‘I remember now,’ she said, waving a finger at him, ‘I saw you at my last school. You were with Jamie Wood, at his school play. He played a very convincing Joseph.’

‘That wasn’t me. You’re thinking of someone else.’ He suddenly felt wide awake.

‘Oh, really? I suppose I must be. Although you have the kind of face a woman doesn’t forget.’ Her face turned tomato red.

‘What are you drinking?’ He steered her towards a table, letting his fingers linger on her arm. She was a good-looking woman but dangerous if she started spouting off in front of Maddy.

‘Sparkling water, please.’ She gazed up at him longer than necessary. He smiled and winked, let her think he was interested. Hopefully keep her trap shut if she thought she was in with a chance.

‘Wait here, I’ll bring it over.’ He patted her arm.

While he was waiting to be served at the bar, Maddy turned up with Chloe. They were talking to Helen. Shit. They kept looking in his direction, but he couldn’t catch Maddy’s eye. She didn’t look too happy, but then he was already in the doghouse.

‘What have you two been gassing about?’ He laughed nervously.

‘Miss Smith says Chloe has exceptional talent,’ Maddy said, taking the drink from him.

He pulled a face at Miss Smith to say sorry. Miss Smith lowered her eyelashes which told him he wasn’t to worry.

‘The last singing teacher was useless,’ Maddy said. ‘It’s great that you’ve joined us here. Where were you before?’

‘I was just saying to your husband, I’ve recently moved down from Huntingdon.’

Max glared at Helen, willing her not to say any more. She shot him a seductive glance under her eyelashes. Cheeky mare.

‘It’s so exciting to come across a voice like Chloe’s.’ Miss Smith touched Chloe’s shoulder.

‘We had no idea she could sing so well,’ Maddy said. ‘She’s always been chosen for the choir, but we hadn’t heard her sing solo apart from the odd tune in the shower.’ They all laughed.

‘Let me fetch some more drinks,’ Max said.

Chloe followed him.

‘Why were you late, Dad?’

‘I told you, I got held up at work.’ He leaned over the bar and ordered another glass of sparkling water and an orange juice. He ground his teeth together. What kind of fucking dad lies to his kids? His own dad, that’s who. Well bloody done, he’d become as useless as his own father.

‘But you nearly missed it.’

‘I know, darling, and I’m as annoyed as you are, believe me, sweetheart.’ He kissed the top of her head and squeezed his eyes shut. ‘I promise I won’t miss anything again.’ This was killing him, he had to put a stop to it before he destroyed everyone he loved.