«Mrs. Thompson, have you lost your mind? This is a prom, not a carnival!» Mrs. Henderson, the Year 13 form tutor, threw up her hands in disbelief. «Live butterflies? Where on earth would we even get them? And more importantly, why?»
Charlotte Thompson tapped her pen insistently against the list of ideas. «But it has to be something special! This is our children’s last school celebration. They’ll remember it forever!»
In the headteacher’s office, the prom committee had gathered. Emily sat quietly in the corner, her mind elsewhereupcoming work deadlines, unpaid bills, and the nagging worry about her husband, who’d seemed increasingly distant lately.
«Emily Wilson, what do you think?» Mrs. Henderson’s 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 kidsgood music, a photo booth, maybe a simple buffet. Everything else is unnecessary and will just drain the budget.»
Charlotte pursed her lips. «Of course, you always favour cutting costs. The children want something magical!»
«They want to celebrate with their friends, not stare at butterflies,» Emily countered gently. «Ask Sophie if you dont believe me.»
At the mention of her daughter, Charlotte relented. «Fine, lets vote. Whos in for the simpler option?»
Most hands went up, and Emily exhaled in relief. One less problem. Now, if only she could figure out what was happening at home.
On her way back, she dialled her husband. «James? Still at work?» she asked, weaving through the car park.
«Yes, running late,» he replied wearily. «This projects a nightmare. Dont wait up for dinner.»
«Again?» She couldnt hide her disappointment. «Third time this week.»
«Em, not now,» he snapped. «Im working, not out having fun. And dont worryIll be there for Sophies prom.»
«Fine.» She dropped it. «See you tomorrow.»
At home, Sophie was hunched over her history textbook. Exams were over, but A-level results loomed.
«How was the meeting?» she asked without looking up. «Save us from another of Charlottes mad ideas?»
Emily smiled, pulling ingredients from the fridge. «You wont believe itshe wanted live butterflies.»
Sophie grimaced. «Gross. Id spend the whole night terrified one would land on me.»
«Exactly what I said. Dads late again.»
«Shocker.» Sophie shrugged. «Mum… do you ever think hes…»
«What?» Emily froze, knife in hand.
«Nothing, forget it.»
Emily resumed chopping, but her mind raced. Had Sophie noticed Jamess odd behaviour too? Late nights, hushed calls, deleted messages. Twenty years of marriage, and now this.
«Mum, the onions are minced to paste,» Sophie pointed out.
«Just thinking.» She wiped away tearsblaming the onions.
The next fortnight flew by in a blur of work and prom preparations. James kept odd hours but promised hed be on time.
On prom night, Emily had her hair done, nails polished, makeup flawless. At forty-five, she still turned heads, especially in her elegant navy dress. Sophie insisted she look her best»Let my friends be jealous!»
Sophie herself was radiant in white. Emily fought back tears. «Im so proud of you.»
«Dont cry, or Ill disown you,» Sophie teased, eyes glistening too.
The school hall was transformedballoons, flowers, a photo booth. Emily noted with satisfaction that it looked perfect even without butterflies.
Parents filled the seats. Emily saved a spot for James, checking the door. Fifteen minutes to gono sign of him.
She texted: *Starting soon. Where are you?*
His reply came fast: *On my way. 10 minutes.*
The ceremony began. The headteacher spoke; students collected their certificates. When Sophies name was called, Emily craned her neckJames had promised not to miss this.
Then she saw him.
James stood by the far wall, clapping. Beside hima woman. Tall, blonde, in a red dress, younger than Emily. She whispered something, and James smiledthat private smile he once reserved only for family.
Emilys stomach dropped. So this was it. The late nights, the secrecy. He hadnt even hidden her from their daughter.
Sophie, clutching her certificate, beamed at her parents before returning to her seat. The ceremony continued, but Emily heard none of it.
Afterwards, during the concert, she avoided looking at Jamesbut her eyes betrayed her. The woman touched his arm; they laughed together.
At the interval, Emily found Sophie, who threw her arms around her. «Mum! Did you see? Straight A*s!»
«Of course you did, clever girl.» Emily forced a smile. «Dads heredid you see him?»
«Yes! Where is he now?»
«Not sure.»
Just then, James appearedalone. «Congratulations, love!» He lifted Sophie off her feet, making her laugh.
Emily watched, torn. Confront him now? Pretend nothing was wrong?
«Hi,» James kissed her cheek. «Sorry I was late.»
«I noticed,» she said icily.
His expression shifted. «Whats wrong?»
«Whos the woman you arrived with?»
He blinked. «What? OhLucy. I was going to introduce you later.»
Emily stiffened. «Introduce me to your?»
«God, Em, no!» He looked genuinely shocked. «Shes my new bosss daughter. Just moved here. He asked me to show her around. Its strictly professional.»
Emily studied his faceno guilt, just exhaustion.
«Then why have you been so distant?» she pressed.
He hesitated. «Not here. Later.»
Sophie dragged them off for photos. The night blurreddancing, speeches. Lucy kept her distance.
Afterwards, as they walked to the car, James finally spoke. «I owe you an apology. Youre rightI have been hiding something.»
Emily braced herself.
«Its not what you think. I havent cheated. Never would.»
«Then what?»
He took a deep breath. «Remember my back pain? I had scans. They found something… suspicious. More tests were needed.»
Emilys legs wavered. «Why didnt you tell me?»
«Didnt want to scare younot before Sophies big night. I only got the all-clear two days ago. Benign. Just needs minor surgery.»
«You» She choked up. «You went through that alone?»
«I was scared, Em.»
She pulled him close. «You idiot. Were a family. For better or worse, remember?»
He held her tightly. «Im sorry.»
They stood there, clinging to each other. Twenty years together, and so much aheadgood and bad.
«And Lucy?» Emily asked.
«Just coincidence. Shes actually engagedher fiancé arrives next week.»
Emily laughed shakily. «And here I was, imagining all sorts.»
«There was a secret,» he admitted. «But no more. Promise.»
Hand in hand, they walked on. The road ahead wasnt smoothbut theyd face it together.
«You know,» Emily said softly, «when I saw you with her, my heart stopped. I thought Id lost you.»
«Never,» he squeezed her hand. «Never.»
And she believed himjust as she had for twenty years. Because trust, once earned, is stronger than fear. And love, when real, outlasts every doubt.
The lesson? Jumping to conclusions steals joy. Sometimes, the truth is simplerand kinderthan we imagine.
