**By the Broken Bowl**
From childhood, Lucy knew she was beautiful because everyone around her said so.
“Our little girl is so prettyshe stands out with her extraordinary looks among the other girls,” her mother would happily tell her colleagues and friends.
And indeed, everyone saw it and agreedwhat else could they say? Though their neighbour did sound a little sceptical:
“All children are sweet, but when they grow up, sometimes they lose their charm. Not all, of course, but it happens.”
Lucy grew up, and by the time she reached Year 11, she had become a tall, elegant beautyhaughty and spoiled, always expecting others to fulfil her wishes, especially the boys who watched her with longing.
After school, she didnt get into university, though she had dreamed of higher education, so she settled for a college diploma in retail management.
“Darling,” her mother said, “let me get you a job in our factorys lab. Its not hard workno heavy lifting, and youve always been delicate.”
“But what about my diploma?”
“Oh, who even works in their field these days? Besides, retail isnt for you,” her mother decidedshe and Lucys father had spent their whole lives at the factory.
So Lucy worked as a lab technician. By then, shed grown even more striking and knew her worth. She fell for Edward, an engineer from the next department. Their romance was fiery and intense, and soon he proposed.
“Before someone else snatches you away, marry me?” he grinned, offering his heart.
“I will,” she replied happily.
Their wedding was like most othersheld in the factory canteen. Back then, in those times, weddings were all much the samemodest but packed with guests.
Soon after, Lucy realised she was expecting.
“Eddie, were going to have a baby,” she told him.
“Brilliant! Im thrilled, darling,” he said, hugging and kissing her.
Their daughter, Sophie, was borna pretty little thing who took after her mother. For a while, they were happy.
Time passed. Sophie grew, started nursery, and Lucy and Edward worked. After maternity leave, Lucy changednot in looks, but in character. She began acting like a queen, belittling her husband more each day. Edward spent most of his time with Sophiepicking her up from nursery, reading bedtime stories, tucking her in.
Lucy was always “busy.” She came home late, blaming work, though Edward knew the lab wasnt that demanding. He didnt dare challenge hershed scream the flat down. He pitied Sophie, not wanting her to witness their fights.
“Edward, your wife was seen with the plant manager at that fancy restaurant,” colleagues murmured, but he just looked away.
“Edward, whyd you marry a beauty?” his friends teased. “You know a pretty cake wont stay untouched forever…”
Everyone made it clearLucy was popular with men, especially those higher up the ladder, unlike him, just an ordinary engineer. By then, she was seeing Anthony, a ministry official. He spoiled her rottengifts, jewellery, lavish things.
Edward became a meek, silent husband, handling all the chores and childcare while Lucy just barked ordershelp Sophie with homework, buy groceries, cook, clean. He never considered divorce, fearing it would hurt Sophie.
Then came the turbulent times. Anthonys position crumbledhis kind werent safe anymore.
“Lucy, if anyone asks about me, keep quiet,” he muttered one day. “I think we wont see each other again.”
And so it was. Anthony vanishedarrested, she heard. Worse, she was hauled in for questioning, held overnight. Terrified, she begged, swearing she knew nothing of his dealings.
Eventually releasedno evidencebut her reputation was ruined. She returned home feeling like shed been swimming in filth. Everything was gone. Their savings had drained awayEdward sold half their possessions just to support her during the ordeal. The factory sacked her. Edward refused to divorcefor Sophies sakebut they lived like strangers.
Once, he nearly left, but he feared how Sophie would take itshe needed her mother too.
Lucy swallowed her pride.
“Eddie, dont leave me. Forgive meit wont happen again.”
He stayed, but couldnt bear to touch her.
“You slept with other men.”
“I did it for our family,” she shot back.
Then she strayed againthis time with a young assistant, Jake. Old contacts and sharp business sense helped her bounce back. Borrowing money, she rented a souvenir stall in a tourist-heavy spot. Soon, she owned one shop, then another.
“Eddie, pick me up from the airportIm flying to Turkey for stock,” she ordered. “Or Poland. Honestly, quit your job and help me in the business.”
“No, Im no good at sales,” he said.
“But I need a mansomeone strong.”
“Plenty of unemployed blokes out there,” he muttered.
Lucy took up with Jake, meeting him in hotels. Money flowed, but she and Edward stayed marriedjust neighbours sharing a roof. He knew about Jake, sometimes mentioned it.
“If you paid me any attention, I wouldnt need a ‘helper,'” she snapped.
“You make my skin crawl,” he replied.
Years flew by. Sophie grew up, married, moved to Scotland. New Years approachedLucy flew to China, Edward celebrated in Finland with mates.
When they returned, he gaped.
“Lucywhats this? You look younger!”
She didno trace of middle-aged spread, slim and poised again.
“How much did this cost?”
She laughedharsh, then cold.
“Everything. I gave it all.” She held out bare fingers, shook her empty handbag. “Chinese magicmassages, acupuncturecost a fortune.”
She wouldnt age, not with Jake around.
“Youre old. Look at me,” she taunted, twirling.
“Were the same age!”
She just cackled. But the treatments drained her fundsprofits werent what they used to be. Then Edward had a heart attack. Hospitalised, then homefrail, unable to work.
“God, is that what Id look like?” Lucy muttered, checking the mirror.
“Lucy, sit with me,” he sometimes asked.
“Canttimes money.”
One day, at the shop, Jake handed her a folder.
“Read this.”
“What? I dont have time for paperwork.”
“Not paperworklegal documents. Everythings mine now. Youre done.”
Her lawyer sighed.
“Lucy, I cant help. The paperworks flawlessyour signatures are all over it.”
“But I thought it was temporary!”
“Shouldve read the fine print. Or hired me sooner.”
“At your prices?”
“You wanted cheapdont blame me.”
Defeated, she slunk home. Then
“I need money. A lot.”
“Lucy, what about the business?” Edward asked weakly.
“Gone. But I need cash.”
“Weve nothing left.”
“The flat, then.”
“No!”
“Well sell, buy something cheaper outside town,” she said firmly.
“And what do I do?”
“Ill buy you a computerlive virtually.”
She laughed.
Shed sell the flat, rise again like a phoenixrebuild. She always did.
