«Youre past your prime, Emma! Im ashamed to bring you to my business partners, so Ive taken a mistress,» I announced, my voice echoing across the polished oak table at the end of the night.
Lately Emma had been swamped. Shed launched her own tailoring boutique in Shoreditch, pouring every spare hour into the venture, hoping to carve out a niche under the London sun. When I mentioned that there was a charity gala that evening, she snapped to attention.
«I dont need to be there,» I told her, trying to sound considerate. «I understand how busy you are, and Ill go alone. But it isnt right to treat the family as an afterthought.» She called the manager of the venue, explained that she couldnt attend because a client fitting required her presence and she needed to look the part.
She filled the bathtub with scented oils, intent on unwinding after a long day. The citrus and pine aromas filled the steamfilled room. As she closed her eyes, her phone, perched on the edge of the tub, began to ring. She rinsed the foam from her hands, dried them on a hanging towel, and answered.
It was Imogen, our daughter, studying abroad in Edinburgh. «Mum, hi! Ive read about your boutique online brilliant work. Dad must be proud, right? I was surprised when you sent me that link. How do you manage everything? And you still help Dad, dont you?» Emma laughed softly.
«I didnt want to brag before the launch, but the orders are already coming in. I love it; Ive always wanted to try something new. Honestly, the family business that Dad and I built always felt suffocating. I dreamed of a place where I could be creative, and now its finally happening,» Emma replied.
They chatted about the weather for a moment before Imogen rushed off to her university. Her exchange year was almost over; half a year remained. Emma smiled, grateful for her supportive family, and the thought warmed her through the evening.
Later, when she pulled up to the hotel where the gala was being held, a stern security guard stopped her. «Im sorry, madam, you cant enter without an invitation.»
«Then fetch my husband. He has a twoperson invite,» she said, rolling her eyes.
«Whats your husbands surname?» the guard asked.
Simon Bennett. The guard checked the list, exchanged a glance with his colleague, and chuckled. «Theres been a mixup, madam. Simon Bennett already entered with his wife.»
«With his wife?» Emma repeated, bewildered.
«Yes, the list says hes arrived with his spouse. You cant sneak in as a guest. This is a private event, and if youre a journalist without an invitation»
Just then, a velvety voice called from behind, «David, whats happening?» I turned and saw an old schoolmate, David Clarke, whom I hadnt spoken to in years. The security guards seemed confused; they thought my husband had already arrived with his wife, so they were turning Emma away.
«David?» I exclaimed, surprised. «I didnt expect to run into you here.»
David smiled, nodded at the guards, and said, «Shes with me.»
Emma was speechless. She had intended to surprise me, but now the plan was unravelled. I wondered whether I, like David, had also slipped a guest in under my name.
David asked how I was doing. «I see youve married well, and your husband is here?» he said, still grinning.
«Yes, we built this from the ground up together. Now I have my own shop. If you ever need a bespoke suit, just let me know,» Emma replied, handing him a business card.
Inside the ballroom, I started scanning for my wife. Hows life? Youve got yourself a decent husband, I hear, David teased.
Its been a climb, Emma answered. We started low, and now I run my own boutique. If you need a custom outfit, Im your girl.
I found Emma, but before I could speak, the man Id taken as a lover, a striking young woman in a sequined dress, slipped his arm around me and kissed my cheek. Darling, would you like a drink?
I stared, stunned. What? Who is she? I shouted, feeling a wave of humiliation.
Im not opposed, Emma said, standing a few metres away, eyes fixed on the newcomer. Your wife should be supporting you at a big event, remember?
The woman, younger than our daughter, fluttered her eyelashes. You shouldnt be here, I muttered, turning to the security guard. Shes not supposed to be.
Emma calmly replied, I came to back my husband. You said this was important, didnt you? She glanced at the flirtatious guest. No explanation needed.
I glared at the intruder. Youre not supposed to be here, I snapped, then turned to Emma, Polly, step aside, grab a bite. Ill be back. I tugged her by the elbow and dragged her toward the garden. Once we were out of sight, I glared at her. You couldve ruined everything. I didnt invite you.
Because you brought someone else? Emma retorted.
I felt my temper rise. Id never expected to hear such cruelty from my own wife. Youre old, Emma! Im embarrassed to show you to my partners, which is why I got a lover. Thats how it works in our circles. A wife should sparkle, not look like a tired horse. Youre doing fine, though, I sneered, trying to justify my actions.
David, watching from a distance, said, Shes lovely, but she doesnt have to worry about annual reports or where to dump money to keep afloat. Smart choice, Mr. Bennett.
I just shook my head. Twenty years of marriage, and you think Ive only had one? I muttered. It wont change the future. Just leave quietly. Ill be home soon and well talk.
There was nothing left to argue about. Id made my decision. I wasnt going to keep pretending everything was perfect just because its what most couples do. If Id betrayed once, I could do it again; I didnt need to fool myself with fantasies.
Emma left the garden, sat on a bench under a dim streetlamp, and tried to digest what had happened. David sat beside her, silent but reassuring. His presence, though not intrusive, soothed her. He recalled schoolyard antics, and Emma laughed, letting go of her worries. For a moment she felt like the carefree girl she once was, before lifes responsibilities took over.
I always dreamed of growing up, but now I just want to go back to school, she sighed.
I get it, David replied. If you need any help, Im here. I can even give you a lift home.
David wasnt the only one with a story. He confessed hed never truly settled down, no wife, just fleeting romances. Emma didnt press him further; she didnt need more drama.
Emmas thoughts turned to the boutique. Shed built it herself, never relying on me to bring home the bacon. When our daughter Imogen was born, Emma spent sleepless nights checking accounts and supporting me. Shed been my muse, the source of fresh ideas, and now she felt burnt out.
When she said goodbye to David at the entrance, she headed back to the place that once felt like home but now felt foreign. She decided not to tell Imogen about the impending divorce; she didnt want to add stress while her daughter was still abroad.
My brother, Tom, had always thought my marriage was a polished front for business. You need a pretty picture for the brand, and youre providing it, hed said. The money doesnt grow on trees; you have to manage it carefully. I tried to brush off his remarks.
Emma, however, retorted, You think about the daughter now? Too late, Simon. She spoke flatly, her voice detached.
Wed been sleeping in separate rooms for months. The next morning, Emma decided to move into a flat near the boutique she could no longer stand looking at me. I opposed the divorce, making things harder; I still had the business to run and needed her expertise.
Negotiations dragged on. Lawyers split the assets. At first I wanted to keep the house and give her the business, but eventually she claimed everything shed helped create. In the end, we divided everything 5050. The court saw through my attempts to bribe the judge and awarded a fair split.
I called Imogen, hoping shed persuade her mother to stay, but she sided with Emma. When Imogen returned home, she helped at the boutique and avoided my office. She couldnt forgive my infidelity.
Emmas life gradually fell back into place. Letting go of twenty years of marriage was hard, but she kept moving. My business suffered without her; my mind kept drifting back to the old photographs. My lover looked nothing like Emma, and I realized the emptiness of my choices.
Youre old, Emma! Im ashamed to flaunt you, so I took a lover. Thats the norm, Id once said, trying to rationalise. She looks great, doesnt have to think about reports or where to invest. Good pick, Simon. The words now felt like ash in my mouth.
Emmas boutique flourished. Orders poured in, and she began planning an expansion. One day the phone rang.
David, the voice said. You gave me a card for a suit
Oi, Dave, were swamped, but well make an exception for you, Emma replied, smiling.
Honestly, I just wanted an excuse to call. How about a coffee? David asked.
She laughed, accepting. Perhaps it was a chance to start anew. No longer would she chase anyones approval; shed learned to love herself first. Time flew, but she wouldnt waste it fearing solitude in old age. With Davids support, there was a spark of hope for happiness.
And so, as I watched from the bar, I realized the world keeps turning, even when you think youve lost everything. Emma, with her head held high, was ready for the next chapter, and perhaps I, too, could learn something from her resilience.
