The Plain Heiress
«Paul, look Is that Edward?» Nina, digging in the garden, glanced up at the sound of the gate creaking open.
«Yes, its him. And hes carrying a big bag,» Paul muttered. The couple exchanged knowing looks.
«Looks like hes packed his things. Do you think Emilys finally thrown him out? Serves the philanderer right.»
Paul brushed the soil from his handshe and his wife had been planting seedlingsand went to greet his brother. Nina stayed where she was, watching from a distance. «Paul will tell me later. Why should I rush over to that self-absorbed fool?» she thought, about to resume her work, when Edward gave her an awkward, guilty wave. She waved back, thinking, «Like a scolded cat So he *has* done something wrong, and now hes turned up on his relatives doorstep like a bolt from the blue.»
Paul spoke with his brother briefly before returning to the garden, while Edward trudged inside.
«You were right, Nina,» Paul said when he came back. «Emilys kicked him out. But good luck getting the truth out of himits always poor Emilys fault. Though we know better. She mustve had enough.»
«Can you blame her? She turned a blind eye for years to his drinking and shouting. And he raised his hand to her more than once! I dont blame hershe thought shed struck gold: six years younger, handsome. And she had a daughter with him after failing to conceive with her first husband for five years. No wonder she was afraid to lose him.» Nina sighed.
«Well, with *her* looks Do you know what they called her at her old job?» Paul smirked. «The Wicked Witch!»
Ninas eyebrows shot up.
«Really?»
«Yes. And she just laughed and answered to it!»
«Shes got a sense of humour, Ill give her that. But even that doesnt help when your home lifes like *that*,» Nina murmured.
…Paul had first met Emily at work. She was twenty-eight then, a dispatcher for a taxi firm, while he repaired and tuned their radios. She was married to the young director of the company, a charming man named Richard. Theyd been wed five years but had no children. Paul had been surprised that such a good-looking fellow had such a plain, brash wife.
One day, Pauls younger brother Edward dropped by. It was Emilys birthday, and shed invited the lads and the dispatchers to celebrate right there in the office. Theyd had a fine timeuntil Richard was called away. Then Emily and Edward, who flirted shamelessly with every woman, struck up a quick rapport. She laughed at his jokes, and he, basking in her attention, kept them coming.
Paul never noticed the spark between them, but it happened. It was November. By March, Emily announced she and Richard were divorcing.
«Whats left in this marriage? My clocks ticking, and still no baby. *I* got checkedIm fine. But Richard refuses to see a doctor. Children arent part of his plans. And hes cheating, I know it. Everyone looks at me like Im a fool. Pointing, whispering, Look at the Wicked Witchwhat does he even see in her?»
When Edward told his family he was getting married, his parents were delighted. His brother frowned.
«To whom?»
«Emily!» Edward grinned.
«But shes years older, and»
«Plain, you mean? So what! Shes loaded. Her aunt runs a design firmEmily says shell get me a job there. Her mother and brother live in France, run their own business. They send parcels every monthsocks, designer clothes, even foie gras! Her flats lovely tootwo bedrooms, fully renovated. And they send euros to cover the bills. The house is in her mothers name, but theres also a two-storey cottage outside London with a garden and orchard. Weve been there A bride with a dowry!»
«A dowrys fine, but do you *love* her?» Paul asked.
«Of course! Shes got a cracking personality!» Edward beamed. «And she cooks like a dream!»
The family exchanged glances. What could you say to that?
Soon, Emily and Edward married.
When Emily discovered she was pregnant, she was overjoyed.
«I *told* Richard the problem was him! Three months with Edward, and here we are!»
The baby girl was born healthy, bringing joy to parents and grandparents alike. Once she turned six months old, Emily and Edward started leaving her with her grandmother on weekends while they went to the cottage. The garden and orchard kept them busy.
But Emily once confided in Nina that Edward often dropped her there and returned to London, claiming work. He freelanced, so money was never short. Paul and Nina sometimes visited to help Emily.
Time flewsoon little Sophie was three. They celebrated at Emilys flat with Edwards family and friends. The table was laden with delicacies, thanks to her French relatives and her own efforts. The birthday girl wore designer clothes, gifts from her grandmother abroad. But her father kept slipping away to take calls. Emily eyed him suspiciously.
«Edward, really? Who keeps ringing? Weve got guests!»
«Just work, nagging me» He wouldnt meet her gaze.
Two years passed. Edward now worked at the design firm with Emilylight duties, good pay. But life had more surprises.
Once, chatting with his brother, Edward mentioned they were all going to France.
«Mums saved three years for this tripwants to see Sophie properly, not just on video calls. And shes desperate to dote on her favourite son-in-law» He smirked.
The trip was a triumph. Edward regaled the family with tales, thrilled by the adventure.
«Mum couldnt get enough of me! Darling Edward this, darling Edward that Piled my plate highIve put on three kilos!»
«Her favourite son-in-law!» Emily laughed, ruffling his hair.
Memories of that trip fuelled many a dinner-table boast.
One Saturday, while cleaning, Nina heard the doorbell. Before she could answer, her mother-in-law hurried past.
«Ill get it.»
Nina peered out and saw a young woman with two little girls at the gate.
«Beggars?» she wondered. «No, too well-dressed Who are they?» Her mother-in-law spoke with them for five minutes before shutting the gate and returning, pale and shaken.
«Who was it?» Nina asked.
«Oh just looking for someone.» The older woman retreated to her room.
Nina overheard hushed conversation between her in-lawswords not meant for her ears.
«Hello, Paul!» Emily called one Sunday. «Is Edward there?»
«No, not here»
«Already left? Hell be home soon, then. Hows the tap? Fixed the flood?»
«What flood?»
«Yesterday! Edward dashed over at five, said youd calledburst pipe, needed help»
«Oh» Paul faltered.
A pause. Then, quietly: «Right. I see.»
After hanging up, Paul rang his brother.
«If youre spinning lies, at least clue me in! Emily calledI didnt know what youd told her. She knows you lied. Where you were is your business, but how will you explain yourself to her?»
Their mother overheard.
«Paul, whats happened? Whats going on with Edward and Emily?» She hesitated, then whispered, «Last week, a woman named LydiaEdwards friendcame with two little girls. Said she wanted me to meet my granddaughters. Claims theyre Edwards.» She burst into tears. «How could he? A second family, deceiving Emily? Even children! What now? If Emily finds out»
She didgood souls made sure of it. Her beloved husband had been carrying on with another woman since before theyd met. Two children.
«After all my familys done for you!» Emily screamed when the truth came out. «The job, the cottage, the car, the flat, France! Favourite son-in-lawwhat a joke! How do I tell Mum? Pack your things and *go*! Today! And find another jobIll tell Auntie tomorrow, and youll be out on your ear!»
«Where will I go, love? Forgive meI love you! I cant live without you»
«Youve got another familyfigure it out!»
«Lydias shacked up with some bloke now»
«Not my problem.»
When Edward, tail between his legs, arrived at his parents with his bags, Paul thought, «What follyto throw away a family, every comfort handed to you, and end up like that fool in the fairy taleleft with nothing but broken dreams. Edward stayed with his parents for a week, sleeping on the couch, quiet and subdued. He avoided Ninas gaze whenever he saw her in the garden, and when Paul offered him a few pounds for meals, he took them without a word. One evening, he knocked on Emilys door to beg again, but she refused to open it, her voice cold through the wood: Ive washed my hands of you. By the end of the month, he vanishedno note, no call. Months later, a postcard arrived at Paul and Ninas from a coastal town up north: *Found work in a garage. Dont worry. Tell Mum Im sorry.* The handwriting was shaky, the ink smeared, as if written in haste or rain. Nina kept the card on the windowsill awhile, then tucked it into a drawer, next to a faded photo of Sophies third birthdayEdward grinning, Emily beaming, life still unbroken. The garden grew wild that summer, and no one went to the cottage.
