By the Broken Trough
From childhood, Alice knew she was beautifuleveryone said so.
«Our girl is lovely, stands out with her extraordinary beauty among the other lasses,» her mother would cheerfully tell colleagues and friends.
And indeed, they all saw it and agreedwhat else could they say? Though their neighbour, Mrs. Higgins, was a touch sceptical.
«All children are sweet, but not all grow up to be so striking,» shed remark, then hastily add, «Not that I mean Alice wont, mind you.»
Alice grew tall and shapely, a proper beauty by secondary school. Proud and spoiled, she knew lads would do anything for her, their gazes lingering with longing.
When she left school, university was out of reach, though shed dreamed of higher education. Instead, she enrolled in a technical college. In those days, education wasnt a matter of money, and she earned a diploma in retail management.
«Love,» her mother said, «why dont I get you a job at the factory lab? Its light workno heavy liftingand suits you, delicate as you are.»
«But what about my diploma?»
«Oh, who works in their field these days? And why would you want trade?» Her mother, whod spent her life at the factory alongside Alices father, had made up her mind.
Alice took the lab job. By then, she was lovelier than ever, sure of her worth, and fell for William, an engineer from the next workshop. Their love burned fast and bright. They courted briefly before he proposed.
«Before someone snatches you away, marry me,» he said with a smile, offering his heart. «Will you?»
«I will,» she answered, delighted.
The wedding was like any otherheld in the factory canteen. Back then, in those days, most weddings were much the same: modest, but crowded with guests.
Soon after, Alice discovered she was expecting.
«Will, were to have a baby,» she told him.
«Splendid! Im over the moon, Alice,» he said, embracing her.
A daughter was born, pretty as her mother, and all was well.
Years passed. The girl grew, attended nursery, while Alice and William worked. After maternity leave, Alice changednot in looks, but in temper. She began acting like a queen, lording over William, who bore it quietly, devoting himself to little Sophie. He fetched her from nursery, read bedtime stories, tucked her in.
Alice was often late, claiming extra hours at the labthough William knew no one stayed late there. He dared not confront her; shed rage loud enough for the whole flat to hear. He spared Sophie the rows.
«William, your wife was seen dining with the chief engineer,» colleagues muttered. Hed just lower his eyes.
«William, why marry a beauty?» friends teased. «You know a fine cake wont stay untouched for long»
It was no secret Alice charmed men, moving in loftier circles than a simple engineer like him. Soon she took up with Anthony Blackwell, a ministry man who spoiled her with jewels and finery.
William became a meek, downtrodden husband, handling chores and Sophie while Alice barked ordersstudy, shop, clean. Divorce never crossed his mind; he feared upsetting Sophie.
Then came the turbulent times. The official Alice had been seeing fell from grace, like so many then. Anthony Blackwell was suspected ofwell, many things.
«Alice, if they ask about me, say little,» he muttered one day. «Ive a feeling we shant meet again.»
He was right. Blackwell vanishedarrested, she learned. Worse, they hauled her in for questioning, holding her overnight. Alice wept, begged, swore she knew nothing of his dealings.
They released her for lack of proof, but her reputation was ruined. She returned home feeling as if shed waded through filth. Shed lost everything. Their savings had dwindled; William sold half their possessions to support her during the ordeal. The factory sacked her. William refused to divorcefor Sophies sakebut they lived as strangers.
Once, he nearly left, but feared Sophies distress. A mother was needed, after all.
When Alice guessed his thoughts, pride stung her into pleading:
«William, dont go. Dont leave me. Forgive meit wont happen again.»
He stayed, but recoiled from her touch.
«Youve been with others,» he said.
«For our familys sake,» she countered.
Yet soon she strayed again, finding a young assistant, Thomas. Old connections and sharp wits helped Alice rebuild in the new economy. Borrowing at interest, she rented a souvenir stall in a tourist-heavy spot, thriving swiftly. Within years, she owned one shop, then two.
«William, fetch me from the airportIm off to Turkey for stock,» shed order. «Then Poland. Why not quit your job and help me trade?»
«No talent for it,» hed say.
«But I need a mans strength.»
«Plenty of jobless fellows about,» hed reply flatly.
So Alice took Thomas as both assistant and lover, hiding away in hotels. Money flowed, but she and William remained estrangednever divorcing. He knew of Thomas, sometimes spoke of it.
«Had you paid me attention, I wouldnt need a helper,» shed retort.
«You sicken me,» hed say.
Time flew. Sophie married and moved to Scotland. New Year approached. Alice jetted to China; William celebrated in Norway with friends. Both returned for Old New Year.
«Alicewhats this?» William gaped at her. «You lookyounger.»
Indeed, shed shed weight, wrinkles gone, smooth as in her youth.
«What did it cost?»
She laughed wildly, then sobered.
«Everything. Absolutely everything.» She held out bare fingers, emptied her purse. «Chinese magicmassages, needlesterribly dear.»
She wouldnt age beside young Thomas.
«Youre old. Look at me,» she taunted, spinning before William.
«But were the same agearent you?»
She only laughed.
The treatments drained her funds. Then William had a heart attack, aged overnight, couldnt work.
«God, is that what Id look like?» Alice muttered, eyeing him, then her mirror.
«Alice, sit with me,» hed plead.
«Cant. Times money, you know.»
One day at the shop, Thomas handed her a folder.
«Read this.»
«What is it? No time for papers»
«Alice, these papers mean you own nothing now. I do. Youre done.»
At the solicitors, she was told:
«Alice, Im sorry, but its airtight. Your assistants covered every angle. Your signatures are on every transfer.»
«But I thought it was temporarywhile William was ill!»
«You shouldve read themor hired me sooner.»
«At your prices?» she sneered.
«You skimped. Now blame me?»
Defeated, she trudged home, then brightened.
«I need money. Lots.»
«Alicewhat of the business?» William asked weakly.
«Gone. But I need cash»
«Theres none left.»
«The flat, then.»
«Nonot that!»
«Well sell it, buy something cheaper.»
«And whatll I do?»
«Ill buy you a computer. Live virtually.» She cackled.
Alice knew shed rise again, like a phoenixsell the flat, start anew. She always landed on her feet.
