Twisted Rope

Bonus Scene - More Than Just Music

A bonus chapter - an additional scene set during the Epilogue - to celebrate the first anniversary of the end of Twisted Rope.

The best available hotel in Pyongyang

The door to their room had shabby patches where the varnish had peeled away. The carpet in the corridor was worn and fraying at the edges. To open the door, Jeong-hyeok turned the key, the electronic pass system no longer reliable. Seri was feeling apprehensive about what comfort the room would offer, but inside she was pleasantly surprised. Yes, the carpet was still worn and the decor old fashioned, but the bedroom and bathroom looked clean. Hot water came out of the taps, though there was an ominous clunking noise from the aged plumbing.

'This will be fine,' she said. 'It's only for a couple of nights.' Then she clapped her hand across her mouth and looked questioningly to Jeong-hyeok. He frowned, puzzled, so she went closer and whispered.

'Is it safe? Will it be bugged?'

The last time they had stayed in a Pyongyang hotel, Jeong-hyeok had checked everywhere for bugging devices, but this time, he laughed.

'Who would there be to listen? Anyway, Ka-youn said she would book us in here, as it's where government officials and UN staff stay. It will have been made safe first.'

She relaxed and laughed a little. Even so, he wandered over to the picture, an idealised landscape of the Korean countryside, hanging on the wall. Gently, he lifted it to look behind, then shook his head. She too peeped inside the lampshades of the bedside lights. Nothing odd-looking there either. Jeong-hyeok checked another couple of places and then put his arm around to hug her.

'I'm sure it's safe, but being back here brings back old habits, doesn't it?'

She nodded, leaning her head against him.

'So many years ago, now. But this place is bringing back so many memories. We met Gu Seung-jun in the lobby. And then Seo Dan chased us down. I remember being impressed by Pyongyang. It seemed so modern after your village, so much more like Seoul. But today,' she shook her head and moved apart so she could face him. 'It's awful. So many half-ruined buildings. It's just falling apart. And some of the villages we drove through! And the roads! Oh, honey, it must hurt to see the country like this.' She watched his dear face, the same shadow of grief sweeping across his expression she'd noticed as their escort had driven them from the military airbase. The government had repurposed it for internal flights from Seoul. According to Ka-youn, the road network was almost unusable.

As they'd travelled, they had both been shocked by what they saw, but in Jeong-hyeok she'd sensed pain too. That his country could have been so ruined and neglected. Worry too for the people living here. She knew his old guilt over how he had left them all behind was just a whisper away. She'd tried to reassure him. We're here now, she'd said. We'll do what we can to help. And Ka-youn and Yeji will make such a difference to our country's future. That's your contribution.

She truly believed that. And this should be a time for optimism. They were rebuilding the country for the future. Not a time for regrets.

'We must look forward now,' she reminded him. When she hugged him, she was pleased to see him smile.

A knock at the door interrupted them, and he opened it to find Yeji welcoming them.

'If you're not feeling too tired after the journey, Appa, I wondered if you'd like to come with me to the final rehearsal? The pianist, Lee Hae-soo is one of your old proteges. I know he would be pleased to see you. Would that be ok Eomma?'

'I think it's a lovely idea,' said Seri. 'You should go. I don't mind resting here. And perhaps Hyun-ki and I will go for a coffee downstairs later.' She was glad Yeji had come. The rehearsal would be just the thing to help him stay positive.