**A Dowry of Misfortune**
*Diary Entry*
“Paul, look Is that Edward?” Nina, kneeling in the vegetable patch, glanced up at the sound of the garden gate creaking open.
“Looks like him. And hes carrying a big bag,” Paul muttered. They exchanged knowing glances.
“With luggage, no less Do you think Margaret finally threw him out? Serves him right, the philanderer.”
Paul brushed the soil from his handshe and his wife had been planting seedlingsand went to greet his brother. Nina stayed put, watching from a distance. *Let Paul deal with him. Why should I rush to welcome that narcissistic fool?* She was about to return to her work when Edward waved at her with a strained, guilty smile. She waved back but thought, *Like a cat caught stealing cream. Hes definitely done something wrongnowhere else to go but here, turning up unannounced.*
Paul spoke to his brother briefly before returning to the garden, while Edward disappeared inside.
“You were right, Nina,” Paul said, shaking his head. “Margaret kicked him out. But you wont get the truth out of himits always her fault, never his. Still, we know better. She mustve had enough.”
“Can you blame her? She turned a blind eye for years to his drinking and tantrums. And he raised his hand to her more than once! I can see why she stayedlanded a man six years younger, handsome too. And she had a daughter with him after failing to conceive with her first husband for five years. Probably terrified of losing him.” Nina sighed.
“With her looks You know what they called her at her last job?” Paul smirked. “The Wicked Witch!”
Ninas eyebrows shot up.
“Seriously?”
“Dead serious. And she answered to itjust laughed it off.”
“Shes got a sense of humour, Ill give her that. But even that doesnt help when your marriage is a mess.”
Paul had met Margaret at work. She was twenty-eight then, a dispatcher for a taxi firm, while he repaired their radios. She was married to the firms young director, Max, but after five years, they still had no children. Paul had been surprisedcharming, good-looking Max, shackled to a woman so plain and brusque.
Then Edward visited the office one day, coinciding with Margarets birthday. A small celebration was underway, and after Max left on urgent business, Margaret and Edward hit it off. She laughed at his jokes; he basked in her attention, spinning more tales. Paul never saw the moment the spark ignited, but by March, Margaret announced her divorce.
“Whats left for me in this marriage?” shed said. “My clocks ticking, and still no children. Ive been checkedIm fine. Max refuses to see a doctor. Kids arent in his plans. And hes cheatingI know it. Everyone pities me. Even call me the Wicked Witch behind my back!”
When Edward told his family he was marrying, his parents rejoiced, but Paul was baffled.
“Who?”
“Margaret!” Edward beamed.
“But shes years older, and”
“Ugly, you mean? So what! Shes loaded. Her aunts a director at a design firmpromised me a job there. Her mum and brother live in Israel, running their own business. They send her parcels every monthsocks, underwear, even caviar! Her flats lovely, two bedrooms, fully renovated. And they wire her pounds for bills. The house is in her mums name, but theres also a two-storey cottage outside London with a massive garden. Weve stayed there A dowry like that!”
“A dowrys fine, but do you love her?” Paul asked.
“Course! Shes got a great personality!” Edward grinned. “And she cooks like a dream!”
The family exchanged glances. What could they say to that?
They married soon after. When Margaret discovered she was pregnant, she was overjoyed.
“I told Max it was his fault! Three months with Edward, and here we are!”
Their daughter, Sophie, was born healthy, bringing joy to everyone. By her first birthday, weekends were spent at the cottageMargaret tending the garden while Edward often vanished back to the city, claiming work.
Years passed. At Sophies third birthday, the table groaned with delicaciesgifts from her Israeli relatives. But Edward kept slipping away to take calls, earning Margarets sharp looks.
“Edward, really! Who keeps calling? Weve got guests!”
“Just work,” he muttered, avoiding her gaze.
Two years later, Edward worked with Margaret at the design firmeasy job, good pay. Then came the trip to Israel, funded by her mother.
“My in-laws couldnt get enough of me!” Edward bragged later. “Fed me till I gained three kilos!”
Margaret smiled, ruffling his hair. “Their favourite son-in-law!”
But one Saturday, an unfamiliar woman with two little girls knocked at Pauls parents door. His mother returned pale, refusing to explain. Later, she confessedEdward had another family.
Margaret found out soon enough.
“After everything we did for you!” she screamed. “The job, the house, the car, the trip! And you repay me like this? Pack your things and get out! And find another jobIll make sure youre sacked tomorrow!”
“Where will I go?” Edward whined. “I love you!”
“Youve got another familyfigure it out!”
When Edward slunk into his parents home, suitcase in hand, Paul thought, *What a fool. Threw it all away for cheap thrills, left with nothing but his shame.*
*Lesson learned: Greed and deceit leave you with empty hands.*
