‘It happens, Rosie. I’m really, really sorry it happened to your mum, but some people are shits.’

‘He’s made a fool out of her.’

‘It was her choice, Rosie. And she tried to do her best for you, didn’t she?’ I nod, ignoring the lump in my throat. Noah leans in. ‘This is why you had a go at me, isn’t it? The player? You think I’m like your dad.’

‘I didn’t say that.’

‘You didn’t have to. You think I’m like him, you think Gav is like him.’

I make a harrumph sound.

‘Okay, okay, maybe you’re right, about Gav not me.’ He gives me a warning look and waves a finger. ‘But it could just be a one off.’

I raise my eyebrows. ‘You believe that?’

‘Maybe not. But he didn’t actually turn up for your date.’

‘Don’t give him excuses, Noah.’

‘I’m not, honestly.’ He puts his warm hand over mine. ‘He’s a shit whether or not you were the only person he talked to.’

‘I gave my dad excuses. He must be the only bloody musician working a regular 24 hours a day, haha.’

‘He was never there?’

‘Not often. He’d come back now and then, but it didn’t always tie in with when we needed him. It was just,’ I try to keep the heavy sigh inside, ‘when it suited him.’ I nod to myself. ‘Because he had nothing better to do, nobody more exciting to be with.’ I half smile. ‘For a rest.’

‘Oh Rosie.’

‘Or when somebody had shown an interest in Mum.’ Some of the memories come back. ‘She’d say on the phone that some old friend from school or college had popped in, some old boyfriend had been in touch, and he’d be there the next day. He hated her getting attention.’

‘Not the best dad in the world.’

‘Nope.’ But worse than I’d remembered. I’d given him the benefit of the doubt. Like you do, when it’s your dad.

Noah squeezes my hand. ‘We’re not all like him, you know.’

I nod. ‘I know. Robbie wasn’t.’

‘Is that why you were with him for so long?’

‘Maybe. I did love him though.’ Just not fancy the pants off him, I could have added. ‘I can’t let Gavin just do what he likes.’

Noah kisses my cheek. ‘You can’t, and nor can I. Right then, if you’re sure you’re okay?’ I nod. ‘Have you still got his profile on your phone?’

I nod again. ‘I don’t care about me, it’s not about me. I don’t care he stood me up.’ It’s true I realise. It was a shock seeing him in the flesh, an even bigger shock seeing him with a pram, but now the shock has blown over I know I’m not bothered. That date with him seems like it was years ago, a different life. I’d been far too busy with Noah to even think about being stood up. It had been like it never happened.

Until now.

‘I need to show Gemma, my sister. See what she says. I mean his wife has just had a baby, she’ll be emotional enough, won’t she?’