**Diary Entry 12th June**
I bumped into Mrs. Wilkins on my way to Mums today. She leaned over her garden fence, eyes gleaming with gossip. Oh, Emily, love! Off to see your mother?
Afternoon, Mrs. Wilkins. Yes, just popping in.
You might want to have a word with her, she sighed. Shes not been herself since the divorce, poor thing.
I stiffened. How so?
Well, Ive had trouble sleeping, up at dawn most days. Saw her last week, stumbling out of a cab at half five. Looked a bit well, lets say *merry*. The whole neighbourhoods talking. At her age! And why kick your dad out? Yes, he mucked up, but who doesnt? Forty years togethermadness to throw it away now.
Cheers, Mrs. Wilkins, I muttered, throat tight. Ill talk to her.
Inside, Mum met me with a teapot and a grin, dressed not in her old dressing gown but a smart cream trouser suit. Manicured nails, false lashesclearly thriving.
Hows William? she asked, setting down the cups.
All good, I said, forcing calm. But what about you?
Brilliant! Went out with the girls last nightdancing, karaoke, the lot. Proper laugh!
Mrs. Wilkins told me everything, I said darkly. That you rolled in at dawn, looking well.
Mum laughed. What did you expect? Sipping tea at a bar?
I snapped. Mum, dont you think this is a bit much?
How so?
Youre not twenty anymore. Clubs? Dancing? Youre meant to be setting an example. Youll be a *grandmother* soon.
Im finally free. I wont live by someone elses script.
But you spent *forty years* with Dad! How can you just move on?
She paused, then said quietly, Your father *chose* to betray me. I wont spend my days as a martyr. Ive lived for everyone else. Now its my turn.
Youre nearly fifty!
So? Age doesnt come with a rulebook.
I backtracked. Sorry, I didnt meanI just worry.
If youre ashamed, dont invite me to the wedding. But I wont hide my grey hair under some frumpy hat. Ill dance. I might even flirt. Im *happy*.
No, Mum, I want you there. Its just
Auntie Wilkins disapproves? Tough. Im finally *living*.
Later, I told William everything. I dont know how to feel.
He grinned. Your mums bloody brilliant. Chose life over misery. Whats wrong with that?
That weekend, I rang her. Fancy a spa day, then cocktails with live music?
Wont I embarrass you?
Ill tell them youre my older sister, I teased.
Deal. But were not leaving early.
That day changed things. For the first time, I saw the steel in her. Maybe I ought to learn from herto live not by should, but by *want*.
