**The Revenge of a Scorned Woman**
Anthony Stevens, a physics teacher at a rural school in the Cotswolds, had married for the second time. At forty-one, he was smitten with his new wife, Emilyjust thirty, young, beautiful, gentle, and kinda woman who struck him right in the heart.
His first marriage to Victoria had ended after nine years, leaving him with a daughter, Sophie, whom he adored. But after the divorce, Victoria moved back to her village and cut off all contact, refusing to let him see Sophie.
“Tony, youve ditched the drama queennow its time to move on,” advised his best mate, Stephen, the local constable.
“I know, I know, but I havent met the right one yet. Plenty of fish in the sea, but What if I end up with another disaster?”
Then Emily arriveda young nurse whod just moved to the village. Anthony bumped into her on his way home from school.
“Blimey, whos this then?” he thought, passing her with a polite nod as she greeted him first.
“Steve, whos the new lass in town?” he asked later, popping into the police station.
“Who? What lass?”
“The one I just sawblonde, slim, dead serious-looking.”
“Youre giving me a proper detective challenge here,” Stephen scratched his head. “Ah, must be Emily, the new nurse. Started three days ago. Old Mrs. Higgins finally retired.”
“Lovely girldont dawdle, mate. Strike while the irons hot,” Stephen chuckled.
Meeting her wasnt hard. Two days later, he “accidentally” ran into her after her shift.
“Hello, Im Anthony. Physics teacher. Unmarried, by the way,” he grinned. “And younurse, right? So any rings on those fingers?”
“Hello. And why does my marital status matter so much?” she asked, deadpan.
“Immensely. More than youd think.”
Soon enough, they were dating, and before long, they had a small wedding at the village pub.
Emily had been married beforebriefly, thank goodness, with no kids. Her ex was a waster who kept begging for beer money, so shed quietly fled to the countryside.
On the first of September, as tradition dictated, the teachers celebrated the new term with drinks after the assembly.
“Em, Ill be late tonightyou know how it is. Cant let the team down.”
“Fine. But dont come home smelling of someone elses perfume again.”
“Love, I told youthat was just Mrs. Jenkins draping her cardigan over mine!” Thats when he realised: his wife had a jealous streak.
The evening was brilliantcool, lively, full of toasts about promotions and future grandchildren. Everyone was in high spirits, except Mrs. Jenkins, who kept shooting him mournful looks. A woman of a certain age, never married, shed once hoped to snag Anthonyuntil young Nurse Emily came along.
Tipsy but triumphant, Anthony staggered home late. The house was dark.
“Em? Im back!” He hung up his jacket, then wandered into the living room. Still dark. Probably reading in bed, he thoughtshe loved her books.
“Ah, there you are!” He found her sitting cross-legged under the lamplight, book in hand. “Brilliant night, not too late, just a few pints” He flashed his most charming grin.
Emily looked up, and he froze. Her eyes were cold. Empty.
“Em? Whats wrong? Youre usually all smiles. Not worried about the drink, are you? Barely touched a drop!” He laughed nervously.
She nodded toward the living room. “Theres a letter for you. Read it.”
Heart sinking, he found an opened envelope on the table. No return address.
*Dear Anthony,*
*Thought Id write. You know who this isthe one who truly loved you. I wouldnt bother, but Im expecting your child. What you do now is on your conscience. Youre marriedI know.*
His stomach dropped. He wracked his brainhad he slipped up? No. He was a devoted husband! This had to be a joke.
“Em, you cant believe this!” he pleaded, suddenly stone-cold sober. “Someones winding us up!”
She turned away, silent. Shed opened it thinking, *We have no secretsIll just read it.*
He begged, swore his love, but she wouldnt listen. Finally, he gave up. Morning would bring sense.
“Sleep in the guest room,” she said.
The next day, he showed the letter to Stephen.
“Tony, you having a laugh? How am I meant to trace handwriting? No crime herejust a dodgy love note.”
“Steve, my marriage is crumbling! Emily wont believe me.”
“You want me to interrogate the whole village? Might not even be from here!”
Stephen joked, “Maybe you *did* do it and just forgot?”
“Piss off,” Anthony snapped, storming out.
Emily wouldnt speak to him. Even his colleagues noticed his gloomexcept Mrs. Jenkins, who kept hovering.
*What if its her?* he thought. *Shes always fancied me.* He grabbed the staff register, flipping to her history class notes.
His hope died. Her scrawl was a messnothing like the elegant script in the letter.
At home, silence. He found Emily in tears.
“Tell me, Anthonywhat did I do wrong?”
“Youre perfect. I love you.”
“If I were perfect, you wouldnt cheat. I want a divorce.”
No hystericsjust quiet devastation. She packed her things and left for the clinic.
Two days later, at the post office, he spotted itan envelope with the same handwriting. The return address: *Lydia Hughes, 7 Willow Lane, Oakfield.*
Next village over.
He sped there, parked outside number seven, and waited. At sunset, a heavily pregnant woman stepped out.
His stomach lurched. *Lydia Carter.*
Years ago, shed been his studenteight years younger, relentlessly infatuated. Shed ambushed him with declarations until, finally, she vanished. Now, married and expecting, shed decided to ruin him.
“Lydia,” he said, stepping out.
She startled. “Anthony?”
“I see lifes treated you well. But this letterwhy? Youve wrecked my marriage.”
She smirked. “You made me suffer. Now its your turn.”
“So you waited until I was happy?”
“Exactly.”
“Right. Then Ill show your husband this letter. Let him read your little confession.”
Her face paled. “No! PleaseIll tell your wife the truth. Ill fix it.”
“Do it. Or your husband gets the post.”
The next evening, the door creaked open.
“Tony? Help me with my bag. The neighbour carried it this far, but”
Emily stood there, smiling. He swept her into his arms, hauling her bags inside. Outside, autumn gloom lingeredbut in their home, warmth and joy returned.
Twice as much, now that they had news of their own.
