**The Plain Heiress**
«Paul, look Is that David?» Nina, digging in the garden, glanced up at the sound of the gate creaking open.
«Yes, its him. And hes got a big bag with him,» Paul replied, exchanging a knowing look with his wife.
«Looks like hes packed his things Did his wife, Marianne, finally kick him out? Serves him right, the philanderer»
Paul brushed the dirt from his handshe and Nina had been planting seedlingsand went to greet his brother. Nina stayed where she was, watching. «Paul will tell me whats happened Why should I rush to greet that arrogant fool?» she thought. But just as she was about to return to work, she saw David wave at her with a stiff, guilty smile. She waved back, thinking, «Like a cat caught stealing cream Must be in real trouble if hes turned up here unannounced.»
Paul spoke briefly with his brother before David retreated into the house.
«You were right, Nina,» Paul muttered when he returned. «Marianne threw him out. Not that hed admit faultits always someone elses doing with him. But we know the truth. Shed had enough.»
«Can you blame her? She turned a blind eye for yearshis drinking, the rows. And he raised his hand to her more than once. Still, I understand why she put up with it. Shes six years older, plain as a post, and hes got the looks. And after struggling to conceive with her first husband, she finally had a daughter with David. No wonder she was terrified of losing him.» Nina sighed.
«With her looks You know what they called her at her old job?» Paul smirked. «The Wicked Witch!»
Nina raised her brows. «Really?»
«Absolutely. And shed laugh along with them.»
«Shes got a good sense of humour, Ill give her that. But humour doesnt fix a marriage like theirs,» Nina murmured.
…Paul had first met Marianne at work. She was twenty-eight then, a dispatcher for a taxi firm, while he repaired the drivers radios. She was married to the young director, Maxa charming, handsome man. Theyd been wed over five years with no children. Paul had always wondered why a man like Max would settle for someone so plain and brusque.
Then one day, Pauls younger brother David dropped by. It was Mariannes birthday, and she invited the staff to celebrate in the office. Theyd had a fine time until Max was called away. Marianne and Davidwho flirted with every woman in sighthit it off instantly. She roared at his jokes, and he basked in her laughter, spinning even wilder tales.
Paul never noticed the spark between them, but it happened. By March, Marianne announced her divorce.
«Whats left for me in this marriage? My clocks ticking, and still no children. I got checkedeverythings fine. But Max refuses to see a doctor. Guess kids arent in his plans. And everyone knows hes got a wandering eye. They all pity me’Look at the Wicked Witch, what does he see in her?'»
When David told his family he was marrying, his parents were delightedPaul was stunned.
«Who, David?»
«Marianne!» he grinned.
«But shes years older, and»
«Plain, you mean? So what? Shes loaded! Her aunt runs a design firmpromised me a job. Her mum and brother live in Switzerland, run their own business. They send her parcels every montheverything from socks to caviar! Her flats small but done up lovely. And they wire her francs for the bills. Oh, and shes got a two-storey cottage outside London, big garden, orchardweve stayed there. A bride with a dowry!»
«A dowrys fine, but do you even love her?» Paul asked.
«Course! Shes got a cracking personality!» David beamed. «And she cooks a mean roast!»
What could anyone say to that?
They married soon after.
When Marianne discovered she was pregnant, her joy was boundless.
«I told Max it was him! Three months with David, and here we are!»
Their daughter was born healthy, bringing joy to all. Once she turned six months, Marianne and David began leaving her with his parents on weekends while they worked at the cottageendless chores, with the garden and orchard.
Nina once heard Marianne complain that David often dropped her off, then vanished back to the city, claiming work. He always had cash from odd jobs. Paul and Nina sometimes helped her, but the years flewsoon little Emily was three.
They celebrated with family at Mariannes flat. The table groaned with Swiss delicacies, gifts from abroad. Emily wore designer clothesanother present from her gran. But David kept slipping away to take calls. Marianne glared.
«David, enough! Who keeps ringing? Weve got guests!»
«Just work, nagging me,» he muttered, avoiding her eyes.
Two years later, David worked with Marianne at the design firmeasy job, good pay. Life seemed sweet.
Then David told Paul they were visiting Switzerland.
«Her folks want to meet Emilyonly seen her on Skype. Her mum saved for years to pay for it. And theyre dying to see their favourite son-in-law» He smirked.
The trip was a triumph. David couldnt stop gushing.
«Her mum doted on me! David this, David that Fed me till I gained three kilos!»
«My precious son-in-law!» Marianne would say, ruffling his hair.
He dined out on those stories for months.
Then one Saturday, as Nina cleaned, the doorbell rang. Her mother-in-law answereda young woman with two little girls stood outside.
«Beggars?» Nina wondered. But they were well-dressed.
Her mother-in-law returned pale, shutting herself in her room. Later, hushed arguing.
The next Sunday, Marianne called. «Is David there?»
«No» Paul frowned.
«Gone already? He said your tap burstrushed off to help.»
«My tap?»
Silence. Then Mariannes voice turned cold. «Right. Got it.»
Paul called David. «Next time you lie, warn me! Marianne rangI had no clue what youd told her. She knows you lied. Where you were is your business, but howll you explain it to her?»
Their mother overheard. «Paul whats happening with David and Marianne?» She hesitated. «Last week, a womanLucy, his old flamecame with two girls. Said theyre his. My granddaughters.» Tears spilled. «Two families? Deceiving his wife? What now? If Marianne finds out»
She didgood souls told her. Her beloved husband had another woman, children, all along.
«After all me and my family did for you!» she screamed. «A job, the cottage, the car, the flat, Switzerland! Favourite son-in-law! How do I tell my mother? Pack your things and go! And find another jobIll make sure Aunt sacks you tomorrow!»
«But where will I go, love? I cant live without you!»
«Youve got another family!»
«Lucys shacked up with some bloke now»
«Not my problem.»
When David slunk home with his bags, Paul thought, «What a foolto throw it all away for cheap thrills, left with nothing but regrets. David stayed with them for a week, sleeping on the couch, avoiding everyones eyes. He mumbled excuses, then one morning slipped away without a word, leaving behind a half-empty suitcase. Paul found it later, stashed under the stairsinside, a childs hairband, pink and frayed, not Emilys. He stared at it, then quietly tossed it in the fire. Nina never asked. They both knew some truths were better left buried.
