Pregnant: Father Wanted. Claire Baxter

too long and I won’t let anything happen to you, Lyssa. I’m a good driver.’

      ‘I know.’ She groaned as the sports car rounded the tight bends smoothly, with no screeching tyres. ‘It’s not your driving; it’s the road.’

      He took one hand from the wheel and patted her hand where it was clutching the seat. ‘Don’t be scared. I’ll look after you.’

      Relieved to see his hand return to the wheel, she closed her eyes. The momentary contact had been comforting, but it couldn’t alter the fact that she felt nauseous.

      ‘It’s worse in peak season,’ he said, ‘when the road is full of foreign bus drivers.’

      A good reason to be glad she’d travelled early in May, Lyssa thought. After what seemed like hours, Ric turned off the road, drove through a terraced orchard and stopped in front of a low white building. Their hotel.

      ‘You look very pale,’ he said as she stepped out of the car.

      She felt the blood draining from her face even as he spoke. With one hand on her back and one under her elbow, he assisted her into the reception area and she was grateful for the support.

      She sat in a chair while Ric checked in, then he escorted her to her room.

      ‘You should probably lie down for a while,’ he said and she could see the genuine concern in his face.

      She wanted to thank him for his help but instead she nodded and went inside, too ill to speak. She’d never known nausea like this.

      Yes, the drive had been scary, but it was more than that. Maybe it was hormones. Maybe morning sickness had finally caught up with her, a bit late in the day. But what a time for it to happen.

      Shutting herself in the bathroom, she gave in to the inevitable and afterwards was glad to flop onto the bed and let sleep overwhelm her.

      Later, showered and changed and feeling one hundred per cent better, Lyssa found Ric sitting out on the large terrace, which he had all to himself. His worried expression as he stood and came towards her made her smile.