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“We’re going to date secretly at first,” I continue. “Just to see where it goes.”

Caleb nods. “It’s hard, but I highly recommend it. Even more so in this case because of the past.”

“Speaking of that, Mum is coming in this weekend. Not with Dad. But don’t say anything in front of her because she is the last person I want to know right now.”

“I thought she was going to Baku,” Caleb says, his brow creased.

“Well, she changed her mind. We’re getting her both weekends.”

“You’re going to need Isla and me to run interference for you,” he says thoughtfully. “Oh, is it okay that I tell Isla?”

“You are such a muppet. Of course you can tell Isla!”

“Maybe I shouldn’t. She’s going to have a big ‘I told you so!’ moment over this.”

“Mason is telling Luke Larson. That’s all the people we’re telling.”

“I’d trust Luke. I like him a lot.”

“See, this is what I hate,” I say. “You like Luke. You’d love Mason if he were racing for any other team on the grid.”

“Probably. I respect him, Catherine. That’s all either of us can do. And we’d be shitty drivers if we did anything else.”

“I understand.” Sadness fills me. This is the way it’s going to have to be. But I’m grateful they are both such solid men that they can manage their feelings, respect each other, and put the team above everything else.

“Also, I do not need to hear the details of whatever you do with him,” Caleb says, wrinkling his face in disgust.

“Like I would tell you that!”

He adjusts his baseball cap. “Good. And if he breaks your heart, I will punch his face in.”

“Caleb!”

“All right. I’ll just fantasise about it.”

I frown. I don’t like that answer much better.

“I’m joking!” he insists.

I stand up. “I’ll let you go. You have things to do.”

Caleb moves towards me and opens up his arms. “Come here.”

He gives me a big hug, and love and relief sweep through me in equal force. “I’m so lucky to have you as my brother,” I say, my voice wobbling.

“I know, right?” he teases.

I step back and see his eyes dancing at me. “You’re impossible.”

“I know. It’s my job, though, as your big brother.”

“Okay, we must talk business now. Remember, after your technical debrief, you have a meet-and-greet with sponsors upstairs at lunch. I will come get you for it.”

He sighs heavily. “Right.”

“Ooh, try to muster up that same energy when you walk into the room! The sponsors will just feed off that,” I say sarcastically. Then I brighten. “But don’t worry, Mason has good energy and can make up for your lack of enthusiasm.”

Now he really scowls, and I laugh as I approach the door. Then I pause and look back at him. “I do love you, Caleb.”