His eyes held mine for a moment before he glanced away uneasily. ‘There’s an opening coming up at work; it would be a big step up for me and if I get it, I’ll be travelling more, a lot more, so I need to know you’re safe. Both of you.’

‘Is that why you’re going to Cape Town?’

He nodded. ‘We’re finalizing the costings for a global project. If I impress the directors, there could be another promotion in it for me.’

‘Of course you’ll impress them.’ I nudged him playfully, even though the thought of seeing him even less than I did now was frankly depressing. ‘And I’ll be here, acting sensibly for as long as Betsy will have me. What’s the second reason?’

He glanced at me briefly then rubbed a hand through his hair.

‘Look, from what you’ve said, you had a great childhood, stable and loving, two parents who doted on you. I had love but no stability and I believe every child deserves both. I guess—’ He faltered, as if struggling to find the right words, and gulped at his water.

My heart sank; so that was the end of that. It was obvious he didn’t want things to go any further between us. He’d seen the baby as a real tangible being on the screen today and it must have made him realize just what he’d be getting himself into.

‘It’s okay,’ I said, plastering on a smile. ‘I understand. Let’s say no more about it. Perhaps you should be going.’

He spluttered on his water. ‘No, no, that’s not what I mean!’

I frowned. ‘Then I’m confused.’

‘Sorry,’ he smiled contritely. ‘Told you I was rubbish at this sort of thing. What I mean is that I feel like I should step back and put my own feelings to one side, give you time to patch things up with your ex. Because if there was any chance you could work things out with him and be parents together, a family, I don’t want to get in the way of that.’

‘Are you sure you’re not stepping back because I’m carrying another man’s baby?’ I asked quietly. ‘Because no one would blame you if you were; it’s a big ask. Think of all the comments we’d get in public when I get bigger; people will assume it’s yours.’

‘Only people who don’t know us, and who cares what they think?’ His gaze softened and the look in his eyes melted my heart. ‘None of that bothers me at all.’

‘You are kind, Mr Butterworth.’ I leaned my head against his shoulder. ‘In a perfect world, I’d like to be doing this with the baby’s father. But it’s not going to happen.’