**Diary Entry October 12th, 2023**
Alice had been a mistress. Marriage hadnt favoured her. She remained unmarried until thirty, then finally decided to find a man. At first, she didnt know Paul was married, but soon enough, he stopped hiding itonce he realised shed grown attached.
Yet Alice never reproached him. Instead, she cursed herself for the affair and her weakness. She felt flawed, as if shed failed by not securing a husband sooner. Time was slipping away.
Not that she was unappealingno beauty, but pleasant-looking, slightly plump, which perhaps made her seem older. The relationship went nowhere. She didnt want to remain Pauls mistress, yet couldnt leave him. The thought of being alone terrified her.
One day, her cousin Simon dropped by. He was passing through London on business, stopping for a few hours. Over lunch, they chatted like children, catching up. Alice confessed everything, even shedding a few tears.
Then her neighbour knocked, asking Alice to admire some new purchases. She stepped out for twenty minutes. Just then, the doorbell rang. Simon answered, expecting Alicethey hadnt locked the door. On the threshold stood Paul, who froze at the sight of a burly man in joggers and a vest, munching a ham sandwich.
«Alice home?» Paul managed.
«Shes in the bath,» Simon lied smoothly.
«Sorry, who are you?» Paul stammered.
«Her husband. Common-law. For now And you are?» Simon grabbed Pauls collar. «Youre not that married bloke she mentioned, are you? Listen here. Show your face again, and Ill toss you down the stairs. Understood?»
Paul wrenched free and bolted.
When Alice returned, Simon recounted the visit.
«Whatve you done? Who asked you?» she cried. «He wont come back now.» She sank onto the sofa, face in hands.
«Good riddance. Enough moping. Ive got a decent chap in minda widower back in our village. Women swarm him, but he keeps them at arms length. Needs time alone, he says. After this trip, Ill fetch you. Well visit. Ill introduce you.»
«What? No, Simon, I cant. Hes a stranger. Its humiliating.»
«Humiliating? Sleeping with a married mans shameful. Meeting a free one isnt. Just come. Its Lucys birthday.»
Days later, they arrived in the village. Simons wife, Lucy, had set up a garden feast by the shed. Neighbours and friends gathered, including Simons matethe widower, Alfie. Alice knew the locals but had never met Alf.
After a warm evening, Alice returned to London, noting how quiet and gentle Alfie was. «Still grieving his wife, poor man. Few are that tender-hearted,» she thought.
A week later, her doorbell rang unexpectedly. She opened itAlfie stood there, holding a bag.
«Hope you dont mind. I was in town shopping. Thought Id drop by,» he mumbled, rehearsed.
Alice invited him in, baffled but polite. Over tea, they discussed weather and market prices. As he left, lingering in the hallway, he turned abruptly.
«If I leave without saying this, Ill regret it. Alice, Ive thought of you all week. Swear it. Couldnt wait till the weekend. Got your address from Simon»
She blushed, staring down.
«We barely know each other.»
«Doesnt matter. Unless you find me off-putting? Mind if I say you now? Im no prize, mind. Got a little girleight. Shes with her gran now.» His hands trembled.
«A daughters lovely. Always wanted one,» Alice murmured.
Encouraged, Alfie took her hands, drew her close, and kissed her. When he pulled back, her eyes glistened.
«Did I upset you?»
«Quite the opposite. Never expected It felt sweet. Safe. And not stolen.»
They met every weekend after. Two months later, they married and settled in the village. Alice found work at a nursery. Within a year, she bore a daughter. Two girls grew up in their homeboth cherished, both loved equally. Alfie and Alice seemed to grow younger with joy, their love deepening like aged wine.
At gatherings, Simon still teased her:
«Well, Al, what dyou think of the husband I dug up for you? Glowing, you are! Never doubt your big brother.»
**Lesson:** Sometimes the wrong roads lead us exactly where were meant to beif were brave enough to take the turn.
