Read Online The Blood Tree by Paul Johnston - Free Book Online

was before she saw who was with me. Suddenly everything got a lot chillier.
    â€œMorning, Sophia,” I said. “Hector seems to be on the mend.”
    She nodded, her eyes on her papers and nowhere in the vicinity of Katharine. “I’ve just received the cardiologist’s report. It’s still early but he’s very optimistic that your father’s condition can be controlled. He should be able to live a relatively normal life.”
    â€œIn as much as anyone can do that in the so-called perfect city,” Katharine said, giving the guardian a belligerent smile.
    Sophia pretended she hadn’t heard and ran through the report quickly. “The prognosis I can give you at the moment is that Hector will remain in the ICU for at least another day. After that he’ll be moved to a geriatric ward until he’s stronger.”
    â€œAnd then he can go back to the retirement home?” I asked.
    The guardian nodded. “I think so.” She handed the clipboard to the nursing auxiliary. “I’ve got to get on. Goodbye, Quint.” She turned away without acknowledging Katharine.
    That wasn’t such a good idea.
    â€œGuardian?” Katharine called. Her face was set firm and her eyes wavered as little as those of a sentry on the city line with a smuggler in her sights. “You don’t seriously intend to bring a child into this crazy city, do you?”
    Sophia gave Katharine a glacial glare. “Not all women in Edinburgh have the same attitude towards procreation as ex-prostitutes like you, Citizen Kirkwood.” She moved away with her head held high.
    I’d had my hand over my eyes while they were talking, but I managed to grab Katharine’s arm before she launched herself at the guardian. Katharine had been forced to work in the Prostitution Services Department after she served time for dissident activities years ago.
    â€œCome on,” I said. “Let’s get some fresh air.”
    I led her outside. The clouds were even lower than they had been. They were holding the fumes from the brewery in Fountainbridge over the city like a chloroform pad.
    â€œFresh air?” Katharine scoffed. “We’d have to leave this necropolis to find that.”
    â€œNecropolis,” I repeated. “Neat word. City of the dead. Let’s hope that’s not where Hector’s going.”
    She gave me a look which combined embarrassment with irritation. “He’ll be all right, Quint.” Her face hardened again. “And no doubt that deep-frozen cow will produce an immaculate child as well.”
    I glanced at her and decided against calling for a guard vehicle to take me to the castle. Katharine needed a walk to work off her indignation. We turned right on to Lauriston Place and headed for George IV Bridge. Hamilton could wait a few more minutes.
    â€œWhat does she think she’s doing?” Katharine raged as she strode over the cracked paving-stones. “Guardians can’t bring children up.”
    â€œThey don’t have to,” I said, struggling to keep up with her. “The Welfare Directorate’s children’s homes do that, remember?” The original guardians had tried to do away with the family, offering state care from birth – mainly because able-bodied adults were needed to work full-time. A surprisingly large proportion of parents went along with that, though the new-look, user-friendly Council has allowed more freedom of choice since 2025.
    â€œWhy does she want to have a kid anyway?” Katharine demanded. “It made more sense when the guardians shut themselves off from procreation, as the stupid bitch called it. They say she doesn’t even know who the father is.” She jabbed her elbow into my ribs. “You haven’t been at her again, have you?”
    â€œGet a grip, Katharine,” I said with a glare. “You know I haven’t. Everything finished between Sophia and me when