**By the Broken Bucket**
From childhood, Emily knew she was beautifuleveryone said so.
Our Emily is such a pretty little thing, stands out from the other girls, her mother would gush to colleagues and friends.
And indeed, no one could deny it. Though one neighbour did remark skeptically, All children are pretty. But some lose their looks as they grownot all, mind you, but it happens.
Emily blossomed, and by secondary school, she was tall, elegant, and striking. Spoilt and haughty, she knew men would do anything for herespecially the boys who gazed at her with longing.
After school, she didnt get into university, though she dreamed of higher education. Instead, she went to college and earned a diploma in retail management.
Love, her mother said, let me get you a job in the factory lab. Its light work, no heavy liftingperfect for someone delicate like you.
But what about my diploma?
Oh, who actually works in their field? And why bother with retail? Her mother, whod spent her whole life at the factory alongside Emilys father, had made up her mind.
Emily became a lab technician. By then, she was even more beautifuland knew her worth. She fell for James, an engineer from another department. Their love was fiery and brief. Soon, James proposed.
Before someone steals you away, marry me, he said, smiling as he offered his heart.
She accepted happily.
Their wedding was like any otherheld in the factory canteen. Back then, in the 80s, everyone had the same modest but crowded celebrations.
Soon after, Emily realised she was pregnant.
James, were going to have a baby, she told him.
Brilliant! Im thrilled, love, he said, hugging her.
Their daughter, Sophie, was bornjust as pretty as her mother. For a while, they were happy.
But time passed. Sophie grew, started nursery, and Emily changednot in looks, but in temperament. She began acting like a queen, belittling James more each day. He, in turn, devoted himself to Sophiepicking her up from nursery, reading bedtime stories, tucking her in.
Emily was always busy. She came home late, claiming overtimethough James knew the lab never kept anyone that long. He bit his tongue, afraid of her temper. He didnt want Sophie hearing their rows.
James, your wife was seen with the lead engineer at that posh restaurant, colleagues whispered. He just looked away.
Whyd you marry a beauty, mate? friends asked. You know a cake that pretty gets shared.
It was no secret Emily moved in higher circles nowfar above James, a simple engineer. She was seeing Anthony, a ministry official, who showered her with jewellery and designer gifts.
James became a quiet, beaten-down husband. He handled everythinghousehold chores, Sophie, while Emily just gave orders: Help Sophie with homework. Buy groceries. Clean. He never considered divorcefor Sophies sake.
Then came the turbulent 90s. Anthonys position crumbledalong with many others.
Emily, if anyone asks about me, keep quiet, he warned. Ive a feeling we wont see each other again.
He was right. Anthony vanishedarrested, she later learned. Then came her turn. Questioned, detained. She begged, swore she knew nothing, but her reputation was ruined.
Released for lack of evidence, she returned home feeling filthy, as if shed swum through sewage. Everything was gone. Savings drained. James sold half their belongings to support her during the ordeal.
She was sacked. James, though estranged, stayed marriedfor Sophie. They lived as flatmates. He almost left once but feared hurting Sophie.
Emily, swallowing her pride, pleaded, Dont go. Forgive me. It wont happen again.
He stayed, but recoiled from her.
You slept with others.
For our family! she snapped.
Soon, she strayed againthis time with a young assistant, Tom.
Her old contacts and sharp instincts helped her rebound. Borrowing money, she rented a souvenir stall in a tourist hotspot. Within years, she owned two shops.
James, fetch me from the airportIm off to Turkey for stock, shed order. Or Poland. Quit your job. Help me.
Im no good at sales.
But I need a mans strength.
Plenty of unemployed blokes around, he muttered.
So Tom became her assistantand more. They met in hotels. Money flowed, but she and James remained estranged. He knew.
If youd paid me attention, I wouldnt need Tom, she retorted.
You disgust me, he said.
Years flew. Sophie married and moved to Scotland. New Year came. Emily jetted to China; James celebrated in Sweden with friends.
When they reunited, he stared. Emilywhats this? You look younger.
She did. Gone were the love handlesshe was slim, radiant.
How much did it cost?
She laughed hysterically, then sobered. Everything. I gave it all. She held out bare fingers, emptied her purse. Chinese magicmassages, acupuncture. Cost a fortune.
She refused to age beside Tom. Youre old, she taunted James. Look at me.
Were the same age.
But she just laughed.
The treatments drained her funds. Then James had a heart attack. Hospitalised, frail, he couldnt work.
God, is that what Id look like? Emily muttered, studying herself in the mirror.
Stay with me, hed ask.
I havent got time. Time is money.
One day, Tom met her at the shop with a folder.
Whats this?
Read it.
No time for paperwork.
Emily, these arent just papers. Theyre proof this is all mine now. Youre done.
At the solicitors, she was stonewalled.
Emily, I cant help. Toms paperwork is flawless. Your signatures are on every transfer.
But I thought they were temporaryjust while James was ill!
You shouldve read them. Or hired me sooner.
At your prices?
Well, you skimped. Now youre skint.
Defeated, she trudged home.
Need money. Lots.
James frowned. Weve got nothing left.
The flat, then.
No!
Well sell it, buy something cheaper. Youll get a computerlive online.
What life?
A virtual one, she cackled.
She knew shed rise againsell the flat, rebuild. Like a phoenix from ashes.
