By the Broken Trough
From childhood, Alice knew she was beautifuleveryone said so.
«Our little girl is so pretty, she stands out among the other girls,» her mother would gush to colleagues and friends.
And truly, no one could deny it. Though the neighbour did mutter sceptically,
«All children are pretty. But when they grow up, things changenot always for the better.»
Alice blossomed, and by the time she reached sixth form, she was a striking beautytall, graceful, and painfully aware of her power. Boys watched her with longing, eager to fulfil her whims.
After school, she failed to get into university, though she dreamed of higher education, and settled for college instead. Back then, tuition was free, so she earned her diploma in retail management.
«Darling,» her mother said, «why dont I get you a job at the factory lab? Its easy workno heavy lifting, and youre far too delicate for that anyway.»
«But what about my diploma?»
«Oh, who even works in their field these days? And why would you want to waste time in retail?» Her mother, who had spent her whole life at the factory alongside Alices father, had made up her mind.
Alice took the job. By then, she had only grown more beautiful, her confidence unshaken. She fell for Edward, an engineer from the next department. Their romance was fiery and briefsoon enough, Edward proposed.
«Before someone steals you away, marry me,» he said with a smile, offering his hand. «Will you?»
«Yes,» she replied, delighted.
Their wedding was like any otherheld in the factory canteen. In those days, everyone had identical celebrations: modest, but crowded.
Not long after, Alice realised she was pregnant.
«Eddie, were going to have a baby,» she told him.
«Thats wonderful! Im so happy, Alice,» he said, kissing her.
Their daughter, Sophie, was bornjust as pretty as her mother. Everyone was happy.
Time passed. Sophie grew, went to nursery, while Alice and Edward worked. After maternity leave, Alice changednot in looks, but in spirit. For some reason, she began acting like a queen, belittling Edward more each day. He spent most of his time with Sophie, picking her up from nursery, reading her bedtime stories, tucking her in.
Alice was busy. She came home late, blaming work, though Edward knew no one in the lab stayed overtime. He bit his tongue, fearing her explosive temper, not wanting Sophie to witness their fights.
«Edward, we saw your wife with the chief engineer at that posh restaurant,» colleagues murmured. He just lowered his eyes.
«Whyd you marry a beauty, mate?» friends asked. «You know a cake that pretty wont stay uneaten for long…»
It was no secretAlice thrived in high society, far above her humble engineer husband. Soon, she was seeing Anthony, a ministry official, who spoiled her with jewels and designer gifts.
Edward became a shadow of a man, handling all the chores, raising Sophie alone. Alice only gave orders: study, shop, cook, clean. He never considered divorcefor Sophies sake.
Then came the turbulent times. Anthonys position crumbled, along with many others.
«Alice, if anyone asks about me, say nothing,» he warned. «I dont think well meet again.»
He was right. Anthony vanishedarrested, she learned. Worse, she was hauled in for questioning, terrified, pleading ignorance.
They let her go for lack of evidence, but her reputation was ruined. She returned home feeling like shed swum through sewage. Everything was lost. Their savings had drained awayEdward had sold half their possessions just to keep her afloat. The factory sacked her. Edward refused to divorce, for Sophies sake, but they lived as strangers.
He almost left oncebut feared hurting Sophie. She needed her mother, however flawed.
Alice, sensing his thoughts, swallowed her pride.
«Eddie, dont leave me. Forgive meit wont happen again.»
He stayed, but couldnt bear to touch her.
«You slept with others.»
«I did it for us,» she lied.
Soon, she strayed again, finding a young assistant, Jake. Old contacts and sharp wits helped her rebuild in the new economy. She borrowed money, rented a souvenir stall in a tourist hotspot, and within years owned two shops.
«Eddie, meet me at the airportIm flying to Turkey for stock,» she ordered. «Then Poland. Honestly, quit your job and help me.»
«No. Im no salesman,» he said.
«I need a mans strength!»
«Plenty of unemployed blokes around,» he replied flatly.
So she took Jake as her assistantand lover. Money flowed, but she and Edward remained housemates. He knew about Jake, sometimes mentioned it.
«If you paid me attention, I wouldnt need him,» she snapped.
«You disgust me,» he said.
Years flew. Sophie married and moved to Scotland. New Year approachedAlice jetted to China, Edward celebrated in Norway with friends. They reunited for Old New Year.
«Alice, what?» Edward stared. «You look younger!»
She didno sagging belly, slender as ever.
«How much did that cost?»
She laughed hysterically, then sobered.
«Everything. I gave it all.» She held out bare fingers, emptied her handbag. «Chinese magicmassages, acupuncture. Worth every penny.»
She couldnt bear ageing beside Jake.
«Youre old. Look at me,» she taunted Edward, spinning.
«Were the same age!»
But she just laughed. The treatments drained her funds, and business slowed. Then Edward had a heart attack, retired, aged overnight.
«God, is that what Id look like?» Alice murmured, eyeing him, then the mirror.
«Alice, stay with me,» hed plead.
«I havent got time. Money waits for no one.»
One day, Jake met her at the shop with a folder.
«Read this.»
«What? I dont do paperwork.»
«Its serious. You own nothing now. I do. Youre fired.»
At the solicitors, she heard the same.
«Mrs. Whitmore, I cant help. Jakes papers are flawless. Your signatures are all there.»
«But I thought it was temporary!»
«You shouldve read themor hired me sooner.»
«At your prices?»
«You skimped. Dont blame me.»
She slunk home, beaten. Then a thought struck her.
«I need money. Loads of it.»
«Alice, what about the business?» Edward asked weakly.
«Gone. But I need cash.»
«Weve got nothing left.»
«The flat, then.»
«Nonot that!»
«Well sell it, buy something cheaper. Youll get a computerlive online.»
«What life?»
«The virtual one,» she cackled.
Alice knew shed rise again, like a phoenix, rebuild from ashes. She always did.
