Alice had always dreamed of marrying well. Her first attempt had ended in disaster. She had a son, Thomas, now twenty years old.
Long ago, her husband had been caught in an unspeakable betrayal. Alice had returned early from a business trip and found him half-dressed, hastily straightening the sheets in their bedroom. Meanwhile, her best friend was in the kitchen, making coffee in Alices dressing gown! A classic scandal. The divorce was swift. The treacherous friend was erased from her life, and Alice didnt bother with the sordid details. Guilt demanded punishment. She threw her husband out, forbidding Thomas from speaking to him. Alice wasnt even thirty then.
Over a decade passed. Alice earned her PhD, then her professorship, becoming a respected scholar of linguistics. By forty, she chaired her department at the university. Though admired in her field, Alice never gave up hope of finding a worthy partner. She refused to resign herself to knitting socks and embroideryshe was too young for that.
There had been suitors, but none had touched her heart. One proposed after their first date, borrowed money (Were practically family!), and vanished. Another, a widower, sought a mother for his three young children. He invited her over at once, asking her to cook dinner for his family. Alice pitied them but couldnt bear the weight of their needs. Perhaps Im selfish, she told herself.
Options dwindled with each year. Just as she was about to abandon hope, he reappeared.
Wahid, a former student from Algeria, now twenty-eight. Hed studied under Alice, stayed in London after graduation, and opened a small business. One day, Alice stopped at a petrol stationhis petrol station. They chatted, reminiscing about university days. Wahid gave her his card. Just in case, he said. Soon, Alice visited weekly, filling her car and enjoying his company.
Wahid began courting herrestaurant invitations, symphony tickets. Alice hesitated, doubting his sincerity. She declined, but he persisted. She remembered him as a diligent student, fluent in English, strikingly handsome. The girls at university had sighed as he passed. Once, hed given her a carved box with a note inside. Reading it, she flushed, then paled, tearing it to shreds. Professor Alice, I love you! Shed shoved the box back at him, furious, certain it was mockery.
The next day, he apologized. I didnt mean to offend you. I admire you. Alice accepted his apology stiffly. Go to class, Wahid. He kept his distance after that, stealing glances when he could.
Now, years later, the situation repeated. Alice wavered. Were just a man and a woman now. Why not? She surrendered to fate.
Their romance was brief but dazzling. Wahid was tender, playful, romanticunlike anyone shed known. Age didnt matter; with him, she felt young again. She nicknamed him William; he called her Amira. Alice was euphoric, desired for the first time in years.
But Wahid never proposed. He was returning to Algeria, bound by family duty. His mother had already chosen his bridea seventeen-year-old named Khadija. Alice couldnt leave England, abandon Thomas, her mother. Nor would his family accept an older foreign bride. Better my dry bread than anothers feast, she thought.
She resolved to love him fiercely while she could. How much happiness do I have left? Scraps. Ill love this boy till he cant breathe! she confessed to her mother.
Her mother was appalled. Alice! Why this foreigner? Arent there enough Williams here? Ill never bless this! Your ex-husband still hoversforgive him! You have a son together!
Mum, Daniel cheated! Or have you forgotten?
Good Lord, hes repented a hundred times! And you neglected him with your degrees. A man left alone becomes prey. And he wasnt picky.
Then why didnt you forgive Dad? He begged too.
Dont compare! Your father left before you were born, had three children elsewhere, then came back to peek at you. Should I have taken him with three tails? Could I rob those children of their father? No! But your Daniels been alone ten years, waiting. Thomas adores him.
Alice sighed. Im not marrying Wahid. Im too old for him. Ill wait till he leaves meI couldnt do it myself.
Her mother shook her head. Even an old mare finds a bite sweet
Three years later, Wahid said goodbye. Ill stay in touch, my love. Alice had braced herself, but the pain was sharp. At parting, he gave her the same carved box. Inside was a ringtwo angels holding a diamond heart.
My heart stays with you, Amira, he whispered, kissing her fiercely.
He flew to Algeria.
A year later, a wedding photo arrived: My wife, Khadija. Another year, another: My second wife, Maryam. Wahid explained that polygamy was legal there. Alice felt no jealousy. What did those young quails know of sweet, seasoned love? His sad eyes in the photos comforted her. He missed her. Perhaps still loved her. But old love rusts when new love gusts.
The fairy tale ended. Life moved on. Thomas married, brought home a bride. When their daughter was born, Alice asked them to name her Amirato preserve the memory of a love that burned bright.
In time, Alice forgave Daniel. Guilt had been punished; now it was pardoned. Hed worked through her mother, who wore her down: Hes repented. Whos without sin? Temptation walks among us, not the woods. Not everyone resists.
Alice and Daniel reunited, determined not to part again. She even took up knitting, making little socks for Amira with intricate patterns.
And so she learned: love leaves scars, but forgiveness can mend themif you let it.
