**The Vengeance of a Scorned Woman**
Physics teacher Daniel Whitmore, aged forty-one, had married for the second time. His new wife, sweet little Emily, was thirtyyoung, beautiful, gentle, and impossibly kind. She had captured his heart completely.
His first marriage, to Margaret, had ended after nine years. They had a daughter, Sophie, whom Daniel adored. But after the divorce, Margaret had moved back to her village, cutting off all contactkeeping Sophie from him.
“Dan, youve ditched your old nagtime to find someone new,” advised his best mate, PC Simon Evans, the local bobby in their little hamlet.
“I should, but wheres the girl whod steal my heart? Plenty of women about, but Besides, I dont fancy another disaster.”
Then a new nurse arrived in the villageEmily. Daniel bumped into her on his way home from school.
“Blimey, fresh face Whos this then?” he wondered, walking past after exchanging glances. She said hello first; he returned the greeting.
“Simon, whos the new lass in town?” Daniel asked, popping into the police station on his way.
“Who? Whatre you on about?”
“Just met a pretty blondetall, serious-looking.”
“Right, giving me a puzzle now,” Simon scratched his head. “Ah, waitmust be Nurse Emily. Started three days ago at the clinic. Old Mrs. Wilkins finally retired.”
“Lovely, she is. Dont dawdlego for it!” Simon laughed.
Meeting Emily wasnt hard. Two days later, he “accidentally” ran into her after work.
“Hello, Im Danielphysics teacher. Oh, and single,” he grinned. “Youre the nurse, then. Your marital status?”
“Hello, yesnurse. And whys my marital status so important?” she asked dryly.
“Tremendously. Youve no idea.”
They started dating, and soon there was a small wedding at the village pub.
Emily had been married once beforebriefly, thankfully without kids. Her ex was a waster, always begging for booze money, so shed slipped away to this quiet village.
On the first of September, after the school assembly, the teachers always went out for drinks.
“Em, Ill be lateyou know how it is. Staff tradition.”
“Fine, Danbut dont come home smelling of someone elses perfume again.”
“Dont be daft! That was just Miss Thompsons blazer hanging over mine.” He realised thenhis wife was the jealous sort.
The evening was grandcool, lively, full of toasts to careers and grandchildren. Daniel was merry. Only Miss Thompson kept shooting him mournful looks. A spinster past her prime, shed hoped to snag himuntil young Nurse Emily came along.
Tipsy, Daniel staggered home late. The house was dark.
“Em?” he called cheerfully, hanging up his jacket. “Safe and sound!”
He tiptoed in, expecting to find her reading in bedher favourite pastime.
“Ah, there you are,” he chuckled, seeing her curled under the lamp. “Brilliant night! Just a few pintsyou know how it is.”
Emily lifted her eyescold, empty.
“Em, lovewhats wrong? Normally youre all smiles. Worried I drank too much? Just a bit for fun!” He laughed, but she didnt.
She jerked her head toward the lounge. “Letter on the table. Read it.”
Puzzled, he found an opened envelope. The handwriting was neat, no return address.
*”Dear Daniel, I had to write. You know who this isyour one true love. I wouldnt bother, but Im expecting your child. What you do now is on your conscience. Youre marriedI know…”*
Daniels world spun. He couldnt remember stepping outhe was a devoted husband! Someone was playing a nasty trick.
“Em, you didnt believe this?” he pleaded, suddenly sober. “Its a joke! You know I love you.”
Emily stayed silent, facing the wall. Shed opened it thinking, *Weve no secrets.* But the letter had shattered her.
He begged, swore his lovebut she wouldnt listen. Finally, defeated, he gave up.
“Sleep in the lounge,” she said.
Next day, Daniel showed Simon the letter.
“Having a laugh? Howm I meant to trace handwriting? No crime herejust a daft love note.”
“Simon, my marriage is crumbling! Emily wont believe me.”
“Want me to interrogate the whole village? Might not even be from here…”
Emily wasnt speaking to him. Even his colleagues noticed his gloomexcept Miss Thompson, who hovered near him.
*What if its her?* he thought. *Shes always fancied me.* He snatched the staff register, comparing her scrawl to the letters elegant script. No matchhers was a chaotic mess.
At home, silence. He found Emily in bed, tear-streaked.
“Tell me, Danwhat did I do wrong?”
“Youre perfect, love. My ideal woman.”
“Then why cheat? Im filing for divorce.”
Calm, wise beyond her years, Emily wasnt one for hysterics.
“Ill stay at the clinic tonight.”
He couldnt stop her.
Two days later, collecting post, Daniel froze. Another envelopesame handwriting. The return address: *Lydia Dawson, 7 Oak Lane, next village over.*
He raced there, parking outside No. 7. At sunset, a heavily pregnant woman stepped out.
*Bloody hellLydia Porter!*
Years ago, Lydiaeight years younger, a former pupilhad hounded him with declarations of love. Gossip swirled until she vanished.
“Lydia,” he said, stepping out.
“Daniel?” She paled.
“Congratulations on the babynot mine. Why send that letter? Youve wrecked my marriage.”
“Im happy now,” she smirked. “But you never paid for breaking my heart. Now youll suffer too.”
“Fine. Ill show your husband this letterlet him read your little confession.”
“No! PleaseIm pregnant, I cant stress Ill tell your wife the truth!”
“Do it. If Emily forgives me, youre lucky.”
Next evening, the door creaked open.
“Dan, help me with my bag? Neighbour carried it this far.”
Emily smiledhis Emily. He hugged her, hauling her things inside. Outside, autumn gloom loomed, but their home was warm, bright, and full of joy.
Happier than everand soon, a little one on the way.
