Lessons

by Ian McEwan

But whatever was said here, nothing would change. She would continue with her determined business. He would go home. His life would go on as before. Lawrence was happy enough, long used to life with a single parent. The world was about to become a better place. He remembered and rehearsed his moment of optimism in no-man’s-land. Only three hours ago. Already it was expected that the satellites of the Soviet Empire would turn West, stand in line for the Common Market, for NATO. But what need of NATO? He saw it clearly – Russia, a liberal democracy, unfolding like a flower in spring. Nuclear weapons negotiated downwards to extinction. Then mega-tides of spare cash and good intentions flowing like fresh water, cleansing the dirt of every social problem. The general well-being refreshed, schools, hospitals, cities renewed. Tyrannies dissolving across the South American continent, the Amazon rainforests rescued and treasured – let poverty be razed instead of trees. For millions, time for music, dancing, art and celebration. Mrs Thatcher had demonstrated it at the UN – the political right had finally understood climate change and believed in action while there was time.