‘I’m putting things in context, Ashleigh. Context is vitally important. Do you understand?’ I might have nodded. Maybe I did, because she continued almost immediately. ‘Governments came and went but most could do nothing. Then, about fifty years ago, a law was passed that stopped any woman having more than one child. Some people ignored it, mainly the people who live off the grid out there, the people who forage for themselves outside government control and outside the law. But the point is, Ashleigh, it was a good law. When there’s not enough food, you have to control the population. If you don’t, the lack of food will do it for you. Too many people starve already without us making it worse.’

More silence. But I knew it was going to end.

‘Have a child and you are sterilised. Permanently. If you happen to be having twins or triplets, okay. You keep them, obviously, but then you’re sterilised.’ Long pause. ‘This brings me to Aiden.’ She sat on the chair next to me and for a moment I thought she was going to put a hand on my knee. Her fingers hovered for a second and then disappeared from my sightline.

‘One thing that did improve after the catastrophes of global warming was investment in science. Because it was science that offered hope for the future of humanity. Editing the genes of certain foodstuffs so they could survive, thrive even, in a radically changed climate. Eventually, world governments will look more closely at space investment, getting us off this planet to another world where we can start again. Cynics would say, to destroy our new home again. But that’s the future. For the time being, it’s all we can do to survive here. One of the things invested in was AI, my specialist area. Artificial intelligence can do so much. It can learn, adapt, change. It can work out how to become more efficient at whatever task it’s given and efficiency is more important than it’s ever been. It’s no exaggeration to say that AI is the key to our survival. In the last fifty years it’s evolved at a phenomenal rate, an unbelievable rate – it would, of course. That’s what AI is designed to do.’

Mum crouched down in front of me again, lifted up my chin with one finger. I didn’t have the energy to resist. I met her eyes.