**Thursday, 12th October**
Lily and her best mate Emily decided to take a detour through Hyde Park after their classes. The evening was crisp, the last golden leaves clinging to the trees as if reluctant to let go of summer.
We strolled down the path, passing couples wrapped up in each other, lost in whispered conversations. None of them spared us a glance. Then, turning onto a quieter lane, we saw thema man and a woman, locked in an embrace. He was murmuring something into her ear, and she was smiling, radiant. Though his back was to us, I could tell he wasnt young.
Emily barely noticed, but I froze, my stomach twisting.
“Lily? Whats wrong?” Emily nudged me.
“Nothing,” I muttered, quickening my pace.
We left the park shortly after, and I barely spoke the whole way home. How could it be? That was *him*. My dad.
Mum was in the kitchen, arms crossed. “Sit down, dinners ready. You and your fathernever home when youre supposed to be.”
“Ill just wash my hands first,” I mumbled, locking myself in the bathroom for ages. When I finally sat down, Dad still wasnt back. I picked at my food, the image of that womans happy face burned into my mind.
Later, at my desk, I stared blankly at my laptop. Was this really how adults lived? Lies and secrets as ordinary as tea and biscuits? What was missing in his life? Was he really going to leave us for *her*?
Thenan idea.
The front door creaked open. “Sorry, love. Long day,” Dad called out.
“Used to be just at months end,” Mum shot back. “Now every days a long day.”
He poked his head into my room, reaching to kiss my forehead, but I flinched.
“Everything alright, sweetheart?”
“Peachy,” I said flatly.
The next morning, I heard Mums voice sharp in the hall. “James, where are you off to?”
“Work. Urgent.”
“Its Saturday. Couldnt you spend *one* day with your family?”
“Ill be back by lunch, promise.”
I feigned a yawn as I stepped out. “Mum, Ive got piano. Running late.”
She huffed. “Honestly, the pair of you”
Dad offered to walk me. We barely spoke until he finally asked, “Are you upset with me?”
“No, Dad. Just teenage mood swings,” I said, forcing a smile. “I love you, you know.”
“Love you too, Lils.”
“More than anything?”
He hesitated, then nodded. “More than anything.”
At the corner, I pretended to head to my lesson, then doubled back, trailing him through unfamiliar streets until he stopped outside a flat. A woman emergedtall, elegantand kissed him. My chest tightened.
They walked to a bench, talking earnestly before kissing again. I clenched my fists.
Later, as the woman tossed rubbish into the bins, I stepped in front of her. “Hello.”
She blinked. “Can I help you?”
“If you meet James again, youll regret it.”
“Who *are* you?”
“His daughter.” My voice shook. “Call him. Now. Tell him its over.”
She hesitated but dialled. Dads voice crackled through. “Diana? Whats wrong?”
“James, we shouldnt see each other anymore.”
“But”
“Im leaving after uni. This wont work.”
A pause. Then, softly, “Alright. Goodbye.”
When I got home, Mum and Dad were at the table, laughing over shepherds pie.
“Youre cheery,” Mum remarked.
“Dad,” I said, ignoring her, “do you love me?”
“Course I do.”
“And Mum?”
A beat. Then, firmly: “Yes. I love your mum.”
He sounded like he meant it. For now, that was enough.
