28October2025
Dear Diary,
Work has been crushing me lately. I finally opened my own bespoke tailoring shop in Camden, pouring every spare hour into it, hoping it will soon earn its place in the sun. Then I remembered the charity dinner this evening that Stephen mentioned in passing, and a wave of panic hit me.
Stephen told me I didnt need to attend; he understands how swamped I am and will go alone. Still, I cant shirk my duties to the family. I called the event manager and explained that I couldnt make it because I have a deadline and need to look presentable. I slipped into the bath, adding a splash of lavender and citrus oils, hoping the steam would melt away the tension.
The fragrant steam washed over me when my phone, propped on the tub rim, began to ring. I wiped the suds from my hands, grabbed a towel, and answered.
Hey Mum, Lilys voice burst through, bright despite the miles. Shes studying abroad in Edinburgh and I miss her terribly. I cant wait to hug her, even though shes no longer a little girlshell always be my baby.
Sunshine, hello! I said, smiling at the thought of her. Ive read about your new shopbrilliant! Stephen must be bursting with pride. I cant believe you actually went for it after all those years of just putting out fires. How do you juggle everything? And still help Stephen with his numbers?
It felt right to finally launch. Ive always wanted to create something of my own, away from the old family business that used to choke me. Now Im living the dream.
We chatted about the weather before Lily sprinted off to her university. Shell be back in six months, and the thought of her return fills me with warmth. I keep thinking how lucky I am to have this family, and the feeling sustains me until I pull into the venue for the dinner.
A stern security guard blocked the entrance. Im sorry, maam, no entry without a proper invitation, he said.
Then fetch my husband. He has a twoperson invite, I replied, trying not to let his tone ruffle me.
Whats your husbands surname? he asked.
Bessington, Stephen James, I answered, rolling my eyes at his dismissiveness. It felt absurd that a gatekeeper could treat guests like that.
He checked the list, exchanged a grin with his colleague, and chuckled. Theres been a mixup. Stephen Bessington has already entered with his wife.
My wife? I echoed, baffled.
Yes, the list shows he came in with his partner. You wont be able to slip past us now. This is a private event, and if youre a journalist not on the list
Anton, whats happening? a smooth, velvettoned voice called from behind me.
I turned and was stunned to see Daniel, an old schoolmate I hadnt spoken to in years. Wed drifted apart after those chaotic teenage days, but here he was, unexpected as a summer rain.
Daniel? I never thought Id see you here, I stammered. The guards think my husband has already entered with his wife, so they wont let me in.
Daniel gave the guards a reassuring nod. Shes with me, he said.
I was at a loss for how to thank him. I should have called Stephen beforehand, but I assumed hed handle his own invite. I never imagined Daniel, once the kid who constantly got sent to the headmaster, would now be a director. Could it be true?
Hows life treating you? Married the right man, I see? he asked, still smiling.
We built everything from the ground up, together. Now I run my own shop. If you ever need a custom suit, just let me know. I handed him my card.
Inside the hall, I scanned for Stephen. Daniel slipped his arm around me, and we walked toward the bar.
How about you? Beat the teachers expectations and landed somewhere decent? he teased.
Who cares about their expectations? Grades dont decide everything, he replied modestly. You havent changed a bitstill as handsome as ever. Its nice to run into you like this.
Back in school, Daniel had once asked me out, but I was too focused on my studies and ambitions to entertain romance. After university I drifted further from our old circle. Seeing him now felt oddly comforting.
When Stephen finally appeared, I thanked Daniel again and hurried to my husband.
My love, youre my greatest inspiration, Stephen declared proudly, and my heart swelled at his wordsuntil a strikingly young woman in a glittering dress was tugged into his arms.
Polly, would you like a drink? he asked, his voice light.
I froze. Polly? He was introducing a stranger as his partner? The audacity!
I dont mind, I said, standing a few metres away, watching the scene unfold.
Stephens eyes widened in shock. He cleared his throat, apologized to his companions, and turned toward me. The woman, clearly his new flame, followed him in high heels, clicking across the floor.
What are you doing here? Stephen whispered, halfshouting.
I came to support my husband. You said this event was important, I replied calmly, watching the young woman glide toward him. Are you not going to explain?
You shouldnt be here! Stephen snapped, glancing at his guest. Polly, go somewhere else and have a bite. Ill be back soon. He roughly gripped my elbow and pulled me toward the garden, away from the crowd.
Once we were a safe distance apart, he glared at me. You could have ruined everything. I didnt ask you to come.
Because you brought someone else? I retorted.
I tried not to let the anger swallow me. I just wanted to understand what was missing from his life at this age, why hed seek such a reckless diversion. His companions were clearly aware of our history.
Youre old, Emily! Im embarrassed to show you to my mates, so I got a lover, he sneered. A wife in our circle needs to sparkle, not look like a tired horse. Youve done your part, havent you?
He seemed to think he was holding an audition for mistresses, naming them after his wife. I felt a deep, bitter disappointment settle in my chest.
Of course she looks lovely. She doesnt have to worry about annual reports or where to invest the next pound, he added smugly. Good choice, Bessington.
He shook his head. Twenty years of marriage, and you think youre the only one Ive ever had? Its normal. It wont affect our future. Just go home, and well talk later.
There was nothing left to discuss. Id made my peace: I wasnt going to stay in a pictureperfect marriage simply because thats how others behaved. If Stephen could betray once, he could do it again; I wouldnt feed his delusions.
I resolved to rely on my business, which was finally thriving, and on Lily, who had become my steadfast supporter. Stephen left, and I sat on a bench beneath a dim streetlamp, trying to digest everything. Daniel joined me, sitting quietly. He didnt intrude, yet his presence was oddly soothing. We reminisced about school pranks, laughed, and for a moment I felt like that carefree girl againfree of worries, back in a time that could never be reclaimed.
I always wanted to grow up, but now I just wish I could go back to school, I sighed.
I get it, Daniel replied. If you ever need anything, just shout. I can even give you a lift home.
He wasnt looking for romance; he simply wanted to help. It struck me that the partners at the event were all wearing masks of friendliness, playing their parts without rehearsal, as graceful as a wellchoreographed dance.
Will your wife mind? Daniel asked cheekily.
I dont have a wife, I said, smiling at the irony.
He shrugged, Never managed to love anyone properly. Relationships happen, but nothing lasting.
I didnt press him; I knew my life was already tangled enough. Id built my shop from nothing, never relied on Stephens income. Even when Lily was born, I burned the midnight oil, balancing the books and feeding his ideas. Now I was exhausted.
After saying goodbye to Daniel, I entered the building that once felt like home and now felt foreign. Lily was old enough to understand my choices, but I didnt want to burden her with news of divorce while she was still abroad. Shed find out later, and that seemed kinder.
Stephen never supported the idea of splitting up. He kept insisting the business needed a polished image, and I retorted, You think money just falls from the sky? He tried to sway me with promises about Lily, but it was too little, too late.
We began sleeping in separate rooms. The next morning I decided to move into a flat above my workshopany contact with Stephen felt unbearable. He fought the divorce fiercely, but I hired competent solicitors, and we eventually split the assets 5050. Stephen tried to bribe the judge, but the law saw the truth: the business owed much of its success to me.
When Stephen phoned Lily, hoping shed convince me to stay, she sided with me, returning home to help with the shop and refusing to see her father. She could never forgive his betrayal.
Life slowly steadied. Letting go of twenty years of marriage wasnt easy, but my business kept me busy, and Lilys support buoyed me. Stephens firm faltered without my input; he tried repeatedly to win me back, pleading for forgiveness, but trust, once broken, doesnt mend easily.
The tailoring shop flourished, orders piled up, and I even considered expanding. One afternoon, the phone rang.
Dave, its Daniel. You gave me your card for a suit, right? he said.
Dave, yes! Were swamped, but for you well make an exception, I replied, smiling.
I actually just needed a reason to call. Fancy a coffee sometime? he asked.
I laughed, accepting the invitation. Perhaps this was a fresh start, a chance to begin anew. I no longer chased the future blindly; I learned to love myself first. Time flies, but I wont waste it fearing loneliness in old age. My heart tells me Im not wrong, and with Daniel there might be happiness ahead.
