Drew squeezed me again. ‘I promise I’m not just saying it. I know we haven’t exactly been the best of friends but I might have misjudged him. I thought he seemed like the sort who’d shag and go, but he’s proved me wrong. He might be good enough for you, after all.’

Scott returned moments later and his expression said it all. ‘They’re taking Adam’s wife to hospital. They might need to induce the birth. I’m sorry. I have to go.’

I smiled brightly. I didn’t feel bright, but it wasn’t Scott’s fault. ‘Okay. Can I walk you to the exit?’

He nodded, said goodbye to the rest of the group, hugged my mum and thanked her for being a great host, then took my hand as we walked through the crowds.

Another race was about to start so the entrance/exit lobby was fairly quiet. Scott gently pulled me to the side and took both my hands in his. ‘If I could stay, I would.’

‘I know.’

‘This week’s going to be crazy and I’m working at the weekend, but I’ll be in London at the middle of the following week.’ I could hear the regret in his voice and see it in his eyes too. ‘We’ll go out together – just the two of us – and talk weddings.’

I squeezed his hands. ‘I’m not angry with you. I know this isn’t your fault. It’s just one of those things. But a night out alone would be amazing. We could go for a meal.’

‘How about the same restaurant we went to when we met? La Vecchia Scuola, was it?’

I smiled. ‘Well remembered. Sounds perfect. Like you.’

Scott bit his lip and lowered his eyes. ‘I’m far from perfect, Jemma.’

‘That’s true. You fart in your sleep and you love Marmite. What’s that all about?’

He looked up at me, a gentle smile on his lips. ‘And you like gravy on your chips and drink real ale. What’s that all about?’

Outside, the cheering of the crowd had built to a crescendo but, as Scott drew me into a passionate kiss, I could barely hear the noise. All I could focus on was this amazing man who loved me and wanted to marry me. I wanted to stay that way forever, locked in our own little world but it was only delaying the inevitable.

With great reluctance, I pulled away as the final cheer erupted and the winner was announced.

‘Just as well we didn’t bet on that one,’ Scott said. ‘We’d have lost.’

‘The racing gods were obviously smiling down on us today.’ I patted my handbag containing our winnings. ‘You’d better go. I know you won’t be able to phone me when you get there, but text if you can.’