I take the stairs up to the hospital school two at a time. Gemma should be there already. I could suggest a coffee, and Casey will take Bear for a walk, and I might even sneak another brief, earth-shattering kiss . . .

The door to the school is closed, but I peep in through the glazed part, holding my breath. I see Casey immediately, though she doesn’t notice me. She’s reading, her head bent over a book, her body still. My girl. My amazing girl.

But there’s no Bear and no Gemma. The teacher, Jed, spots me and walks towards the door. ‘You’ve come for Casey? It’s still a bit early.’

She looks up and the smile on her face is so glorious it almost hurts.

‘Yes, sorry, I can wait.’

‘It’s fine, we’re nearly done anyway. We usually have an animal-therapy session today, but unfortunately the volunteer has had to call in sick, so you’re welcome to head off now.’

Sick?

As Casey packs up her bag, I replay yesterday. Gemma seemed fine then. What if she’s stayed away not because she’s ill, but because she knew I’d be here and wants to avoid me?

No. We have a connection. She deserves happiness. And, maybe, so do I.

Casey says goodbye to the teacher and the other kids and follows me into the corridor, towards the lift.

‘What’s the matter with Gemma?’ I ask, trying to sound as casual as possible.

Casey shrugs. ‘Not sure. I tried WhatsApping her and she’s seen the messages, but she hasn’t replied. You didn’t say anything to upset her last night, did you?’

I fake a laugh. ‘Er, no. I was my usual, very charming self.’

She pulls a face. ‘I hope she’s OK. Or what if it’s Bear?’

‘I’m sure everything’s fine.’

It has to be. As soon as Gemma’s better, I know she’ll be in touch, because she felt it too. Whatever the complications, we could have an extraordinary, ordinary future ahead of us, if we can both be brave.

Chapter 22: Gemma

I’m not ill. Unless this state of paralysing confusion counts as a mental-health crisis.

I half expected Jed to see through my lie when I phoned him to say I had a tummy bug. Instead he was hugely sympathetic, offering to drop in anything I needed on his way home from school. So now I can add a layer of guilt to the uncertainty that’s already weighing me down.

I came so close to doing the wrong thing last night. I wanted Dan more than I have ever wanted anyone before and—

Do not think about him. Not even his name.

After Bear and I got home, and the kiss-induced madness faded, I realized I couldn’t risk seeing him or Casey today. She’s messaged me a few times, but how am I meant to reply? Sorry, but I am discombobulated by kissing your father and have gone into hiding? Or: Tomorrow I’m hoping to persuade an embryo to implant in my body, and I’m worried that lust for your dad might be counter-productive.