”

“What did he say?”

“Making excuses for the killings. Almost apologising. Said it was an inevitable albeit tragic consequence of the tough transition our political system is making to rid itself of corruption and greed.”

“Smart. I guess no-one has sympathy with the enemies he bumped off.”

“You think it was him?”

“It’s very easy to blame zealots.”

“He confirmed that they have arrested 77 for being part of a conspiracy which reached deep into Unity.”

Jim sighed, swiping through posts on his stretch.

“What is it?” Asher asked.

“My sister is posting pro Roberts memes on social media. I think she only does it to annoy me.”

Jim let out a yelp of joy.

“Jesus! You scared me,” said Asher.

“It’s an email from my lawyer about the Zhang case. They have thrown out the expert testimony, and they have ordered Zhang to pay most of the costs, so rather than having to stump up for court costs, I think I’ll end up gaining from this whole shambles.”

“Can he

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