‘You’re so together,’ I say, amazed by him. It’s so strange being around a man with grown-up emotions and pragmatic approaches to big problems. There is no blaming, no name-calling, no bullying. It makes me realise what a mess Michael really is.

‘I’ve learned the hard way. And have had a lot of therapy. Anyway, Lauren is OK. Or at least she will be. She’s here with me and I’ll get her through it. Thank you for caring.’

‘Is there anything I can do?’ I ask. He shakes his head. Then I realise that Lauren is standing at the door of the living room. She looks thin and tired. She has a pink velvet tracksuit on, and no make-up.

‘Hi Beth,’ she says.

‘Hi Lauren. I just wanted to check in on you, Risky and I have been worried and wondered if there was anything we could do.’ She walks into the room and sits down on the sofa, right on top of my breast milk.

‘You must think I’m so stupid, all that planning for nothing,’ she says, sweetly. Her dad puts his arm around her, and for the first time I realise she is just someone’s little girl. A million miles from the major celebrity who the world is talking about.

‘Actually, no I don’t. I think you believed in someone and they let you down. I’m glad you two have each other.’

‘Me too,’ Lauren says, as Ross holds her tighter.

‘We might be a mess, but we’re our mess. Right Lolly?’

Lauren pats his hand and smiles.

‘OK, well I better go,’ I say. ‘Tommy will wake up soon and he’ll want feeding.’

‘Can I get you a car?’ he asks, as he did last time I was leaving his house. I say yes this time. And while we wait the three minutes for my Uber to arrive we say our goodbyes.

‘Will you be OK?’ he asks me, Lauren out of earshot, unaware of my random and rampant shag with her father.

‘Yes, I don’t live far.’

‘No, I mean with your marriage. Will you be alright?’ he asks, kindly.

‘Oh, that. You know what, I don’t know what will happen with my husband. But whichever way it goes, I have this guy. So I’ll be alright, yes.’

‘He’s very cute.’

‘I’m so sorry for what happened to you and your family,’ I say. ‘I don’t know you very well, but you seem so kind and it must feel very unfair. You make me want to deal with my problems better.’

‘Well, what I’ve learned is that saying the words that feel impossible to say is the best way to get through anything.’

‘It’s that simple, huh?’

‘Yup, that simple.’

‘Bye Ross,’ I say, proud to know his name.