I have to tell him. No more excuses. That’s how we’ll know if this – whatever it is – can outlast July.

When I check WhatsApp, he’s online, so I type a message:

Where are you? Are we still meeting up?

The app tells me he’s been typing for so long that he must be writing me a Dear John message. What the hell changed since Saturday?

Finally the reply appears, stupidly short:

Things have got tricky. I don’t think it’s a good idea tonight.

I type back:

Is it Angelica? She told me I shouldn’t be with you or see Casey again.

He doesn’t reply.

Dan. Don’t ghost me, it’s not fair. Please, we need to talk about this. Unless that connection was all in my head after all.

He goes offline and I want to throw the phone across the grass. I don’t need this crap now. I need to be calm and well balanced and . . . the handset buzzes.

It wasn’t in your head. You’re right. 7 by the Observatory? I’ll come alone.

Chapter 35: Dan

When I get home from work, Angelica has closed all the doors and windows again, so it’s oppressively hot. She doesn’t speak to me once, and Casey hides in her room, only coming out to raid the fridge in sulky silence.

It’s a massive relief to leave the penthouse straight away. But that doesn’t last, because I know I’m about to meet Gemma for the final time.

I don’t do break-ups. One-night stands mean you never raise anyone’s hopes, or promise more than you can deliver. So you never hurt anyone.

Until Casey and Gemma walked into my life, I couldn’t see why I’d want to get in deeper, risk disappointing someone, or being disappointed myself. Now suddenly I have two people I want to commit to. But there’s only room for one, and my daughter needs me more.

The Clifton Observatory sits in the middle of the grass, out of place with its lighthouse tower and grey-stone walls and flat roof with cafe tables. I haven’t ever been inside, but I bet Gemma has. I can see her family doing Weekend Activities: zoos, play parks, stately homes. We only went to those if Dad thought there might be rich pickings.

I spot Gemma straight away, in a patterned green skirt with Woodstock vibes. I want to take a mental snapshot of her beauty now, before I tell her that this has to end.

She’s walking faster. Already in kissing distance.

I back away.

‘Oh,’ she says. ‘It’s like that, is it?’

I don’t know if I can do it.

‘You look amazing,’ I say. What the hell? ‘I mean, different?’

‘Do I?’

‘The way you were walking.’

‘It’s because I’m alone. I left Bear at home, so we wouldn’t be distracted. But walking without him makes me feel almost . . . naked.’

She blushes. Naked.

Fuck, I loathe Angelica so much right now for making me turn my back on this incredible woman. I must do this now before I change my mind.