**Diary Entry: The Plain Heiress**
I glanced up from the garden as the gate creaked open. «Paul, lookthats David, isnt it?» Nina brushed the soil from her hands, squinting.
Paul nodded. «And hes lugging a big bag.» They exchanged knowing looks.
«Looks like hes packed his things. Do you think Martha finally kicked him out? Serves him right, the flirt.»
Paul dusted off his handstheyd been planting seedlingsand went to greet his brother while Nina stayed put. *Let Paul deal with him. Why should I rush to welcome that arrogant sod?* She was about to return to work when David gave her an awkward wave, his smile strained. She waved back, thinking, *Like a guilty tabby. Must be in real trouble if hes turning up here unannounced.*
Paul didnt talk to him long before returning to the garden, leaving David to head inside.
«You were right,» Paul said. «Martha threw him out. Not that hell admit faultoh no, its always her to blame. But we know the truth. She mustve had enough.»
Nina sighed. «Can you blame her? She put up with his drinking and tantrums for years. And he even raised a hand to her a few times. Still, I get itshe landed a man six years younger, handsome, and gave him a daughter when her first husband left her barren for five years. No wonder she clung to him.»
Paul smirked. «With her looks? You know what they called her at her old job? *The Witch!*»
Ninas eyebrows shot up. «Really?»
«Oh yes. And shed laugh it off, answering to it like it was nothing.»
«Shes got a sense of humour, Ill give her that. But even that doesnt help when your marriage is…» Nina trailed off.
…Paul first met Martha at work. She was twenty-eight then, a dispatcher for a taxi firm, while he repaired their radios. She was married to the companys young director, Maxfive years together, no children. Paul couldnt fathom why a charmer like Max had wed such a plain, brash woman.
Then one day, DavidPauls younger brotherdropped by. It was Marthas birthday, so she invited the lads and dispatchers to celebrate in the office. They had a laugh, and when Max got called away, Davidalways one to flirthad Martha in stitches with his jokes.
Paul never saw the spark fly, but by March, Martha announced her divorce.
«Whats left in this marriage?» shed said. «My clocks ticking, and still no baby. I got checkedIm fine. Max refuses to see a doctor. Kids arent in his plans. And hes cheatingI know it. Everyone pities me behind my back, whispering, *Look at the Witchwhat does he see in her?*»
When David told his family he was getting married, his parents rejoiced. Paul frowned. «To who?»
«Martha!» David grinned.
«But shes years older, and»
«Plain? So what! Shes loaded. Her aunt runs a design firmsaid shed get me a job there. Her mum and brother are in Israel, running a business. They send her parcels every monthsocks, underwear, even caviar! Shes got a nice flattwo beds, done up posh. And her mum sends pounds to cover the bills. Oh, and a two-storey country house with a massive garden. Weve been there. Basically, shes an heiress!»
«Fine, but do you even love her?» Paul asked.
«Course! Shes a laugh. And cooks a mean roast!»
They all exchanged glances. Hard to argue with that.
Soon, Martha and David married.
When Martha found out she was pregnant, she was overjoyed.
«Told Max it was him! Three months with David andbambaby on the way!»
Little Emily was born healthy, bringing joy to both families. Once she turned six months, Martha and David started leaving her with the grandparents on weekends while they worked on the country house. The garden was huge, always needing attention.
But Martha once confided in Nina that David often dropped her off and vanished back to town, claiming work. He did odd jobs, always flush with cash. Paul and Nina helped her when they could.
Time flewsoon, Emily turned three. They celebrated with family at Marthas place, the table laden with Israeli delicacies from her relatives. Emily wore designer clothesgifts from her gran abroad. But David kept slipping out to take calls, earning suspicious glares from Martha.
«David, really? Who keeps ringing? Weve got guests!»
«Just work, nagging me…» He wouldnt meet her eyes.
Two years later, David worked with Martha at the design firmeasy job, good pay. Then came the big news: a family trip to Israel.
«Mums saved for years to fly us out. Shes dying to meet Emilyonly seen her on Skype. And her precious son-in-law, of course.» He smirked.
The trip was a triumph. David couldnt stop gushing.
«Her mum wouldnt leave me alone! *David, darling…* Fed me till I gained three kilos.»
«My perfect husband,» Martha cooed, ruffling his hair.
He dined out on those stories for months.
One Saturday, while cleaning, Nina heard the doorbell. Before she could answer, her mother-in-law hurried out. Nina peered through the windowa young woman with two little girls stood at the gate.
*Charity collectors?* But they were well-dressed. Her mother-in-law spoke to them, then returned pale and shaken.
«Who was that?» Nina asked.
«Oh… just someone looking for a bloke.» She fled to her room.
Later, hushed voices drifted from her in-laws room.
Then came the call.
«Paul, is David there?» Martha asked one Sunday.
«No… why?»
«He left already? Said you rangburst pipe, needed help?»
Paul hesitated. «Right…»
A pause. Then, coldly: «I see.»
Paul rang David straight after.
«If youre spinning lies, at least clue me in. Martha calledI had no idea what youd told her. She knows you lied. Where you were is your business, but howre you squirming out of this one?»
His mother overheard.
«Paul, whats going on with David and Martha?» She hesitated, then blurted, «Last week, Lucya friend of hiscame by with two little girls. Said they were his. *Your granddaughters.*» She burst into tears. «Two families? Deceiving Martha all this time? What happens if she finds out?»
She did. Someone tipped her off. Her beloved husband had been carrying on with another womaneven fathering two children.
«After everything my family did for you!» Martha screamed. «The job, the house, the car, the Israel trip! *Perfect son-in-law!* How do I tell my mum? Pack your things and go. Today. And find another jobIll make sure my aunt sacks you tomorrow.»
«Where will I go, love? Forgive meI love you!»
«Youve got another family, havent you?»
«Lucys shacked up with some bloke now…»
«Not my problem.»
…When David slunk home, tail between his legs, Paul thought, *What a foolto throw away everything handed to him on a plate, ending up with nothing. He dropped his suitcase just inside the door, the zipper splitting open like it couldnt bear the weight of his shame any longer. Nina didnt offer to help, didnt speakjust watched as he slumped onto the couch, the same one Martha had reupholstered with her own hands before the Israel trip. The house smelled faintly of cumin and burnt toast, the ghost of meals shared, of a life hed carelessly unraveled. Paul handed him a cup of tea, black and bitter, the way he used to take it before Martha taught him better. No one mentioned the job. No one mentioned the girls. Outside, the wind tugged at the last dry leaves clinging to the garden fence, and David stared at the floor, swallowing the silence like a man condemned.
