I’m mid-mouthful, so I make an mmm, it’s nothing noise.

‘She volunteers because her husband died,’ Casey says.

‘Ah,’ Dan says, and it’s such a deep, sympathetic sound that everything goes swimmy. I’m in a far worse state than I was when we met before. ‘I mean, you told me you’d supported somebody having treatment, but I am sorry it didn’t save him.’

My throat closes up for a second and it’s hard to swallow the last piece. ‘Thank you. Volunteering makes a positive out of something sad. And it’s lovely to see how Bear helps kids like Casey settle in.’

He nods. ‘She is amazing. So smart and brave.’

Casey rolls her eyes and stands up. ‘Spare me the brave tumour-kid stuff, OK? I’m like this because I don’t have a choice. Gemma, can I take Bear for a walk?’

The idea of anyone else looking after him makes me nervous, but she was careful with him in the hospital. ‘If you promise not to let him off the lead,’ I say.

‘And stay on this part of the Downs, where I can see you,’ Dan adds.

Casey rolls her eyes again, but grabs the lead and sets off, Bear delighted to trot alongside her.

‘I keep second-guessing what her mother would let her do, which is tricky.’

If you’d been there while she was growing up, it would be way easier.

‘I met her mum when I went into the hospital on Monday. She was quite, um, forthright with me, and with Bear.’

‘Not everyone likes dogs, even ones as cute as Bear. My father was always very jittery around them. Said they could see right into your soul.’

‘Is that a bad thing?’

‘My dad definitely thought so!’ He laughs before I can ask more. ‘I’m just saying that perhaps Angelica – that’s Casey’s mum – was on edge when she saw Bear.’

I grimace. ‘It was a bit more dramatic than that.’

Dan frowns. ‘Shit. Did she go off on one about germs? I had this sense that there’d been a problem when they got back from treatment, but Casey’s too loyal to say anything bad about her mum. They’ve both been under so much pressure.’

‘I guess it’s difficult being a single parent at the best of times, never mind when your child is sick.’

‘I haven’t been much help.’

‘Why haven’t you?’ I notice how he flinches and I add, ‘Sorry, I didn’t mean to say that out loud. None of my business.’

‘Don’t apologize. It’s a fair question. Me and Angelica were never together together. We met at a festival and we hooked up for a couple of nights, that’s all. We were kids ourselves.’

That fits with how young Casey’s mum looked. ‘And she got pregnant?’

Dan nods. ‘I haven’t been in the picture until now.’

This much I knew from what Jed told me. I dare to meet Dan’s eyes again. They seem full of sincerity and kindness, but how does that square with him choosing not to be in his kid’s life?