**The Ugly Bride with a Dowry**
*Diary Entry*
“Nev, look Is that Vincent?” Nina glanced up from her gardening as the gate creaked open.
“Yep, thats him. And hes lugging a big bag,” Neville said. They exchanged knowing looks.
“Looks like hes packed his things. Did Marina finally kick him out? Serves the Casanova right.”
Neville brushed the soil from his handshe and his wife had been planting seedlingsand went to greet his brother. Nina stayed put, watching from afar. *No need to rush over to that self-absorbed prat. Neville will fill me in.* Just as she turned back to her work, Vincent waved at her with a forced, guilty grin. She waved back but thought, *Like a cat caught stealing cream. Must be in real trouble if hes turned up on our doorstep unannounced.*
Neville didnt talk to Vincent long before returning to the garden, leaving his brother to head inside.
“You were right, Nina,” Neville said when he came back. “Marina threw him out. But good luck getting the truth from himits always her fault, never his. We know how it really is. Shes had enough.”
“Can you blame her? She put up with his drinking and temper for ages. And he even raised a hand to her a few times. I get itshe landed a younger, handsome bloke, six years her junior. Had a daughter with him too, after five years of failing with her first husband. Probably feared losing him,” Nina mused.
“Yeah, with *her* looks You know what they called her at her old job?” Neville smirked. “*The Wicked Witch of the West!*”
Ninas eyebrows shot up. “Seriously?”
“Dead serious. And the mad part? Shed answer to it and laugh.”
“Shes got a sense of humour, Ill give her that. But that doesnt fix a marriage like theirs,” Nina sighed.
…
Neville first met Marina at work. She was twenty-eight then, a taxi dispatcher, while he handled radio repairs for the drivers. She was married to the firms young director, Max. Five years in, no kids. Neville had wondered back then what a charmer like Max saw in such a plain, brash woman.
One day, Vincent dropped by Nevilles workplace. It was Marinas birthday, and shed invited the lads and the dispatchers for a little office celebration. Max got called away, and Marinalaughing at Vincents flirty jokeshit it off with him instantly. Neville didnt notice the spark, but by March, Marina announced her divorce.
“Whats left in this marriage?” shed said. “My clocks ticking, still no kids. Ive been checkedIm fine. Max refuses to see a doctor. Kids arent in his plans. Plus, hes cheating. Everyone pities me. And they whisper, *Look at the Wicked Witchwhat does he see in her?*”
When Vincent told his family he was marrying Marina, his parents were thrilled. Neville was baffled.
“*Who*, Vince?”
“Marina!” Vincent beamed.
“Shes years older, and”
“Ugly, you mean? So what! Shes loaded. Her aunts a director at a firmgetting me a job there. Her mum and brother live in Israel, run their own business. They send her parcels every monthsocks, pants, caviar, the lot. Flats nice too, two beds, fully done up. And they send pounds for bills. Oh, and a two-storey country house with a massive garden. Weve stayed there. Bottom lineshes a bride with a dowry!”
“A dowrys grand, but do you even *love* her?” Neville asked.
“Course! Shes a laugh! And cooks like a dream.”
What could anyone say to that?
They married quickly. When Marina got pregnant, her joy was boundless.
“Told Max it was *his* fault! Three months with Vincent, and here we are!”
Their daughter, Emily, was born healthy, doted on by all. At six months, Marina and Vincent started leaving her with the grandparents on weekends while they worked at the country house.
But Marina once confided in Nina that Vincent often dropped her off there, then vanished back to the city, claiming work. He freelanced, always flush with cash. Neville and Nina sometimes helped Marina with the garden.
Time flew. Emily turned three, and the family celebrated with a feastrelatives, godparents, Israeli delicacies. Emily wore designer clothes from her gran abroad. But Vincent kept slipping away to take calls. Marina glared.
“Vincent! Who keeps ringing? Weve got guests!”
“Just work, nagging me,” he muttered, avoiding her eyes.
Two years later, Vincent and Marina worked together at her aunts firmeasy job, good pay. Life seemed sweet.
Then Vincent announced a family trip to Israel.
“Her folks want to meet Emilyonly seen her on Skype. Her mums saved for *three years* to pay for it. Wants to see her precious son-in-law too.” He preened.
The trip was a triumph. Vincent couldnt stop gushing.
“Her mum *adores* me! Vinny this, Vinny that Fed me till I gained three kilos!”
“Favourite son-in-law!” Marina laughed, ruffling his hair.
The memories fuelled his boasting for months.
Then, one Saturday, Nina heard the doorbell. Before she could answer, her mother-in-law hurried out. Peering through the window, Nina saw a young woman with two little girls.
*Charity collectors?* she wondered. *Too well-dressed*
Her mother-in-law returned pale, brushing off questions. Later, hushed whispers between the older couple.
Days later, Marina rang Neville.
“Vincent with you?”
“No Left already?”
“Must be home soon. Hows the tap? Fixed the flood?”
“What flood?”
“He said you called yesterdayburst tap, needed help.”
Silence.
“Right. Got it.” Her voice was ice.
Neville called Vincent immediately.
“If youre spinning lies, at least *warn* me! Marina just rang. She knows you lied. Where you were is your business, but good luck explaining *that* to her.”
Their mother overheard.
“Whats going on with Vincent and Marina?” She hesitated. “Last week a woman came. Lucy, his old flame. With two girls. Said theyre his. *Our* grandkids.” She wept. “Two families! How could he? If Marina finds out”
She did. Someone always talks.
Vincent had been seeing Lucy *before* Marina. Had two kids with her.
“After everything my family gave you!” Marina screamed when the truth exploded. “The job, the house, the car, *Israel*! Favourite son-in-law*ha!* Pack your things. *Now.* And find another jobIm telling my aunt tomorrow. Youre *done* at the firm.”
“But where will I go? I love you! I cant live without”
“Youve got *another family*!”
“Lucys with some bloke now”
“*Your* problem.”
When Vincent slunk home, suitcase in hand, Neville thought, *What a fool. Threw it all away for cheap thrills. Like the dog who dropped his bone for a shadow.*
*Lesson learned: Greed and deceit leave you with nothing. Not even a shadow.*
