‘And Gemma, obviously. I like them.’

‘They might have other plans,’ I say. Please don’t let them have other plans.

Casey gives me a long stare, more adult than child-like. ‘Oh, I bet they can make time to see us.’

Has she guessed I went on a date with Gemma? Seen the spark between us?

‘I’ll message her now,’ Casey says and starts tapping on her phone before I have the chance to say no. Not that I want to.

It’s been taken out of my hands.

Chapter 20: Gemma

Sunday 15 July

Was it boredom that made me say yes?

Right now, as Bear and I stand on the crowded Harbourside, this is like putting my hand into the fire, even though I know it’ll burn me. Or even because I know it’ll burn, and I want to feel something real.

I should turn back now, before I do something I regret.

‘Gemma!’

Too late. I spin round to see Casey zigzagging through clumps of tourists queuing for the SS Great Britain. But it’s Dan’s presence that makes heat pump around my body faster than Brunel’s steam engines. I’m remembering Leigh Woods and the almost-kiss that made me forget everything but the present.

Could an actual-kiss happen this time?

No. There are a hundred reasons why it’s a bad idea, and the biggest is what I’m doing in less than forty-eight hours. I’ve got to stay focused.

‘Hey, you two.’ I wave, without daring to look properly into Dan’s face.

He mumbles a half-hearted greeting. Shit. He doesn’t want to be here. He’s only agreed to it for his daughter’s sake. But it’s fine. Better that way. I smile at Casey, who is adorable in a floaty pink dress with a ditsy rose pattern.

‘I love your dress. Is it new?’

‘No, I brought it back from home.’

Studying her more closely, it isn’t the dress that lights her up from inside. When Dan catches her up, he puts his hand in hers and the ease of it shows how close they’re getting. It makes me melt, but there’s a sadness too because . . .

Stop.

‘When did you get back?’

‘Last night,’ Dan says, and I’ve missed that rich voice. ‘Casey’s mum was—’

‘She was tired,’ Casey says firmly. ‘And had things to sort out, so we left her there. It was no big deal for me to be here on my own with DL for a week.’

Dan smiles – oh, that smile – and I see it is a huge deal, for both of them. What a difference a fortnight can make.

Bear starts pulling towards more life, more people.

‘He’s keen,’ Dan says.

‘He’s a born extrovert.’

As he pulls us through the throngs of people – there’s a maritime festival making the harbour even busier than usual – Casey asks if she can take Bear’s lead. ‘Be careful by the water,’ I say, and she gives me this look that says, I’m twelve, not stupid.