With money, I made myself younger. Years later, my husband discovered the truth and we divorced.
I was born in a small English village. After finishing secondary school at sixteen, I went on to a catering college and completed my studies four years later. I started working at a café, sticking to my trade, but after five years, I realised I wanted more from life. The pay was pitiful and I couldnt see my future there.
It was at work that I met Thomas, a man from London who seemed well connected in the city. I travelled to London and arranged to meet him. I asked him for help getting into university, and he didnt say no, but he made it clear it would cost. Id managed to put some money aside over the years, so I agreed to pay. That favour ended up costing me a fair sum in pounds.
I even went as far as to purchase a new birth certificate. I paid for all the papersback then, everything was still on paper. According to my new documents, I was five years younger, and my new school report was filled with top marks.
With Thomass help, I got a place at university.
That was the beginning of a whole new chapter. Suddenly, I was surrounded by young, lively students, and I finally felt a part of something. Within a year, I got married to Mark, who was just nineteen. He was born and bred in London, and I moved into his parents flat.
After I finished my degree, big changes were underway across the countryThatchers government was changing everything. Mark and I set ourselves up quickly; we rented a little shop and opened a pub. In time, we managed to buy the place and became the proud owners of our bar.
Mark and I got on well enough, though we never had children. One day, we decided to visit my old village where Id spent my youth. I caught up with childhood friends and old classmates. My life was nothing like theirs, and, frankly, I looked much younger and healthier than my peers. People were jealous, and one of my former classmates took it upon himself to tell Mark that Id worked in a pub and was older than Id let on.
After that, Mark started accusing me of lying. He changed completely, started drinking heavily, and, eventually, we divorced. We had to split the family business. I bought myself a flat, while Mark racked up debts from ruthless lenders after the split. Everything fell apart.
Now Im still working, even though Im old enough to retire. I often think of Thomas, who once told me I was mad to forge documents. But you cant change the past or undo the mistakes of your youth.
Recently, while visiting my mum, I bumped into a school friend. Shes been retired for two years, spends her time with grandkids and tending her vegetable garden. I, meanwhile, still have to work, and my health isnt what it used to be. When were young, we make rash decisions that we end up paying for later in life.
I wouldnt mind some advice on how to make amends for the foolishness I committed all those years ago.
