‘Morning, Daddy dearest,’ Dan chuckled. The kid was as full of himself as ever and he knew how to press all the buttons.

Donny looked at him. ‘I am not your father, so the sooner your mother gets the DNA test done we can put this to bed.’

‘Nah, you’re my old man alright – and soon everyone will know it.’

Donny inhaled deeply; this was getting out of hand. ‘Listen, you cocky prick. I’ve told your mam to get a test as soon as. Back in the day she was anybody’s, so stands to reason that anyone could be your dad.’

Dan froze. ‘Don’t you ever disrespect my mam. She’s looked after me for years without a penny from you, so keep it shut, you daft prick.’

Donny was well aware that he needed to get away from the situation; his temper was boiling and he was ready to punch this kid’s lights out. But his job was at stake. His livelihood. He walked away before he did something he’d regret. This had to be sorted out. He’d always thought of himself as a lucky guy. But everyone’s luck ran out in the end.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Donny sat staring into space. The DNA test results were back; today was D-day. Two weeks without his wife in his bed by his side had felt like a lifetime.

Susan had agreed to meet him, though she’d made it clear that if the test proved he was Dan’s father then their marriage was well and truly over. He could get to fuck, she’d said. There was no way she was playing mummy to his bastard child.

Donny had chewed his nails to the quick, the skin around them red and sore. The sooner this mess was over, the better. He wanted his life back, his wife back where she belonged. He’d barely seen her since this all started – she’d made sure to work early and late shifts at the salon, staying out for dinner with the girls so she wouldn’t have to spend an evening at home with him. She stayed at Sadie’s, or he’d kipped on the sofa. And when they did cross paths, there were rules; no touching, no kissing, no nothing. He missed the closeness they’d had. Susan was a tough cookie when she wanted to be. She was distant now, frosty and suspicious at all times. But then even before this she’d been acting strange, he reminded himself. He shook his head. Maybe it had been broken long before all this. Like a plate with a crack running all the way through it – just waiting for the moment that would finally break it beyond repair.