**Diary Entry — 12th April**
Alice had always been the other woman. Marriage hadnt favoured hershed stayed single until thirty before finally deciding to find a man. At first, she hadnt known Paul was married, but once shed grown attached, he made no effort to hide it. Yet Alice never blamed him. She only cursed herself for the affair and her weakness. She felt inadequate, like shed failed to secure a husband in time, and the years were slipping away.
Not that she was unattractiveno beauty, perhaps, but pleasant enough, with soft features and a figure that mightve added a few years to her age. The relationship with Paul was going nowhere. Staying as his mistress wasnt what she wanted, but leaving him terrified her. The thought of being alone was worse.
Then, one afternoon, her cousin Steve dropped by unexpectedly. He was in town for business and stopped in for a quick visit. Over tea in the kitchen, they chatted like old times, and Alice confided in him about Paul, tears slipping out as she laid bare her heart. Just then, the neighbour called her over to admire some new purchases. Alice stepped out for twenty minutes.
Thats when the doorbell rang. Steve answered, expecting Aliceonly to find Paul on the doorstep, frozen at the sight of a burly bloke in a tracksuit munching on a ham sandwich.
«Alice home?» Paul managed.
«In the bath,» Steve replied smoothly.
«And you are?» Paul pressed.
«Her husband. Civil partnership, for now.» Steve stepped closer, grabbing Paul by the collar. «You wouldnt be that married sod shes been mooning over, would you? Listen hereif I catch you near her again, Ill toss you down the stairs. Understood?»
Paul fled.
When Alice returned, Steve told her what happened.
«What have you done? Who asked you to interfere?» she cried, sinking onto the sofa. «Hell never come back now.»
«Good,» Steve said bluntly. «Enough of this nonsense. Ive got a decent bloke in mind for youa widower back in our village. Women have been throwing themselves at him since his wife passed, but hes not interested. Reckon he needs time. Ill stop by after my trip, and well go see him.»
Alice balked. «Just like that? Some stranger? No, Steve, I cant. Its humiliating.»
«Humiliating is shacking up with a married man, not meeting a free one. No ones dragging you to bed. Were goingits Lucys birthday soon anyway.»
Days later, they were in the village. Steves wife, Lucy, had set up a garden party by the shed. Neighbours and friends gathered, including Steves matethe widower, Alfie. Alice had never met him before.
After a warm evening, Alice returned to the city, quietly noting how reserved Alfie was. *Poor man, still grieving. Not many like him left.*
A week later, her doorbell rang unexpectedly. There stood Alfie, clutching a bag.
«Hope you dont mind,» he mumbled. «Was in town for errands. Thought Id stop by.»
Alice invited him in, puzzled but polite. Over tea, they skirted around trivial talkweather, market prices. As he left, he hesitated in the hallway, then turned abruptly.
«If I walk out now without saying it, Ill hate myself. Alice, I havent stopped thinking about you all week. Had to see you.»
She flushed. «We barely know each other.»
«Doesnt matter. Unless you find me off-putting? Andmind if we drop the formalities? Im no prize, mind. Got a little girl, eight years old. Shes with her gran now.» His hands trembled slightly.
«A daughters a blessing,» Alice said softly. «Ive always wanted one.»
Encouraged, Alfie took her hands, pulled her close, and kissed her. When he drew back, her eyes shone with tears.
«Was that unpleasant?» he asked.
«No. The opposite. I didnt expect it felt right. Not stolen.»
They met every weekend after that. Two months later, they married and settled in the village. Alice found work at the nursery, and within a year, she had a daughter of her own. Both girls grew up cherished, with love to spare. Alice and Alfie only grew happier with time, their bond deepening like well-aged whisky.
At family gatherings, Steve would nudge Alice with a grin.
«Not bad, eh? Told you Id pick a good one. Youre glowingshould listen to your cousin more often.»
**Lesson learned:** Sometimes the right path doesnt appear until youre shoved onto it. And familyannoying as they can beusually know best.
