Since childhood, Lottie knew she was pretty because everyone around her said so.
“Our girl is lovelyshe stands out with such extraordinary beauty,” her mother would happily tell colleagues and friends.
And indeed, everyone saw it and agreed. There was no denying it. Though one neighbour remained sceptical:
“All children are pretty, but not all grow up to stay that way,” shed say, then add, “Not always, mind you, but it does happen.”
Lottie grew up, and by her final year of secondary school, she had become a tall, striking beauty. Arrogant and spoiled, she knew men would do anything for her, especially the boys who gazed at her longingly.
After school, she didnt get into university, though she dreamed of higher education. Instead, she went to a technical college, earning a diploma in retail management.
“Sweetheart,” her mother said, “let me get you a job in the lab at the factory. Its not hard workno heavy lifting, and youve always been delicate.”
“What about my diploma?”
“Oh, who actually works in their field? And why waste time in retail?” her mother decidedshe and Lotties father had spent their whole lives at the factory.
Lottie took the job. By then, she was even more stunning, knowing her worth, and she fell for Daniel, an engineer from the next department. Their romance was fiery and intense. They didnt date long before he proposed.
“Before someone else steals you away, marry me,” he said with a smile, offering his heart. “Will you?”
“I will,” she answered happily.
The wedding was standardheld in the factory canteen. Back then, in those times, everyone had the same kind of celebrationmodest but crowded.
Soon after, Lottie discovered she was expecting.
“Danny, were going to have a baby,” she told him.
“Thats brilliant! Im so happy, Lottie,” he said, hugging and kissing her.
Their daughter, Sophie, was bornjust as pretty, taking after her mother. Everyone was thrilled.
Years passed. Sophie grew up, went to nursery, while Lottie and Daniel worked. After maternity leave, Lottie changednot in looks, but in attitude. She started acting like a queen, belittling her husband more each day. Daniel spent most of his time with Sophiepicking her up from nursery, reading her bedtime stories, tucking her in.
Lottie was always busy. She came home late, blaming work, though Daniel knew no one in the lab stayed overtime. He didnt dare confront hershed erupt into a row that would echo through the flat. He shielded Sophie, not wanting her to hear her parents fight.
“Daniel, your wife was seen with the chief engineer at that posh restaurant,” colleagues muttered, but he just looked down.
“Daniel, why marry a beauty?” friends asked. “You know what they saya pretty face is never just yours.”
People openly told him Lottie had admirers in high placesnot like him, just an ordinary engineer. Meanwhile, she was seeing Anthony, a ministry official, who spoiled her with jewellery and designer gifts.
Daniel became a meek, quiet husband, handling all the chores and parenting. Lottie only gave ordersSophie must study, he must shop, cook, clean. Divorce never crossed his mindhe feared traumatising Sophie.
Then came the turbulent times. Anthonys position crumbledalong with many others. He was accused of corruption.
“Lottie, if anyone asks about me, dont say much,” he told her. “I think we wont see each other again.”
He was right. Anthony vanishedarrested. Worse, Lottie herself was questioned, then detained. She panicked, wept, beggedshe knew nothing about Anthonys dealings!
Eventually, they released herno proofbut her reputation was ruined. She came home feeling like shed been drowning in filth. Shed lost everything. The money shed saved was goneDaniel had sold half their possessions to support her during the ordeal. The factory sacked her. Daniel refused to divorce, for Sophies sake, but they lived like strangers.
Once, he nearly leftbut feared how Sophie would take it. A child needs her mother.
Hearing his thoughts, Lottie swallowed her pride.
“Danny, dont go. Dont leave me. Im sorryit wont happen again.”
He stayed but couldnt bring himself to touch her.
“You slept with other men.”
“I did it for us,” she insisted.
Soon, she strayed againthis time with a young assistant.
Her old contacts and sharp business sense helped her bounce back in the changing world. Borrowing money, she rented a souvenir stall in a tourist-heavy spot. Within years, she owned a shop, then another.
“Danny, fetch me from the airportIm flying to Turkey for stock,” shed order. “Pick me upIm off to Poland. Honestly, quit your job and help me!”
“No, Im no good at sales,” hed say.
“But I need a mans helpstrength, you know?”
“Plenty of unemployed blokes around,” hed reply flatly.
So Lottie found a young assistantand lovernamed Jake, sneaking off to hotels with him. Money flowed in, but she and Daniel remained housemates. He knew about Jake, sometimes mentioning it.
“If you paid me attention, I wouldnt need him,” shed snap.
“I cant stand touching you,” hed mutter.
Time flew. Sophie moved to Scotland with her husband. New Year cameLottie jetting to China, Daniel celebrating in Sweden with friends. They reunited for the old New Year.
“Lottiewhats this?” Daniel stared. “You look younger!”
She didno sign of her recent weight gain, now slim and striking again.
“How much did that cost?”
She laughed wildly, then sobered. “Everything. I gave it all.” She held out her bare handsno diamond rings leftand emptied her purse. “Chinese magicmassages, acupuncture. Very expensive.”
She wouldnt age beside Jake. To Daniel, she declared:
“Youre old. Look at me!” She twirled.
“Were the same agearent you?”
She cackled. He slumped.
The treatments drained her funds. Profits dwindled. Then Daniel had a heart attack. Hospitalised, then hometoo frail to work, aged overnight.
“Godis that what Id look like?” Lottie checked the mirror, remembering they were the same age.
“Lottie, sit with me,” hed sometimes ask.
“I canttime is money. You know that.”
One day at the shop, Jake waited with a folder.
“Read this.”
“What? I dont have time”
“Lottie, this isnt just paper. Its ownership papers. Now this is all mine. Youre done.”
At the solicitors office, she was stunned.
“Miss Hart, Im sorrytheres nothing I can do,” he repeated.
“He bribed you! Name your price”
“Miss Hart, my reputation isnt for sale. Your assistant filed everything correctly. Your signatures are on every transfer.”
“But I thought it was temporarywhile I was dealing with Daniels hospital visits!”
“You shouldve read the documents. Or hired me sooner.”
“Your fees were too high.”
“Then dont blame me for cutting corners.”
Defeated, she slunk home.
“I need money. A lot.”
“Lottie what about the business?” Daniel asked weakly.
“Gone. We have nothing. But I need cash”
“Theres nothing left.”
“What about the flat?”
“Nonot that!”
“Well sell it, buy something cheaper outside town,” she said firmly.
“And what will I do?”
“Ill get you a computer. Enjoy life.”
“What life?”
“The virtual one,” she laughed.
Lottie knew shed sell the flat, rise like a phoenix, and start again. She always did.
