Race night was as good as ever and when Ali arrived back at the house with Leon the party was in full swing. The house was packed with people, some who she was know beginning to know and some faces she'd never seen. She had figured by now that that was just the way things were.

"You want a drink?"

"Yeh thanks Leon."

"Just a beer?"

"I don't think that would be a good idea."

"Oh yeh sorry totally forgot."

"It's ok" she said laughing, "A sprite will do please."

He walked off in the direction of the kitchen and Ali went to find somewhere to sit down. She sat in the living room beside Jesse, who was talking to some blonde racer chaser.

"Hey Jesse."

"Hey girl. This is . . . . . . . Jasmin."

"Hi"

Ali looked at the girl who looked no older than 17.

Leon came back with her drink and sat down beside her.

"So what'd you think about tonight? You still enjoying it?"

"Of course. There's just something about racing and the whole atmosphere. I don't know what it is."

"Just kind of fits into place I suppose."

"Yeh it does." They sat in silence for a bit.

"What are you thinking about?"

Leon had caught her off guard. She was thinking about back home.

"I don't know. Just things."

"You want to go somewhere quieter? We can talk."

"No your ok. Just enjoy your night I'm just going to get some air." She smiled at him and got off the seat and headed out the back.

She sat on the steps thinking.

Was she really right to come away the way she did? After talking to Jason on the phone she was starting to feel guilty, especially with him being so nice about it. If he had of being angry and annoyed at her it would have made it so much easier. She was just feeling really confused. What did she actually feel for Leon? did she really like it or was it just a plea for attention and he just happened to be there? But he had been there for her, even if it had only been for a short time. But what was she going to do about it? In 8 months she was going to have a baby to look after. Maybe thinking about just her was too selfish now. Would there be in point in getting involved with someone if she knew it would probably only be short term. Lai knew the type of guys that racers were. There is no way she could see someone like that passing off going out racing to sit home with a girl and someone's else's child. Was it even fair of her to start anything with Leon? He was bound to get hurt sooner or later!

She was pulled out her thought by the back door opening. She looked around to see who it was. Brian was standing above her on the steps.

"Can I sit?"

"Yeh if you want."

"So how are you? Everything ok?"

"Yeh I was just thinking. I was talking to Jason earlier"

"Oh really? What was he saying? Everyone ok?"

"yeh everyone's fine. He said that he didn't even know that I'd rang before because Kelly didn't say anything to anyone. He wasn't annoyed with me. Said he rang my mum to see were I was but she wouldn't tell him just said that I was ok."

"See they do care Ali. I knew that last time you rang you were just annoyed about her."

"I know. I knew they cared anyway I was just hurt. He said they all went to the reading of the will just after I left."

"And?"

"Taylor left everyone money in his will. I got £200000. He says all I have to do is set up a bank account here and the lawyer will transfer the money over."

"My God that's good. I would say that would come in handy in about 8 months."

"Yeh I know. He also left his half of the garage to me so I'm sole owner now. The guys have been keeping it running and Jason said they are quite happy to keep doing that so I suppose I don't really need to do anything about it. I suppose I could just think of it as an investment."

"Do you want to go back? We would understand if you did?"

"No I don't I'm happy here. I don't know what's wrong."

"Is there nothing else you want to talk about? What about you and Leon?"

"I don't know. I don't really see anything happening there."

"Why. It's obvious the two of you really like each other."

"O I do like him, don't get me wrong. I just don't think it would be fair on him. He's is just going to end up getting hurt."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because I know how hard it is to give up something you love. There's no way that he would give up going to races and the whole life to stay at home with a girl and someone else's child. It would just be too hard."

"Give him some credit Ali. He's probably more resilient than you think. What happened to your positive outlook on life. Giving it a try won't harm anyone. If he says he'll stick by you then he will. He's a good guy. And give yourself more credit too Ali. Not everything in your life will go wrong like you think it will. You are an amazing woman you deserve to be happy."

He leant over and hugged her.

"Thanks Brian."

"No problem girl. You coming inside?"

"Yeh I'll be in in a minute."

"Ok" he got up and walked into the house.

She sat outside for a couple of minutes then headed inside to look for Leon.

She found him in the living room talking to Dom. She walked over to them.

"You alraight girl?" Dom put his arm around her shoulder. She could tell he had been drinking and just laughed a bit.

"Yeh I'm fine. Do you mind if I steal Leon for a minute?"

"No be my guest." He said winking at Leon as he walked away behind Ali.

They stopped at the entrance to the kitchen.

"Leon can I talk to you for a minute?"

"Sure? Is everything ok? Are you ok?"

"Yes I'm fine stop worrying. You want to go outside?"

"OK."

He followed her out the back and they both sat down on the steps.

"Now Leon before I say anything I just want you to know that I don't want you to feel sorry for me and do anything you don't actually want to do.

"OK." He said suspiciously.

"Leon I think it's pretty obvious that we both like each other right?"

"Right."

"And I want you to know that I really do like you Leon, but I don't think it would be fair on you to have to deal with everything I'm going to go through in the next year or so."

"Ali you're pregnant. It doesn't make you a completely different person. I like you."

"Yes but it's not going to be easy Leon. How are you going to feel when I have the baby? Your always going to have the feeling that it's someone else's child and I think that will be really hard. I just don't want you getting hurt."

"Ali when are relationships ever easy. We can just take it slowly and see how it works out. But I'm telling you now that I am a man of my word. If I make a commitment to you then I'm going to keep it."

"Yes but that's what I'm trying to say. If it gets too hard I don't want you feeling like you have to stay with me just because you said so. Do you know what I mean?"

"Don't worry Ali. You look too far into the future. Just live for today."

She sat for a minute thinking.

"OK."

"Ok what? You want to give it a go?"

"Yeh lets give it a go."

"Seriously?"

"Yes" she said laughing at the expression on his face.

He leant over and kissed her. She kissed him back.

"Let's keep this too ourselves for a bit. Just until we know for sure yeh?

"Yeh no problem. Whatever you want." They started kissing again.