My iPhone’s ringing: Mum. Before I answer, I remind myself that I can’t mention any of this, so I don’t stress her out.

‘Hey, gorgeous girl. Guess what! I’m so much better. I thought I could drive down first thing and bring you home.’

I hold the phone further away, so she can’t see I feel like bursting into tears. I don’t want her to spoil everything, like she always does. ‘What does Harriet say about you coming down?’

‘She’s not sure about the idea, but you know what she’s like – always fussing.’

‘I think she’s right, Mum. You should save your energy for next week, for my final scans and when I ring the end-of-treatment bell.’

She blinks at the screen. ‘I thought you’d be missing me.’

Dad stands behind me. ‘Angelica, I promise I’m looking after her. Wouldn’t you rather have the chance to chill out some more before you come down? You haven’t had any time to yourself in twelve years.’

‘Mum, he’s right. Da—’ I stop myself just in time. ‘DL is keeping me safe and I’m quite tired; we’re going to take it easy this weekend, so it’d make me happy if you got the chance to do some stuff for yourself instead.’

‘Hmm. Well, I guess I could think of something.’ It’s hard to be sure with the blurry camera, but her voice sounds excited. The way she used to sound before I got ill and she got worried. ‘Harriet’s always trying to get me to go to the wine bar in Ledbury. Or the multiplex in Worcester – I haven’t seen a good rom-com in years.’

‘Perfect!’

But after the call ends, I feel guilty. I did want Mum to have fun, but mostly I didn’t want her to stop me having fun. This weekend is all about getting the final bit of my plan in place: Dad has to meet Gemma, I have to meet her family, and everyone has to see that I’m a mega-fun person to have around.

Chapter 29: Gemma

Saturday 21 July

Charlotte’s first birthday won’t be one she’ll remember, but that doesn’t stop us giving it the full Cole family treatment.

It starts, as always, with lunch at Patti’s Diner, where Mum and Dad went on their first dates in the eighties. We squeeze into the torn leatherette banquettes and order monster milkshakes and burgers, cooked and served by Patti’s three strong-armed daughters.

Laura loathes the place, so she’s ‘accidentally’ been rostered on this morning and won’t join us till we get to the pier. Which I’m relieved about, because at least Dan won’t have to face her till later. He has no idea what he’s in for. If he did, I don’t think he’d show.

He still might not.

‘Not hungry?’ Mum spots that I’ve left most of the fries and my bun untouched. Her question is more loaded than one of Patti’s quarter-pounders.

‘That’s right. I don’t have an appetite. I’m not pining for anyone or feeling sick because of unexpected events in the baby-making area.’