TEN #2
‘In that case, I’ll get to her in a minute. First I want to speak to the woman who persuaded him to join Instagram.’ He gives me an appraising look. ‘I’ve been trying to get him online for years. So how did you manage it? Bribery or blackmail?’
‘Maybe a tiny bit of bribery,’ I concede. ‘But really I just explained how useful it could be and we came to a compromise.’
‘Hey, Nathan.’ Leif drops back to join us. ‘What are the two of you talking about?’
‘Your recent decision to join the rest of us in the twenty-first century,’ Nathan answers pointedly. ‘So I hear Emika’s your minder today?’
‘Yes.’
‘Then I’d better go and chat to her as well.’ He shakes my hand again. ‘It was nice chatting with you, Ava. I owe you a drink.’
‘All good?’ Leif falls into step beside me as Nathan heads away.
‘Fine.’ I lift an eyebrow. ‘Why wouldn’t it be?’
‘Nathan can be a little blunt.’ He wipes a hand across his brow and his sleeve falls back to reveal a distractingly bulging bicep. ‘I’m not sure this walk was a good idea in the heat.’
I seize the excuse to look up at the sky. He has a point. There isn’t a cloud in sight, only bright, unrelenting sunshine. Great for a beach holiday, not so much for a GP. ‘Do you think it’s going to stay this hot all week?’
‘Unless there’s a storm, which isn’t in the forecast.’ He grimaces. ‘So, probably yes.’
‘Ouch.’ Just the thought of it makes me sweat even more.
Between the engine and power unit, F1 cockpits are hot enough without the weather outside adding to the pressure.
Drivers’ temperatures can be pushed up to forty degrees, increasing their heart rates and causing impaired judgement, even loss of consciousness.
And it’s not like they can simply take a layer off to cool down.
Everything they wear is essential for safety, which means all they have to combat dehydration is a small drinks pouch. Honestly, it’s kind of frightening.
‘Time to meet the press.’ Corey comes striding over as we arrive back at the paddock, sunshine glinting off his aviators. If he’s worried by the heat, he’s not showing it. ‘You ready, Ava? I feel in a chatty mood.’
‘I’m all set.’ I get my phone out and then turn back to Leif. ‘I’ve been meaning to say, your interviews ever since Spain have been really good, so thank you and –’ I spread my arms out, feeling awkward suddenly – ‘you know, just keep doing what you’re doing.’
‘Full sentences and a smile?’ He gives me a long look and then flexes his neck from side to side, though not before I catch a surprising twinkle in his eye. ‘OK. Let’s get it over with.’
THE PRESS PEN IS packed. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many journalists in one place.
There are cameras and microphones everywhere, though fortunately there’s also a barrier so we don’t get mobbed.
A few other drivers are here already. I can see Zaragoza and Erikkson, the Gold Dart teammates, a few metres away, as well as Gio and Quaid just beyond them.
As I look, Gio turns, catches my eye and waves, though I can’t help thinking his expression is strained.
He looks tired and stressed, like something’s weighing on his mind.
‘Here we go,’ Corey murmurs in my ear as we approach the first camera and I lift my phone to start recording. ‘This would make a good drinking game for after the race. How about we down a shot every time someone uses the word “upgrade”?’
Ten minutes later, I’m relieved I didn’t get a chance to answer before Corey got into his first interview.
The word ‘upgrade’ has been used twenty-two times, since everyone seems to be asking variations on the same question.
What do you think of the new upgrades? How confident are you in the new upgrades?
How do you rate your chances of success this weekend with the new upgrades?
After a while, I notice that Corey’s using the word back at them too, so often that I have to keep my gaze on the ground to stop myself from laughing.
Despite that, he still manages to be brilliant, deflecting criticisms, talking up the team and playing down any mention of their former owner, Philip Sawyer.
I’m only half listening, however, because my attention is distracted by Leif. Even though it’s not my job to mind him today, I still find myself straining to hear his answers. He’s pretty good, though, calm and thoughtful, like he’s making a real effort.
‘AND brEATHE.’ COREY GRINS when we finally reach the end of the line. ‘How’s your wrist?’
‘I think it’s about to fall off.’ I tuck my phone back into my pocket and rub my arm. It’s stiff after being held in one position for so long. ‘I can’t believe you were trying to make me laugh.’
‘I’ve no idea what you’re talking about.’ He chuckles. ‘Come on, it’s time for lunch.’
‘You know, you were really great back there,’ I say as we climb the steps into the team motorhome.
‘Don’t sound so surprised.’
‘It’s not that. I just haven’t seen that side of you before.’
‘Yeah well, I can be serious sometimes. Right now, for example, I’m serious about getting some sushi.’
‘Hey.’ Emika pushes Leif down into a chair when they join us five minutes later. ‘Look after him while I get us some salads, will you? He’s talked more in the last hour than he has in the past year.’
‘Good job, man.’ Corey high-fives him across the table.
‘When can we drive?’ Leif rests his head in his hands.
‘Not long now.’ Corey pops a California roll into his mouth. ‘Only the press conference and Fan Zone to go.’
‘Actually …’ I put my chopsticks down and look between them apologetically. ‘Vienna also needs you to make an appearance in the hospitality centre this evening.’
‘What the fuck?’ Corey looks accusingly at Emika as she comes back with two plates of chicken salad.
‘I told them about the extra event this evening,’ I explain.
‘Oh.’ She slides a plate in front of Leif. ‘Yeah, I was going to break the bad news after lunch. I know, it sucks.’
‘I’m supposed to be meeting someone tonight.’ Corey sounds aggrieved.
‘Don’t tell me, another friend?’
‘Possibly.’
‘Where do you get the energy?’ Emika waves her fork in the air. ‘Look, hopefully it won’t take long.’
‘It’s also a really good sign,’ I argue. ‘It shows that people want to support Rask. The time to worry is when nobody wants to see you.’
‘Ava’s right,’ Leif interjects. ‘One more event isn’t so bad.’
Corey turns to him incredulously. ‘Who are you, and what have you done with my teammate?’
‘I’m making an effort.’ Leif glances over his plate at me. ‘It’s all good for Rask, right?’
FIVE HOURS LATER, EMIKA ushers Leif and Corey into one of the air-conditioned driver lounges at the back of the motorhome and then plants herself in the doorway, hands fixed on either side of the doorframe.
‘OK, you two. I’m going to see Vienna while Ava stands here and barricades the door.
You’re not allowed out of this room, understand? ’
‘Fine, but tell Vienna no more last-minute events.’ Corey throws himself down on to the sofa with a groan. ‘I need a shower.’
‘You’ll be finished after this, I promise.’
‘I mean it. I don’t care who the sponsor is – nothing else, or I’m refusing to drive this weekend.’
‘Yeah, yeah …’ She gestures for me to follow her. ‘You got this?’
‘Don’t worry.’ I raise my voice as we head back out to the corridor. ‘I’ll sit on them, if necessary.’
‘I think Corey might enjoy that a little too much.’ She shuts the door as he gives a thumbs-up from his recumbent position. ‘I don’t blame them for being grumpy, though. This temperature makes everything so tiring. I’m practically asleep on my feet.’
I pluck my shirt away from my skin and stifle a yawn in response.
As much as I love Formula 1, she’s right; this afternoon has felt like an eternity.
I’m exhausted. Maybe it’s time I started endurance training with Maisie because I don’t know how the drivers manage this, sometimes three long weekends in a row.
The press conference wasn’t so bad since I got a seat, but the Fan Zone was even busier than the press arena, filled to capacity with hordes of excited supporters.
I have a headache from all the noise and heat and all I’ve done is stand behind a table while Leif and Corey signed hats and pictures and posed for selfies.
They were both incredible. Corey was in his element, but Leif seemed to be enjoying himself too, chatting and smiling and going out of his way to make everyone feel special.
He didn’t frown once. Obviously he prefers fans to press.
I actually got the feeling he would have kept going all night, until they’d seen everyone, but the relentless schedule made that impossible.
‘That’s Vienna.’ Emika glances at her phone as it vibrates in her hand. ‘Apparently they’ve moved the event up. She wants Corey first so I’ll take him over now, if you can wait here with Leif?’ She opens the door again before I can answer. ‘Corey? You’re up.’
‘Are you kidding? We just started a strike!’ Corey is still on the sofa, though now he’s sitting upright beside Leif, staring at a screen on the wall, both of them holding PlayStation controllers.
‘Complain to Vienna.’
‘Like he’d dare,’ Leif mutters, swaying sideways as his character on the screen jumps.
‘ Destiny? ’ I ask, stepping into the room.
‘Yes. How do you know that?’ Corey sounds surprised.
‘Because I play. Here –’ I hold my hand out – ‘I’ll take over. By the look of it, you need some help anyway. Now, hurry up before Vienna comes to fetch you herself.’
‘You don’t have to play if you don’t want to.’ Leif shoots me a quick sidelong glance as I slip into Corey’s empty space on the sofa.
‘I do want to. It’ll keep me awake,’ I say, taking a moment to get my bearings. According to the top of the screen, we’re on Nessus, battling the Vex. Fortunately, I don’t need a map or schedule for this.
‘So I guess it’s you and me tomorrow?’ Leif says, as his guardian comes to run alongside mine. ‘With you as my minder, I mean.’
‘I guess so,’ I agree, collecting an orb as I dart ahead of him.
‘Fridays are better. Less talking, more driving.’
We don’t talk for a while either because we’re both too preoccupied, caught up in the adrenaline of the game, twisting and bouncing on the sofa as we fight our way to the end of the strike. He’s pretty good, but I’m better. I don’t even break a sweat.
‘Ha!’ I throw the controller down triumphantly.
‘That was impressive.’ Leif is staring, open-mouthed, at the screen.
‘I know.’ I can’t help sounding smug. ‘I used to play a lot with my brother. Plus, I interned at a gaming developer last year.’
‘Well, you’re way better than Corey.’ He turns to look at me. ‘We should play again sometime.’
‘Maybe.’ I twist my face away because I’m suddenly very aware of how close we’re sitting.
I’m pretty sure that when we started there was a good foot of air between us.
Now there are only a few centimetres. I’m close enough to feel the heat from his body.
It’s a good thing my feelings are so firmly under control or I might think that my pulse is thumping for some reason other than self-consciousness.
I can’t move away without making it too obvious either.
I slide my tongue over my lips as I try to think of some non-awkward reason to get up, like maybe I need to stretch? Or get a drink? There’s a fridge in the corner. I could get myself another bottle of water.
‘Ava …?’ Leif speaks just as I start to move.
‘Ye-es.’ I stop halfway out of my seat.
‘About my attitude when we met … and afterwards. I … I’m sorry. It wasn’t intentional.’
I drop down again, staring at him in silence for a few moments.
It’s the first time he’s acknowledged any kind of issue between us.
A warning voice in my head tells me not to make a big thing of it, that I should just accept his apology and move on, but I’m still buzzing from the game and now that he’s brought it up, I don’t want to let him off the hook so easily.
Intentional or not, his behaviour towards me still hurt.
I think I deserve some kind of explanation.
‘You know, I was so excited about meeting you in Monaco,’ I say finally, aware of my foot tapping. ‘You were one of my favourite drivers and you wouldn’t even talk to me. You made me feel pretty crappy.’
‘ Dritt .’ Ironically, he looks even more horrified now than he did the first time we met. ‘Ava, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize.’
‘Even when I started at Rask, it felt like all you ever did was scowl at me.’
He hangs his head. ‘The thing is … meeting you was a shock. You reminded me of somebody from my past and … it threw me. Then all the social media stuff.’ A muscle flexes in his jaw. ‘I just don’t like talking about myself.’
I bite my lip as I process the words. I was expecting some kind of lame ‘I was having a bad day’ type of excuse – nothing like that . He sounds so sincere I can’t help but believe him. ‘So you’re over it now?’
‘Yes. And I’m sorry for how I behaved. Truly.’
‘Then, I guess, apology accepted.’ I cough because my lungs feel constricted, like there isn’t enough air in the room. There’s a warm, thrumming sensation in my chest too, one that was supposed to be under control. ‘So does this mean we’re … friends?’
I blink as something flares in his eyes, a flash of emotion, before he opens his mouth and –
‘All done!’ Corey bursts through the door abruptly. ‘How’s it going?’ He looks at the screen. ‘No way! You’ve finished the strike already?’
‘Yes!’ I’ve just leapt so far across the sofa I’m practically perched on the edge. ‘But we can do another quick one, if you like?’
‘Awesome.’ Corey slaps Leif on the shoulder. ‘Your turn to perform. Emika’s just grabbing a snack from catering.’
‘Right. I’ll go find her.’ Leif hesitates, like there’s something else he wants to say to me, before he gets up and heads for the door. ‘See you two tomorrow.’
‘Bye.’ I watch him go as Corey settles down on the sofa beside me. He sits almost as close as Leif just did, only this time I don’t feel anything at all.