Mrs. Tatiana Winters, you must be mad! This is a graduation, not a carnival!» Mrs. Harrington, the form tutor of Year 13, threw up her hands in disbelief. «Live butterflies? Where on earth would we even get them? And more importantlywhy?»
«But it has to be something special, Mrs. Harrington!» Tatiana insisted, tapping her pen against the list of ideas. «This is our children’s last school celebration. Theyll remember it for the rest of their lives!»
The headmasters office was crowded with members of the graduation committee. Emily sat quietly in the corner, her mind driftingwork deadlines, unpaid bills, and the quiet, gnawing worry about her husband, who had seemed increasingly distant lately.
«Mrs. Emily Clarke, what do you think?» Mrs. Harringtons voice snapped her back to reality. «You work in event planning, dont you?»
Emily straightened in her chair, gathering her thoughts. «I think we should focus on what really matters to the kids,» she said calmly. «Good music, a photo booth, maybe a small buffet. The rest is just unnecessary stress on the budget.»
Tatiana pursed her lips. «Of course, youre always cutting corners. The children want a proper celebration!»
«They want to enjoy themselves with their friends, not gawk at butterflies,» Emily countered gently. «Ask Charlotte if you dont believe me.»
The mention of her daughter softened Tatiana somewhat. «Fine, lets vote. Whos in favour of a simpler plan?»
Most hands went up, and Emily exhaled in relief. One problem down. Now if only she could figure out what was happening at home.
On her way back, she called her husband. «Hello, James? Still at work?» she asked, weaving through the car park.
«Yeah, running late,» he replied, his voice weary. «Big project. Dont wait up for dinner.»
«Again?» She couldnt hide the disappointment. «Third time this week.»
«Emily, not now,» irritation crept into his tone. «Im working, not having a laugh. And dont worryIll be there for Charlottes graduation.»
«Fine,» she decided not to push it. «See you tomorrow.»
At home, Charlotte was hunched over a history textbook at the kitchen table. Exams were over, but university loomed ahead.
«How was the meeting?» she asked without looking up. «Did you save us from another of Mrs. Winters mad ideas?»
Emily smiled, pulling ingredients from the fridge. «Would you believe she wanted live butterflies?»
Charlotte grimaced. «Ugh. Id spend the whole night terrified one would land on me.»
«My thoughts exactly. Dads late again.»
«Shocking,» Charlotte deadpanned. Then, hesitantly: «Mum do you ever think hes?»
«What?» Emily froze, knife in hand.
«Nothing, forget it.»
But the seed was planted. Over the next two weeks, as graduation preparations swallowed her time, Emily couldnt shake the feelingJames late nights, his guarded phone, the way hed flinch if she walked in unexpectedly. Twenty years of marriage, and now this silence.
On graduation day, Emily got her hair done, slipped into an elegant navy dress, and blinked back tears as Charlotteradiant in whitegrumbled about her smudging her makeup.
The school hall was transformed. Balloons, flowers, a photo wallexactly as planned. Emily left a seat for James, checking her phone. He texted: *Running late. Be there in 10.*
As the ceremony began, she spotted him by the far wallapplauding as Charlotte received her diploma. Beside him stood a woman. Blonde, tall, in a red dress. She whispered something, and James smiledthe private smile that used to be just for family.
The floor tilted beneath Emily. So this was it. The late nights, the secrecy. He hadnt even bothered to hide her at their daughters graduation.
After the ceremony, James found her. «Who is she?» Emily demanded.
His eyes widened. «Marina? Shes my bosss daughter. Just arrived from Manchester. He asked me to show her around»
«Really?» Emilys voice was ice.
James sighed. «Come meet her.»
The blondeMarinashook Emilys hand warmly. «Your husbands been so kind. Sorry for intruding!»
Later, in the park, James finally confessed: «Ive been hiding something. Not an affair. II had tests done. They found something suspicious.»
Emilys blood ran cold.
«It turned out benign,» he rushed to add. «But I didnt want to worry you before we knew. Especially with Charlottes graduation.»
She clung to him, equal parts furious and relieved. «You idiot. Were supposed to face these things together.»
James held her tight. «I know. Im sorry.»
As they walked home, hand in hand, Emily realised how close shed come to doubting everything. But twenty years of trust couldnt be undone so easily. Whatever came next, theyd face itside by side.
