I was aware of the silence on the deck and all eyes on our exchange. It wasn’t his fault, but it was hard to keep the frustration out of my voice. ‘And I’m assuming you need to cover for him?’

‘I’m afraid so.’

‘The garden’s looking stunning, Jules,’ Rachel said, making her way towards the steps. ‘How about giving us all a tour?’

‘Great idea, Mum,’ Karen said, following her.

When we were alone, I took a deep breath and tried not to sound petulant as I said, ‘You might as well leave for Sheffield now.’

Scott shook his head. ‘Adam said there’s no need. She’s okay at the moment.’

‘Yeah, but if she gets worse, Adam’s going to need to leave immediately. You’ll still have a ninety-minute drive from York. Wouldn’t it make sense for you to pre-empt it and drive there now?’

He took a step closer to me and gently cupped my face, making me look into his eyes. I didn’t want him to see the tears starting to pool in mine. I wanted to look supportive instead of upset. ‘It would make sense,’ he said, ‘but I don’t want to do that. I want to be with you. Assuming I’m still welcome, even if I have to abandon you mid-race.’

‘Of course you are.’

He ran his fingers lightly under my eyes, catching the tears that had annoyingly refused to stay put. ‘Please don’t cry. If there was anyone else who could do it instead of me, I’d let them, but it has to be me.’

‘I know. I understand.’ And I did. I knew how important his work was and how stretched the company was. All the long hours and nights apart would be worth it in the end. ‘But what about Adam and his wife? Put yourself in their shoes. I don’t want you to go, but I think you should. If it was me who was pregnant and ill, I’d want my husband with me.’

Scott drew me into his arms and kissed the top of my head. ‘That’s one of the many things I love about you. Always putting others first. How about I set off at the same time as the limo and I give Adam a call on the hands-free as I approach York? If everything’s still okay, I come to the races. If he needs me, I continue to Sheffield.’

It seemed like a reasonable compromise and I wasn’t going to debate it further. Much as I felt for Adam’s wife, I selfishly wanted my fiancé by my side.