‘I bet he couldn’t stand being with you. Because you’re horrible to everyone, the entire time. I wish you weren’t here. I wish you weren’t my mum!’

I see the shock on Casey’s own face as the words leave her mouth. But it’s too late. The damage is done.

No one speaks. Eventually I try. ‘Casey, you need to apologize to your mum.’

‘I won’t . . . I can’t . . . Nothing is fair. Nothing!’ Casey turns round and stomps off to her room. I brace myself for the door slamming, but somehow it’s worse when she closes it with extreme care.

Angelica’s face is hard and expressionless. ‘Should I go and talk to her, see if I can calm her down?’ I suggest, though I don’t know where I’d begin.

Now Angelica’s mouth twists into a grimace. ‘How will you do that? By taking her side against me again? Or maybe you can buy your way out of trouble.’

I shake my head. ‘Look, I know I’ve got a lot of things wrong, but this isn’t helping the situation. Did you really drive all the way back down here just to have a go at me?’

She scoffs. ‘You are irrelevant. I drove here to see my girl, because I missed her. And I thought she might be missing—’ She stops herself. I think Casey’s cruel words are still bruising her.

‘She has been missing you.’

Angelica’s eyes mist over. If she can only let her guard down, maybe I can apologize and we can begin sharing the burden of worrying about Casey.

But when she blinks, I see the shutters closing again. ‘I’m surprised that Gemma woman is your type.’ She pulls a face.

‘Why?’

‘Always thought you aimed higher.’

I don’t even know where to begin responding to that. But Angelica hasn’t finished. ‘I bet she’s loving you, though. Has she come over to your penthouse?’

I could lie, it’s not like Angelica is asking because she cares – she’s only looking for more reasons to hate me. But there have been so many bloody lies. ‘Once. Briefly. It’s very early days.’

‘And Casey was here at the same time?’

I shrug. ‘Yes. Casey likes her a lot. And her dog.’

Angelica’s lip curls up in disgust. ‘Careful, Daniel. Women Gemma’s age are only after one thing.’

‘Angelica, please.’

‘I’m trying to do you a favour. She must think she’s hit the jackpot: a man with a fancy flat and a cute daughter to prove he won’t shy away from commitment. I bet she thinks you’re daddy material. Just wait till she finds out the truth.’

The bitterness seems to eat Angelica up, but I can’t blame her for how she’s feeling. ‘Gemma’s not like that. And you’re right: I haven’t gone for women like her in the past. But she’s generous and kind, and perhaps she’s come into my life at the right time. To teach me how to open up with Casey?’

Angelica is shaking, her face twisting with hurt and rage.