Envy
Fed up with another restless night, Angela Weaver dreamt she was plotting to steal her mild-mannered neighbour Kates husband, the charming and witty Rob Fletch.
Whats he see in her? she muttered, pouring milk from the bucket into a jug. Shes so thin, hair like a scarecrow, pale as parchment!
With a sigh, Angela set the bucket aside and stepped up to the full-length mirror fixed to the wardrobe door. Even in her threadbare wool dressing gown, she gave a satisfied hum, loosening her bun and releasing a storm of chestnut curls over her shoulders.
Such a waste for all this beauty to dry up alone, she mused aloud, the image rippling as if the glass was water.
Angela wanted to get married. But in Lower Brooke, all the decent men had long been snapped up, leaving only the hopeless or the homely. So, her gaze now settled longingly on her neighbours spouse.
Rob Fletch had arrived in Lower Brooke by accidentcome to visit a grandfather hed never met, who promptly slipped away peacefully one week later. In the still warmth of his pillow, an unposted will was discovered, naming Rob the sole heir. So Rob inherited the old mans ramshackle cottage.
Angela wasnt even in the village when Rob arrived, off chasing her own happiness in a bedsit in Bristol. And so, the catch of the year, Rob, drifted right by and straight into the arms of Kate next door.
For Rob, the choice of local bachelorettes was slim, but Kate, the shy girl whod organised the old mans funeral and kept herself busy tending sheep, goats, and hens with her grandmother, caught his notice.
After the last mourners had filed out, Kate washed every dish. She sorted utensils, put the family crockery away, and left her own bowls and spoons in a plastic basin. As she was about to leave, Rob approached her and pulled her into a grateful hug.
For a moment, Kates breath caught, pressed as she was to his broad chest. She might have happily stood there all night, forsaking her chores, just clinging to this near stranger.
That night, she stood for ages on her own porch, cheeks blazing, brushing her tangled hair into order.
From that embrace began a whirlwind romance. Rob closed up his grandfathers cottage and moved in with Kate. They strolled down to the registry officeKate wearing her grans old wedding ring, Rob fitted with a proper gold band from the town jeweller, no expense spared by his new wife.
Kates gran, Val Weaver, accepted her new grandson-in-law without fuss, pressing a wad of pounds into Kates hands.
Take Rob to town, kit him out decentlysuit, jumper, boots. And dont forget yourself either! You went to the registry in tired old jeans.
So the newlyweds returned home in their fresh togs, beaming, bringing with them their very first family photo: on the Lovers Bridge, Rob with his arm around delicate Kate.
There was just one problem: on the photo, Kate looked rather awful.
She hated how she looked. Refused to hang the portrait at all.
Rob, though, was enamoured with the photo (at least, with his own image in it), so he hung it in pride of place. That family photo was where the trouble first began.
Envy
Youve got yourself quite the man, havent you? Angela observed, slurping her tea and nodding toward the framed portrait on the wall.
Yes, Im very lucky, Kate smiled quietly. Since Rob came, the sockets are all fixed, hes put in a lovely warm bathroom, and hes going to build a workshop next spring.
Why do you need an extension? Angela raised a brow. Youve already got three rooms.
Weve got space, but Robs brilliant with his handsmakes benches, doors, statues Hes planning to take on commissions from the neighboring villages. Did you see the new bathhouse he built? All proper woodwork, the shelves, the barrels… theres nothing like the smell in there.
Angelas eyes narrowed, her gaze sharp as a foxs.
Very lucky with him. But honestlylook at this photo, its obvious what a catch he is. I cant see what he ever saw in you. You look snooty and sallow, like a moth in the lamp glare! You really arent photogenic, Katie. In person, youre not nearly so tragic, but the camera clearly disagrees.
Muttering behind the kettle, Kates gran Val Weaver shuffled in, covering the portrait with her back.
Shame on you, Angela, for spitting venom at your own friend in her own house! Out with youdont think youll be finishing your tea here!
The old woman grabbed a broom, ushering Angela off with a firm whack.
Angela spluttered, dodged, and screamed out, Oh, you old bat, youll be the one chasing Rob away from Kate soon enough!
When the dust settled, Val shook her head.
Kate, you shouldnt boast to someone like her. Dont you see? Shes green with envy! Even I can tellshell try to steal Rob right from under your nose if youre not careful. Keep quiet about your happiness; let it rest peacefully.
Angela stormed home, smashing plates against her faded lino.
Why do the bland ones get lucky?! Im young, pretty, and I cant find a scrap of happiness! Whats so wrong with me?!
She envied her neighbour.
Shes had her time in the sun. Enough! Let her see how it feels now.
She pulled on her wildest dress, skipped her underthings, let her tresses fall, squeezed her feet into the old city heels, and haunted Lower Brookes lanes.
A few days of flouncing was enough to catch Robs eye. When she asked for help with a stuck door, he didnt resist when Angela pressed up against him, not one bit.
So, Rob found himself caught between two flameshis loving wife at home, and his daydreaming mistress across the hedge.
Angela pouted, Darling, when will you leave that dowdy wife of yours? Be sensibleshe was just a stopgap. Dont waste your life perfecting her little world. Move in with me. My house is every bit as good.
Rob blinked in confusion. I cant leave her. Shed be lost without meshes got no one else. I tamed her. I cant betray someone I promised to care for.
Angela hid her irritation, nuzzling his cheek.
Youre such a marvel, Rob. How Kate ever got lucky enough, Ill never know. Youre an angel among men.
While Rob stewed, Angela set off for the city to see her cousin, Anthony. Hed always been a bit of a dodgy character, so she trusted him for this job.
Tony, I need you to break up a couple. Ill pay well.
She handed over a snap of Kate.
Whys she upset you then?
Shes got too handsome a husband. The unfairness!
Frost
Kate noticed Robs moods turning cold. Hed come home ever later, barely touch his food, and sleep with his back to her, snoring before she could even whisper.
She tried even harderpolished every surface, whipped up his favourite piesbut nothing brought him back to her side.
One evening, Val was at a pensioners do in the village hall, and Rob went out to tidy the shed.
Kate was preparing a goose for roasting, washed her hands, and crept quietly outside. She called out. Rob popped up from behind the logs.
What are you yelling about? he grunted.
She smiled, wrapped him in a hug. Granll be gone at least another hour. Wont you come in?
He bristled and pushed free. Whats got into you? Go on, I want my dinner.
Kates eyes filled with hurt. Why are you like this? Two months youve barely touched me.
He exploded, Maybe theres a reason! Why dont you look at yourself in the mirror? It makes me sick. Theres a party tonight and I cant show my face covered in shame. Why can’t you be more like Angelashes stunning. Looking at you makes my teeth ache. Leave me alone!
Kate stood, frozen, her ears ringing with the echo of Angelas words, straight from Robs mouth. No roast goose could fix that.
She fled the house, running like a frightened rabbit through the strange lanes.
Kate clambered into an empty boat moored by the riverbank. She gazed dully at her own reflection, tears hitting the water with a light tap-tap-tap.
She didn’t notice the stranger approaching, fingers finding the chain locking the boat in place. Thankfully it clanged, and Kate spotted the interloper.
What do you want? she snapped.
Fancy a chat? Maybe a bit of fun? he smirked.
Im married! she cried, scrambling out, soaking her skirt and shoes but striding towards shore.
Wait! The stranger trailed after her, nonplussed. Its lovely in this village. Whats your name? Mines Anthony.
Go jump in the river, Anthony, she muttered grimly.
Inheritance
Back home, Kate sobbed until her face was raw. Val came through the door, looking tired. Shed lingered outside Angelas and seen through the window… a shadowy embrace. Her heart broke; shed loved Rob as her own. Now, she wondered if Kate knew.
Have you been crying? she asked softly.
Kate rushed over, head in Vals lap.
Gran, why did I have to be born so plain? Why me?
Oh, my girl. Youre beautiful inside. Now, go to my wardrobea box on the top shelf. Bring it here.
Kate obeyed; inside she found jewellery: emerald earrings, an amethyst ring, a ruby necklace. Val pressed them to her chest.
These are from my grandmother, and one day theyll be yours. Sell one if you must, but most of alltell no one, not even Rob. Now, wear them. Women in our family were never swans, but our jewels make you feel like a queen, and thats better than beauty.
Rob didnt return that night. By morning, Val was gone too, passed away in her sleep.
Separation
Kate went numb. Rob came, collected his things. Hed planned to move in with Angela, but Vals death delayed his plans. He couldnt leave Kate alone with so much to do.
Angela soon rocked up, squeezing her curves into a striking black dress that clung like a nightmare. While Kate mourned, Angela preened and fluttered for Robs attention.
Angela grew impatient. I cant wait forever for Rob to file for divorce, she snapped at Tony. It has to be done tonight!
Tony nodded. Sorted. But youll owe me, with interest.
Dont worry, Angela grinned. Plenty left to pay you.
***
That night, Kate finished her chores, donned a nightdress, and washed her face. Rob came home late, only to find, shockingly, some half-naked bloke tiptoe behind the curtaina pair of boxers his only defence.
Whats going on? Rob barked.
Kate, drying her face, looked blank. What do you mean?
Whos here?
He stormed into the bedroom and yanked the cupboard open: out came Tony, clutching his shirt and socks.
Lets skip the drama, Tony smirked. Kate and I, were old flames. See her once or twice a year, you know how it is.
Kate stammered, Hes lying! Who are you?!
Dont act, Katie. Weve been caught, Tony shrugged, pulling on his trousers and making himself scarce.
Rob exhaled. Well, there you have it. Now I can tell you: Ive got another woman. Im moving out. Dont get your hopes up if youre pregnant. Ill look after any child, but youIm done. I feel nothing for you now.
I never cheated, Kate whispered.
He was already halfway out, It doesnt matter now, does it?
Alone, Kate let her tears flow freely. Rob, his heart iced over, meant nothing anymore.
She locked the door behind him, clutching her grans words.
I lost your grandfather to a building accident, she remembered Val saying. I lost each of my loved ones, one by one. At fifty, I too thought of walking into the wateruntil a stranger with your baby photo came and left you with me. That gave me something to live for. People come and go, but your future is your own. Never give up.
Kate drifted to sleep, cradling an old sepia photo. A month later, the animals were gone, her house shut tight, and she disappeared without a word.
The Other Woman
Angela was all flutter and shine now Rob was hers.
She woke early, made his favourite breakfast, and pirouetted at the mirror.
Rob would sit at the window, his eyes flitting to the old cottage.
I hate all of this, he muttered one morning.
Angela read the look. Lets move the table Or burn that cottage to the ground.
He winced. Dont. None of this feels right. I shouldnt have moved in so soon, not while Kate was grieving. I feel like a cad.
Angelas jaw tightened. Are you missing your frumpy wife?
Youre so sharp, Angela. I was blinded by your looks, but I see your claws now. Kate never had a cruel bone in her.
That sting she felt wouldnt go away.
After Rob went out to work and returned just as silent, Angela thought hed forgive her anythingbut she was wrong.
The empty feeling Rob carried only deepened. Changing partners and homes hadnt brought any joy. If anything, he realised he never felt inferior beside Kate. Everything he spat at her had only been Angelas poison.
It became clear the day Kate returned, a year later, for her grandmothers memorial. She looked wonderfulsmiling, calm, almost shining. Was it dental work, or some magic, or just a new hair colour? The mousey Kate was gone.
Rob found himself knocking at her door. Kate offered him pancakes and honey, but her eyes were cool, her tone clipped.
You look marvellous, he complimented, unsure.
Thanks, she replied, her voice distant.
His gaze drifted out the window, to Angelas sullen face glaring from across the yard.
A cab pulled up; from it stepped a vaguely familiar figureTony. He started for Kates but spied Angela and turned her way.
Rob watched, recognition dawning. Look, your lovers arrived, Kate, he laughed hollowly.
Kate just shrugged. Thats my husband now. Angelas brother. Didn’t she tell you she put him up to framing me?
Rubbish, Rob snapped, spoon clenched till his knuckles whitened.
Why are you here, Rob? Kate demanded. Gran saw you two together that dayshe loved you, you broke her heart.
Dont be ridiculous, Rob brushed her off, storming out.
On the porch, Angela and Tonys argument rose to a squabble.
Angela scoffed, Yes, Tonys my cousin. The rest is Kate’s fantasy.
Tony bristled, Dont call her crazyshes never lied. Leave her be.
He retreated into Kates cottage.
Angela tried to cling to Rob, but he shook her away. You lied to me!
***
Kate sat in the boat by the river, admiring her reflection.
She was different nowjust a few subtle tweaks here and there, a new hue in her hair.
She was about to rise when Rob appeared, undid the chain, and stepped into the boat, gripping her wrist.
Sit, Kate. Ive made up my mind. Im going to steal you back. Youre mine, always have been.
She watched him coolly as he motored to the far side.
Kate, forgive me. I listened to Angelas spite, let her twist my mind. Youre the only one I ever truly lovedlets start again.
She shook her head. Take me back, Rob. Theres no mending a smashed mugthe crack always shows. Whats gone is trust.
And your new husbandAngelas brother? Did he deserve trust?
Kate answered simply, He returned every jewel he took. That was enough. Please, take me home.
***
Back in the cottage, she greeted Tony warmly. He eased her onto his knee.
Tell me, she said quietly, why did you give me back all of my grandmothers jewellery? You could have taken them, sold them in the city, and been set for life.
Tony pressed her tighter. I couldnt. After the funeral, seeing you so lost I just couldnt do it. I realised, happiness isnt in trinkets. I slipped, took them out of habit, but I brought them back. I was ashamed.
He squeezed her hand.
And youwhy did you trust me again, after what I did?
She smiled. Because you brought them all back, every last ring. You gave me back everything.
Im still a rogue, thoughnow married to a girl with a box of treasures.
She laughed, Its an appalling story. What will we tell our children?
The truth, Tony grinned. That I rescued a princess from the dragonand the treasure box came too.
He stroked her barely swelling belly, and Kate smiled, content at last.
