**The Girl with the Dowry**
I was in the garden with Nina, planting seedlings, when the gate creaked open. Paul, lookis that him? Nina wiped her brow, squinting toward the lane.
Yeah, its Adrian. And hes got a big bag with him. We exchanged a glance. Nina rolled her eyes.
Looks like hes packed his things. Did Emily finally kick him out?
I dusted the soil off my hands and went to meet my brother while Nina stayed put, arms crossed. She never had much patience for Adrians antics. From the corner of my eye, I saw him wave at her with that sheepish grin of hislike a scolded terrier. Nina gave a half-hearted wave back, muttering under her breath, Serves him right. Now hes slinking home with his tail between his legs.
I didnt talk to him long. Just enough to confirm what wed guessedEmily had thrown him out. But, typical Adrian, he spun it like *she* was the unreasonable one.
I was right, I told Nina when I returned. Emilys had enough. But you know himalways blames everyone else.
Can you blame her? Nina huffed. The drinking, the shoutingand hes raised a hand to her more than once. She put up with it longer than I wouldve. She paused, thoughtful. Still, I get why she clung to him. Six years younger, decent-looking And after her first marriage, she thought shed never have kids. Then along came Adrian, and boomlittle Sophie.
Aye, but lets be honest, I said with a smirk. You know what they called her at her old job? *The Gorgon*.
Ninas eyebrows shot up. Really?
Dead serious. And the daft part? Shed laugh along with them.
Nina shook her head. Sense of humour or not, it doesnt make up for a man like him.
Id met Emily years ago when she worked dispatch for a cab firm. She was married to the manager, a bloke named Danielhandsome, charismatic, but no interest in kids. Then Adrian swanned in one day, all charm and cheeky grins, and before we knew it, Emily was filing for divorce.
What was I supposed to do? shed said at the time. My clocks ticking, and Daniel refused to even see a doctor. Then Adrian comes along, and three months inboom, pregnant. Proves it was never me, doesnt it?
When Adrian announced he was marrying Emily, Mum was thrilled. I was less so.
Youre sure about this? Id asked. Shes older, and
Not a looker? So what? Hed grinned. Shes loaded. Her aunt runs a consultancy. Got me a cushy job there. And her mums family in Dorset? They send her parcels every monthposh biscuits, designer clothes for Sophie, even cash for bills. Oh, and the *house*. Not huge, but done up proper. Plus a two-storey cottage out in the Cotswolds with an orchard. Shes got *dowry*, mate.
Dowrys grand, Id said. But do you actually *love* her?
Course! Shes a laugh. And her roast dinners? Top-notch.
We all knew the truth.
Things were fine at first. Little Sophie was born healthy, and for a while, Adrian played the doting dad. But bit by bit, the cracks showed. Weekends at the cottage? Hed drop Emily off, then vanishalways some excuse about odd jobs.
Then came the trip to Dorset. Emilys mum had scrimped for years to send them. Adrian came back bragging about how her family doted on him. Her mum wouldnt stop feeding me, hed crowed. Put on three pounds!
But the lies piled up. One Sunday, Emily rang, asking if he was with us.
He left hours ago, shed said, voice tight. Said your sink burst.
I had to cover for him. Again.
Then Mum dropped the bombshell. A woman named Lydia had turned up at her door with two little girls. Your granddaughters, shed said. Adrians kids.
Emily found out soon enough. Good old English gossip.
After everything! shed screamed at him. The job, the holidays, the *car*and this is how you repay me? Get out. *Now*. And dont bother showing up to work MondayIll make sure Aunt Margaret knows exactly what you are.
Adrian whined, but she wasnt having it. Youve got another familygo to *them*.
Turns out, Lydia had already moved on.
So here he was, back on our doorstep, suitcase in hand. I shook my head. All that handed to him on a silver platter, and he pissed it away for a bit of skirt.
**Lesson learned:** Greed and stupidity make poor bedfellows. And a man who chases too much ends up with nothing.
