**By the Broken Bucket**
From childhood, Alice knew she was beautiful, for everyone around her remarked upon it.
“Our little girl is quite the pretty one, stands out among the other lasses,” her mother would cheerfully tell her colleagues and acquaintances.
And indeed, no one could deny itthough their neighbour, Mrs. Wilkins, remained sceptical.
“All children are sweet at that age,” shed mutter, “but looks fade as they grow. Not all, mind you, but it happens.”
Alice grew tall and striking by her final year at school, though her pride and whims made her difficult. She knew boys would do anything for her favour, their gazes lingering as she passed.
University eluded her, so she settled for college, earning a diploma in retail management.
“Love,” her mother said, “let me get you a position in the factory lab. Light work, no heavy liftingbetter than slogging in some shop.”
“But my diploma”
“Oh, who works in their field these days?” Her mother dismissed it. Both parents had spent their lives at the factory, and so would Alice.
She became a lab technician, her beauty only deepening with time. Then she met Victor, an engineer from the next workshop. Their love burned fast and bright, and soon he proposed.
“Before someone steals you away, marry me,” he said, smiling.
“I will,” she answered gladly.
The wedding was modest, as most were thenheld in the factory canteen, simple but crowded with friends. Before long, Alice learned she was expecting.
“Victor, were to have a child,” she told him.
“Splendid news!” He kissed her in delight.
Their daughter, Sophie, was born, pretty as her mother. For a time, all was well.
But Alice changed after maternity leavenot in looks, but in temper. She began treating Victor like a servant, while Sophie became his charge. He walked her to nursery, read her bedtime stories, shielded her from her mothers sharp tongue.
Alice stayed late at work, though Victor knew the lab ran no overtime. He dared not challenge hershed rage through the flat, and he wouldnt have Sophie witness it.
“Victor, your wife was seen dining with the chief engineer,” colleagues murmured. Hed only lower his eyes.
“Why marry a beauty?” friends asked. “A pretty cake wont stay uneaten long…”
It was no secret Alice moved in higher circles now, while Victor remained an ordinary engineer. Then she took up with Anthony Marsh, a ministry official. He spoiled her with jewels and finery.
Victor withered into a quiet, beaten man. He cooked, cleaned, and cared for Sophie while Alice dictated orders. Divorce never crossed his mindhe feared hurting their girl.
Then the winds changed. The government reshuffled, and Anthonys seat crumbled beneath him.
“Alice, if they ask about me, say little,” he warned. “Our times running out.”
Soon after, he vanishedarrested, she learned. Then they came for her. She wept, swore ignorance, but her name was tarnished. Released for lack of evidence, she returned home feeling soiled.
Her savings were gone. Victor had sold half their possessions to support her during the ordeal. The factory dismissed her. He refused to divorcefor Sophies sakebut they lived as strangers.
Once, he nearly left. Alice swallowed her pride.
“Dont abandon me,” she pleaded. “It wont happen again.”
He stayed, but recoiled from her touch.
“You slept with others.”
“For this family!” she shot back.
Yet she strayed again, finding a young assistant, Adrian. Old contacts and sharp wits helped her rebuildfirst a souvenir stall, then shops.
“Victor, fetch me from the airport,” shed order. “Give up that dreary jobhelp me instead.”
“Im no tradesman,” he refused.
“Then Ill find someone who is.”
Adrian became her lover and partner. Money flowed, but Victor knew.
“If youd paid me any mind”
“You repulse me,” he said coldly.
Years passed. Sophie married and moved north. Alice jetted to China for deals; Victor celebrated New Year in Scotland with friends.
Returning, he stared. “Alicewhats happened to you?”
She stood youthful, her plumpness melted away.
“What did this cost?”
“Everything,” she laughed, empty hands outstretched. “Chinese treatmentsacupuncture, massages. Worth every penny.”
She wouldnt age beside Adrian. Victor sickeneda heart attack left him frail.
“Sit with me,” hed ask.
“Time is money,” shed scoff.
Then came the blow. Adrian met her at the shop, smirking.
“Read this.”
She barely glanced. “What is it?”
“Proof I own it all now. Youre finished.”
Lawyers confirmed it. Shed signed her empire away.
Returning home, she announced, “We need money.”
“Theres nothing left.”
“The flat, then.”
Victor paled. “No”
“Well buy something smaller. Youll have a computerlive virtually.” She laughed.
Alice was certain: sell the flat, rise again like a phoenix. The game wasnt over yet.
