Mrs. Thompson, have you lost your mind? This is a prom, not a costume party!» The Year 13 form tutor threw her hands up in disbelief. «Live butterflies? Where on earth would we even get them? And more importantlywhy?»
«Mrs. Williams, it has to be something special!» Emily insisted, tapping her pen against the list of ideas. «This is our childrens last school celebration. Theyll remember it for the rest of their lives!»
The parent committee for the graduating class had gathered in the headmasters office. Sarah sat quietly in the corner, lost in thoughtupcoming project deadlines at work, unpaid bills, and the gnawing concern about her husband, who had seemed increasingly distant lately.
«Mrs. Carter, what do you think?» Mrs. Williams voice snapped her back to reality. «You work in event planning, dont you?»
Sarah straightened in her chair, collecting her thoughts.
«I think we should focus on what truly matters to the kids,» she said evenly. «Good music, a photo booth, maybe a small buffet. Everything else is just unnecessary expenses and stress.»
Emily pursed her lips.
«Of course, youd go for the budget option. The children want a proper celebration!»
«They want to have fun with their friends, not watch butterflies,» Sarah countered gently. «Ask Sophie if you dont believe me.»
Mentioning her daughter softened Emily slightly.
«Fine, lets vote. Whos in favour of a simple, no-frills prom?»
Most hands went up, and Sarah exhaled in relief. One less problem to worry about. If only she could figure out what was happening at home.
Leaving the meeting, she dialled her husbands number.
«James? Still at work?» she asked, weaving through the car park.
«Yeah, running late,» he replied, his voice tired. «This projects a nightmare. Dont wait up for dinner.»
«Again?» She couldnt hide her disappointment. «Third time this week.»
«Sarah, not now,» irritation edged his tone. «Im working, not out having fun. And dont worryIll make it to Sophies prom.»
«Fine,» she decided to drop it. «See you tomorrow.»
At home, Sophie was hunched over a history textbook at the kitchen table. Exams were over, but university applications loomed.
«How was the meeting?» she asked without looking up. «Save us from another one of Mrs. Thompsons mad ideas?»
Sarah smiled, pulling ingredients from the fridge.
«Believe it or not, she wanted live butterflies this time.»
«Ugh,» Sophie wrinkled her nose. «Id spend the whole night terrified one would land on me.»
«Exactly my point,» Sarah turned on the hob. «Dads late again.»
«Nothing new,» Sophie shrugged. «Mum do you think hes»
«What?» Sarah froze, knife in hand.
«Just hes been acting weird. Distracted. Different calls. Maybe its work trouble, or» she trailed off.
«Or what?» Sarahs chest tightened.
«Nothing, forget it.» Sophie waved a hand. «Just seems odd.»
Sarah resumed chopping vegetables, but her mind raced. Had Sophie noticed the changes too? The late nights, the secretive phone calls, the messages he always deleted. Twenty years of marriagecould he really be
«Mum, the onions are done,» Sophies voice snapped her back.
«Just thinking,» Sarah blinked away tears, blaming the onions. «Lets eat, then you can help me pick a dress for prom.»
The next fortnight flew by in a blur. Sarah juggled work and prom preparations while James kept working late, though he promised to be on time for the big night.
On prom day, Sarah had her hair styled, nails done, and light makeup applied. At forty-five, she still looked youthful, especially when she smiled. Shed chosen an elegant navy-blue dress that flattered her figureSophie had insisted she look her best.
«Let my classmates be jealous of how gorgeous my mum is,» shed said, fixing Sarahs hair.
Sophie herself was radiant in a white prom dress. Sarahs eyes welled up.
«Now youre doing it again,» Sophie muttered, though her own eyes shone. «If you ruin your makeup, Im going without you.»
«I wont,» Sarah dabbed her eyes with a tissue. «Im just so proud of you. My little girl, all grown up.»
Theyd agreed Sarah would arrive for the ceremony while Sophie went early to meet friends. James was supposed to come straight to the hall.
The schools assembly hall was transformedballoons, floral arrangements, a photo backdrop with the year printed boldly. Sarah noted with satisfaction that even without butterflies, it looked stunning.
Parents filled the seats. Sarah saved one for James, glancing repeatedly at the doors. The ceremony was fifteen minutes awaywhere was he?
She calledno answer. Texted: *Starting soon. Where are you?* He replied instantly: *On my way. 10 minutes.*
The ceremony began. The headmaster gave a speech, then graduates collected their diplomas one by one. When Sophies name was called, Sarah craned her neckJames had promised not to miss this. Then she spotted him.
He stood near the back, clapping for their daughter. Beside hima woman. A tall blonde in a red dress, younger than Sarah. She whispered something to him, and James smiledthat special smile once reserved only for his family.
Sarahs stomach dropped. So this was it. The late nights, the deleted messages. He had someone else. And hed brought her to their daughters prom.
Sophie, diploma in hand, scanned the crowd. Spotting her mother, she beamedthen saw her father and waved. The blonde beside him seemed to go unnoticed.
Sarah heard nothing else. *How could he?* She fought the urge to leave but stayed for Sophies sake.
After the ceremony, a student performance began. Sarah clapped mechanically, avoiding James directionbut her eyes betrayed her. Therethe blonde touched his arm. Therethey laughed together at a joke.
At the interval, Sarah found Sophie surrounded by friends, glowing with excitement.
«Mum! Did you see? I got straight As!»
«Of course you did, darling,» Sarah forced a smile. «Dads here toodid you see him?»
«Yeah, he waved,» Sophie nodded. «Where is he now?»
«Not sure,» Sarah kept her voice steady. «Probably talking to someone.»
Then James appearedalone.
«Congrats, sweetheart!» He lifted Sophie off her feet. «So proud of you!»
«Dad, put me down!» Sophie laughed, delighted.
Sarah watched from a step back. What now? A scene here? Pretend nothing was wrong?
«Hi,» James finally turned to her, kissing her cheek. «Sorry I missed the start. Couldnt get away.»
«Yes, I noticed,» Sarah said coldly. «Saw you come in.»
His expression shifted.
«Something wrong?»
«Everythings fine,» she looked away. «Well talk later.»
Sophie dashed off with friends, leaving them alone in the crowd.
«Seriously, whats going on?» James took her hand.
«Whos the woman you came with?»
He blinked.
«Woman? Who?»
«Dont play dumb. The blonde in red. You stood with her through the ceremony.»
To her surprise, James didnt deny it. He rubbed his forehead tiredly.
«Oh, Laura. I was going to introduce you later. Come on, shes around here somewhere.»
*»Introduce* me?»
«Sarah, what did you think» He looked genuinely shocked. «Lauras my new bosss daughter. She just moved from Manchester. Her dad asked me to show her around, bring her tonight. I couldnt say nothis projects huge.»
Sarah studied him. Plausiblebut what about the past months?
«So you had to lean that close? She had to touch your arm?» She hated how petty it sounded.
«Sarah,» he sighed. «It was loud. I was trying to hear her. As for the armdidnt even notice. Come meet her. Youll see.»
He led her through the crowd. The blonde stood by the buffet, eyeing the sandwiches.
«Laura,» James called. «This is my wife, Sarah. Sarah, Lauramy bosss daughter.»
The blonde turned, smiling warmly.
«Lovely to meet you! James talks about you both all the time. Sorry for crashing your family nightDad insisted.»
Sarah shook her hand, searching her face. Beautiful, yesbut no hint of anything beyond polite friendliness.
«No problem,» Sarah managed. «Having fun?»
«Absolutely! Brings back memories. Your daughters wonderful, by the way.»
«Thanks,» Sarahs tension eased slightly. Maybe shed imagined it all?
«Excuse meI think Im needed,» Laura hurried off.
«See?» James said quietly. «No affair. Just work.»
Sarah searched his eyesonly exhaustion and something sad.
«Then why have you been so distant? The late nights, the deleted textswhats really going on?»
He looked away, and her stomach twisted again.
«Not here,» he finally said. «After prom. I promise.»
Sophie bounded over. «Mum! Dad! Our dance with the teachers is next, then group photos!»
The rest of the evening passed in a haze. Sarah smiled, posed, chattedbut her mind churned. Laura kept her distance, occasionally talking to James, but nothing suspicious.
When the farewell waltz began, Sarah wiped a tear. Her little girl was grown. Whatever happened with James, Sophies happiness came first.
After the formalities, the graduates left to continue celebrating. Sophie hugged them both, promised not to stay out too late, and vanished with friends. Laura said her goodbyes, thanking them for including her.
Silently, Sarah and James walked to the car. The June evening was warm, but Sarah shivered.
«Fancy a walk?» James offered at the car park. «We should talk.»
They strolled through the nearby park, oblivious to the music and laughter around them.
«I owe you an apology,» James began. «Youre rightI have been hiding something.»
Sarah braced herself.
«But not what you think. I havent cheated. Ever.»
«Then what?» Her voice shook.
James took a deep breath.
«Remember my back pain? I saw a doctor. MRI showed something concerning. Needed more tests.»
Sarahs legs weakened.
«What? Why didnt you tell me?»
«Didnt want to scare you,» he stared past her. «Especially before Sophies prom. Youd both been looking forward to it.»
«What did they find?» She gripped his hand.
«At firstthey thought it might be serious,» he met her eyes. «But after all the tests? Benign. Needs surgery, but nothing life-threatening. Only got the final results two days ago.»
Sarah pressed a hand to her mouth. «And you went through that alone? Why?»
«Didnt want to worry you unnecessarily. And if it had been bad» He trailed off. «I panicked, I guess.»
Sarah pulled him into a tight embrace.
«You idiot. Were a family. For better or worse, remember?»
He held her close, face buried in her hair.
«I remember. Im sorry.»
They stood there, unaware of passers-by. Twenty years togetherand so much ahead, good and bad.
«What about Laura?» Sarah suddenly asked.
«Coincidence,» James gave a small smile. «Her dad really did ask me to bring her tonight. Shes moving here for work. And» he smirked, «shes engaged. Her fiancés visiting next week.»
Sarah laughedfrom relief, from happiness, from sheer foolishness.
«And here I was, imagining some grand affair.»
«There was a secret,» James said seriously. «But no more. I promise.»
Hand in hand, they walked on. Surgery lay ahead, and worriesbut theyd face it together. As they should.
«You know,» Sarah said suddenly, «when I saw you with her, my heart stopped. I thought Id lost you.»
«Never,» James squeezed her hand. «Hear me? Never.»
And Sarah believed himjust as she had for twenty years. Because theyd learned the most important thingto trust each other, even when circumstances suggested otherwise. And that trust was stronger than any fear.
