‘Me, your dad, are you having a laugh or what?’

Dan didn’t flinch. ‘You remember my mum, Bethany, don’t you? At least I bloody well hope you do.’

Donny started to sweat. The kid did bear a resemblance to him, he supposed. But could this really be his son? His flesh and blood? He tried to keep his cool.

‘Yeah, that’s right. She told me all about you, how you just packed up and cleared off with your family and left her up the duff, on her own to deal with it all herself. Not a very good daddy, eh?’

Donny had no choice but to brazen it out. He knew from Dan’s age that the years matched up. But he didn’t know this kid’s birthday. Bethany could have got knocked up after he’d left for Manchester. And anyway, surely she’d have got in touch at the time. She must have just seen he was a headteacher and figured he had the spare cash to pay maintenance. He’d have to shut this nonsense down immediately.

‘Yes, thank you, Daniel. I did know your mother. But I didn’t know she’d had a child.’ He knew he should stay calm but he could feel panic getting the better of him. Before he knew it, more words spilled out. ‘And as I remember, mate, I wasn’t the only person hanging about with your mother at the time. There was a list as long as my arm, so how you can say I’m your dad is beyond me.’

Dan bolted from his seat and stormed over to where Donny was stood.

‘Listen, you prick. You know full well you’re my old man. Look at me, I’m your fucking double. So, don’t be a smart arse trying to deny it. We’ll do a test if you want. Don’t see the bloody point though. You knew from the first second you seen me that I was your son. I could see it in your face that you knew, but if you’re denying it then we’ll have to do this the hard way. I wonder if your missus knows anything about your secret past? I might have to book my mum an appointment at that glitzy little salon of hers…’

Donny wasn’t going to back down either, their faces were just inches apart. Normally he was the one to defuse a situation like this. But this was personal. And he knew his words about Bethany had added fuel to the fire.

‘What do you know about my wife? You leave her out of this, you little fucker. Whatever your mother has told you is a lie. I’m happily married and I don’t have any kids. She’s got it wrong.’