By the Broken Washbasin
From childhood, Alice knew she was beautifuleveryone said so.
Our little girl is such a picture, stands out with her striking looks, her mother would gush to friends and coworkers, beaming with pride.
And truly, no one could deny it. Even the skeptical neighbour had to admit, though with a touch of caution:
All children are lovely, but not all grow up to be so fair. Not saying it happens to everyone, mind, but it does happen.
By the time she reached sixth form, Alice had blossomed into a statuesque beautyslender, poised, and painfully aware of her power. Arrogant and capricious, she knew boys would scramble to fulfil her whims, their longing glances trailing after her like shadows.
After school, she failed to get into university, much to her dismay, and settled for a trade college instead. Back then, private education wasnt an option, so she graduated with a diploma in retail management.
Darling, her mother suggested, why dont I get you a position at the factory lab? Its light work, nothing strenuousjust right for someone delicate like you.
What about my diploma? Alice protested.
Oh, who even works in their field these days? And trades no life for you, her mother insisted, having spent her own years at the factory alongside Alices father.
So Alice became a lab technician. By then, she had grown even more striking, her confidence unshakable. She fell for David, an engineer from the next workshop over. Their love burned fast and bright. Within months, he proposed.
Marry me before someone steals you away, he said, grinning as he offered his heart. Will you?
Yes, she answered, flushed with delight.
Their wedding was modest, held in the factory canteen like all the others in those dayssimple, crowded, unremarkable.
Soon after, Alice discovered she was expecting.
David, were going to be parents, she announced.
Thats wonderful, love. Truly wonderful, he murmured, pulling her into an embrace.
Their daughter, Sophie, arriveda cherubic little thing, all her mothers charm. Life seemed perfect.
Time passed. Sophie toddled off to nursery, while Alice and David worked. But motherhood changed Alicenot in looks, but in spirit. She began carrying herself like royalty, lashing out at David, belittling him. He, in turn, poured himself into fatherhood, collecting Sophie from nursery, reading her bedtime stories, tucking her in.
Alice, meanwhile, grew distant. She returned late from work, blaming extra hoursthough David knew the lab never ran overtime. He bit his tongue, fearing explosive rows that would scar their daughter.
David, your wife was spotted with the chief engineer at The Rose & Crown, colleagues whispered. He would only look away.
Whyd you marry a beauty, mate? friends ribbed. You know a pretty cake wont stay unshared forever
The rumours swirledAlice was climbing, mingling with men of influence while David remained a humble engineer. Then came Anthony, a ministry official, who spoiled her with jewels and designer trinkets.
David shrank into silence, a ghost in his own home. He shouldered the chores, the childcare, while Alice barked orders: Help Sophie with her homework. Buy groceries. Clean up. Divorce never crossed his mindhe wouldnt break Sophies heart.
Then came the upheaval of the 90s. Anthonys world crumbled; investigations loomed.
Alice, if they ask about me say nothing, he warned. I fear we shant meet again.
He vanishedarrested, she later learned. Then they came for her. Interrogations. Pleas. Tears. They released her for lack of evidence, but her reputation lay in ruins. She returned home feeling filthy, as if shed swum through sewage. Everything was gonetheir savings drained, half their belongings sold to cover legal fees. The factory sacked her. David, though humiliated, refused to divorcefor Sophies sake. They lived as strangers.
Once, he nearly left.
Stay, Alice begged, swallowing her pride. Forgive me. It wont happen again.
He stayed. But he couldnt bear to touch her.
You slept with them, he muttered.
For this family, she snapped.
Then she strayed againthis time with Arthur, a sharp, ambitious assistant. Old contacts and sheer grit helped her claw back. She borrowed cash, leased a souvenir kiosk in a tourist hotspot, and soon expanded to two shops.
David, fetch me from the airportIm off to Turkey for stock. Then Poland, she ordered. Quit your job. Help me.
Im no salesman, he said flatly.
I need a mans strength, she pressed.
Plenty of unemployed blokes about, he countered.
So Arthur became more than an assistanthotel rendezvous, secret laughter. Money flowed. David knew, but they maintained their hollow truce.
If youd paid me attention Alice sneered when confronted.
You disgust me, he spat.
Years flew. Sophie married and moved to Scotland. New Years Eve arrivedAlice jetted to China; David toasted in Edinburgh with mates. They reconvened for Old New Year.
Alice whats this? David gaped. You lookyounger.
She was radiant, her waist trim, every trace of age erased.
What did it cost?
She laughed, brittle and wild. Everything. Every last penny. She flashed bare fingers, emptied her purse. Chinese miraclesacupuncture, massages. Worth every pound.
She wouldnt age beside Arthur.
Youre old, she taunted David. Look at me.
Were the same age.
Her laughter rang cruel. But the treatments drained her funds. Profits dwindled. Then David collapsedheart attack. Hospital. Recovery. He aged decades in months.
God, is that what Id look like? Alice muttered, eyeing him, then her reflection.
Stay with me, hed whisper.
Cant. Times money.
One day, Arthur met her at the shop, smug, clutching a folder.
Read this.
What is it? Ive no time
Youve no business. Its mine now. Youre done.
The solicitor confirmed it.
Alice, I cant help you. The paperworks flawless. You signed it all.
But I thought it was temporary!
You shouldve read the fine print.
Defeated, she slunk home.
I need money. Lots.
Weve nothing left, David said.
The flat, then.
Nonot that.
Well sell it. Buy something cheaper. Youll get a computerlive online.
What life?
A virtual one, she cackled.
Alice was certainshed rise again, phoenix-like, from the ashes. She always did.
