‘No. To protect my girl. You don’t have kids, do you?’

I shake my head, which is throbbing with stress.

‘Thought not. Because if you did, you’d know how far I’d go to keep Casey safe.’

She’s so self-righteous and I won’t win this argument. But however much she threatens, she won’t ruin what’s developing between me and Dan. We might have to keep us quiet for a bit, until he can prove to Angelica that he’s serious about his relationship with Casey. But things are bound to settle down.

‘Fine. Can I get past now? My dog is in the classroom with the kids who look forward to a little respite when they’re in the middle of their treatment.’

She rears back, as though Bear has appeared in my arms and wants to give her huge slobbery kisses. I walk ahead though my legs are weak after the confrontation.

‘Gemma?’

I don’t turn round because whatever she wants to say, it won’t be nice.

‘For your sake, don’t believe a word that comes out of his mouth. He’ll just tell you what you want to hear, never the truth. Dan Lennon only ever thinks of number one.’

It’s only when I’m in the classroom that I’m calm enough to realize: if Angelica is picking up Casey, then Dan isn’t coming . . .

And when Casey slinks off without saying a proper goodbye, it’s a struggle to make small talk with Jed. When I tell him I think I’ve eaten something that doesn’t agree with me, he’s advising me to see the GP as it’s the second time it’s happened, and saying he’ll text me his mother’s recipe for ginger tea.

Outdoors, Bear pulls me towards the shade to stay cool. I step towards the university gardens and call Dan’s number, in case I’ve got it all wrong and he’s waiting for me—

It rings once before diverting to voicemail.

‘Hi, um, I think we’re meant to be getting together. I’m at the hospital, but your ex was there. Does that mean you’re not coming? Call me back, please?’

Bear does his customary roll on the grass, so the crisp blades massage his body. I won’t let Angelica’s words mess with my head. She’s had a rough time, but that doesn’t mean I should listen to her.

Except . . . I’ve only met Dan a handful of times; do I really know him better than she does?

With Andrew, our relationship was the way it should be, when you’re a grown-up who has found the person you’re going to marry: we were romantic and sweet and careful. We built foundations. Trust. As a result we were solid, even when the world threw the worst at us.

But my attraction to Dan is not an adult, rational thing. These last three weeks, emotions took over. I don’t trust them, and perhaps I shouldn’t trust him.

Although I haven’t been honest with him, either. I’ve kept the most important thing in my life a secret. It’s despicable, now I think it through: letting him care about me, when the transfer could be a deal-breaker. It would be, for most men.