We were only betting small amounts – and collectively losing more than winning – but it was fun. The tension that built into a cheering frenzy during each race was exciting although I could imagine it would feel exhilarating when winning big. I was far too cautious to splash the cash – a trait I hadn’t realised I’d inherited from Dad.

I was more interested in soaking up the atmosphere and spending time with my loved ones than the races. I loved checking out the outfits and the hats in particular had me captivated. As did my fiancé.

‘I love it that you can’t take your eyes off him,’ whispered Karen in my ear as I watched Scott waiting in the betting queue on the level below us. Adam had apparently insisted that he didn’t need to leave, but asked Scott to check in with him every hour, just in case.

I turned to Karen and smiled. ‘Sorry. I can’t help it. Sometimes I can’t believe my luck that he picked me.’

‘Why shouldn’t he? You’re gorgeous and you’re a lovely person. Strange obsession with teddy bears, perhaps, but I blame your mum for that.’

Scott must have been aware that I was watching him because he looked round, smiled and blew me a kiss. My stomach fizzed and so did other parts of me. I couldn’t help it. I loved him so much and so did my body!

I’d had a few boyfriends before Scott but none of them had been serious or long-term. Most couldn’t get their head around my passion for teddy bears. Paul had constantly taken the mickey out of me, calling me a child, so I childishly dumped him on Facebook. Andy said he was creeped out by their eyes watching him when we were in my bedroom and said it was the bears or him. No brainer. Nate took me for Sunday Lunch at his parents’ house. Midway through our starter, his dad asked what I did for a living. Nate laughed and said, ‘She plays with bears and dolls all day, but I’m sure she’ll get a proper job soon.’ Wow! He sounded exactly like my dad. How I resisted pouring my soup over his head, I’ll never know. When he dropped me off at home later, I said, ‘Seeing as I’m so busy playing with bears and dolls all day, I’m not going to be able to play with you anymore. Goodbye.’ It had taken me the whole of the hour-long journey home to come up with that line but it felt so good delivering it!