**Diary Entry**
The day my husband threw me out, I felt utterly broken. But now, years later, I see it was the best thing that ever happened to me.
Id married for love, never imagining the torment ahead. After our daughter was born, I gained four stone, and everything changed. My husband began tearing me down, calling me cow or pig, refusing to see me as a woman. Hed compare me endlessly to his colleagues wiveshow elegant they were, how Id let myself go. His words gutted me. Then I found out about his mistress, a younger woman he didnt even bother hiding. Hed call her in front of me, send her messages, while my daughter and I meant nothing.
At night, I cried silently, with no one to turn to. I had no familyorphaned youngand my friends had drifted away after the wedding. Sensing my helplessness, he grew violent. Our daughters cries enraged him; hed shout, demanding I silence her, threatening to throw us out.
Ill never forget that day. He came home from work and ordered me to leave immediately. Outside, snow was falling, night closing in. With just one suitcase and my daughter in my arms, I stood in the courtyard, lost. He didnt even let us gather our things. As I stood there, stunned, a taxi pulled up. His mistress stepped out, suitcase in hand, and walked straight into our flat. All I had left in my pocket was a few pounds.
My only hope was the hospital where Id once worked. By luck, a nurse I knew was on duty. She took us in, and we stayed the night. The next day, I pawned a delicate chain with a crossmy only keepsake from my motheralong with the earrings my husband had given me before we married, and my wedding ring. I found an ad for a room in the outskirts, rented by an elderly woman, Granny Mabel. She became like family, looking after my daughter so I could work.
With no qualifications, I took jobsfirst at a slaughterhouse, then as a nighttime cleaner. Later, a client whose home I cleaned offered me an assistant role at her firm, with decent pay. Because of her, I went to university, earned my degree, and became a solicitor.
Now, my daughter studies at Oxford. We have a flat in London, a car, and take holidays several times a year. My practice thrives, and I thank fate for being thrown out that day. Without it, Id never have succeeded.
Recently, while house-hunting in the countryside near Windsor, the door opened to reveal my ex-husbandhis mistress, now quite plump, behind him. I wanted to tell him exactly what I thought, but I just stared. There he was, bloated, drunk, drowning in debt. Thats why they were selling. After a heavy silence, I called my daughter, and we left.
I still visit Granny Mabel, bringing cakes and helping where I can. Ill never forget her kindness. Nor will I forget Emily, my former employerthe woman who rebuilt my confidence and changed my life.
