As the thought of tonight's racing event flitted through her mind, accompanied by the thrilling prospect of seeing the effortlessly cool Penny once more, Amelia's spirits soared, her earlier gloom evaporating like morning mist.

Dressing swiftly, she grabbed her phone and cast a quick glance at the screen.

A second later, her delicate brows knitted together in a frown.

Usually, Penny would reply to her messages almost ...