TWENTY-SIX #2
‘I think that’s everything,’ I say, checking my phone one last time.
Race reports are sent, press releases are written, social media is all up to date – for half an hour or so anyway – and I’ve spoken with Charlotte, updating her on all the drama.
I’ve also got about a hundred messages from Vienna, Yuto and Emika telling me to come and join the celebrations in the garage and I’ve finally responded to say I’m on my way.
‘I guess.’ Robbo heaves himself out of his chair. Weirdly, despite our P1 and P3 result, his expression is as brooding now as it was before the race.
‘Come on.’ I smile encouragingly. ‘There has to be some champagne left.’
‘You go.’ He slings a bag over his shoulder and heads for the door. ‘I’m going to bed.’
‘Are you kidding?’ I blink at him. ‘This was a great day for us. Rask’s very first win!’
‘I know.’ He stops in the doorway. ‘I just wish it was the other way round, you know. Quinn instead of Leif in first place.’
‘That’s a bit harsh.’ I frown. ‘I mean, obviously it’s great to finally have a female driver, but –’
‘It’s not that.’ He interrupts me. ‘I’m pissed off that in a week’s time nobody’s going to be talking about us winning a race any more. It’s all going to be about Leif going to Fraser. We’ll be old news.’
‘What?’ I feel like he just threw a bucket of icy water into my face. ‘Who says that Leif is going to Fraser?’
‘Apparently he had dinner with Giovanni Bauer and Mark Haddon last night.’
I stiffen because that does seem a little odd.
Why would Leif be dining with the Fraser team principal instead of Bastian the night before a Grand Prix?
There has to be a reason. If Leif wasn’t prepared to move to Quezada, then why would he go to Fraser instead?
Especially after he gave Bastian his word.
‘I’m sure there’s an explanation,’ I say. ‘Leif is totally committed to Rask.’
‘Then why hasn’t he signed the contract yet?’ Robbo sounds like he’s enjoying his own conspiracy theory. ‘It’s October. This should have been dealt with months ago. Why are things still up in the air?’
‘Because his agent is probably stalling, trying to get more money,’ I say, remembering what Leif told me. Although it’s certainly unusual to leave things this late in the season …
‘ Or he wants us to think his agent is stalling and he’s just been waiting for Fraser to make a decision about Hayden Quaid.’
I feel a prickle of discomfort. ‘Have they?’
‘Yep. They’re not renewing his contract. It’s going to be announced on Monday.’
‘Shit.’ I sit down again. ‘Are you certain?’
‘A friend who works in their engineering department told me. It’s a shame.
He seems like a nice guy.’ Robbo shrugs.
‘The whole thing leaves a bad taste in the mouth, you know. People were finally starting to take us seriously again and now Corey’s broken his leg and our best driver is leaving.
So I’m not in the mood for celebrating.’
‘But none of this is confirmed …’
‘It will be. Trust me. By the end of next week, we’ll be looking for another driver. And hey, I’m not blaming Leif. Fraser are a great team. It just sucks for us.’
‘Right.’ I stare down at the floor, my shoulders slumping like a new weight has settled across them. It seems too ironic to be true, that I find out Leif is leaving Rask at the same time I decide to stay.
‘Sorry.’ Robbo’s expression turns contrite. ‘I didn’t mean to bring you down. And maybe things will work out, you know. If Corey’s back next year, he and Quinn might make a good pairing.’
‘Uh-huh …’ I’m barely registering his words now. ‘Maybe.’
‘Anyway, I’m heading back to the hotel. The airport bus isn’t until 6 a.m. so we can still get a few hours’ sleep.’
‘Yeah … See you.’
I sit completely still for a few seconds, waiting until his footsteps have receded before reaching for my phone. There’s only one person I can trust right now to tell me the truth.
‘Congratulations!’ Maisie answers on the second ring. ‘Wait – why are you calling me and not celebrating?’
‘First, because I need to make sure you’re OK after what happened to Gio in the crash. Second, because I have a question and I need you to be completely honest with me.’
‘That’s so sweet of you.’ I can hear the smile in her voice. ‘I was a bit shaken at first, but he called me and we’re both fine. And I promise to be honest.’
‘Thank you.’ I take a deep breath. ‘Is Leif going to Fraser?’
There’s a long, telling moment of silence.
‘Maisie?’ My limbs feel heavy all of a sudden. ‘Are you still there?’
‘I’m here.’
‘Is it true?’
‘Honestly … I’m not sure. All I know is that Hayden Quaid’s contract isn’t being renewed and Gio’s been pushing for Leif. They’ve had a few meetings.’
‘When?’
‘Over the last month. Gio said he and Leif had a long talk about it in Austin.’
‘That was two weeks ago! Why didn’t you tell me?’
‘I couldn’t! It was all confidential. Plus, I figured it was up to Leif to tell you himself.’
‘He told me he was staying at Rask,’ I say bitterly.
She pauses. ‘Well, look, as far as I know, nothing’s definite yet. Maybe he really is staying.’
‘Is it true he had dinner with Gio and Mark Haddon last night?’
‘Ava …’
‘Did he?’
She sighs. ‘I think so, yes.’
‘Right.’ I swallow heavily, feeling numb all over. ‘I have to go.’
‘Are you OK?’
‘I will be. I just need to get out of here.’
‘Text me. As soon as you get home. I’ll come round with anything you need. Ice cream, chicken-noodle soup, gin, whatever. I’ll bring it.’
‘Thanks.’ I end the call, grab my bag and hurry out of the motorhome into the night air. I can’t believe it. Leif said he was staying at Rask. He was so definite. How could he have changed his mind and not told me?
Because you haven’t been answering his calls , my brain taunts me. Or his messages … Maybe you’re the reason he’s leaving.
‘Ava?’ A man’s voice makes me jump.
‘Yes?’ I whip my head round and gasp. I hadn’t even noticed I was passing the Quezada motorhome, but there’s a man sitting outside. ‘Jasper!’ I drag my scattered thoughts back together. ‘I mean, Mr Ramirez. How nice to see you.’
‘Jasper is fine. And it’s good to see you too. Congratulations on today.’
‘Thanks. I’m so sorry about what happened to your cars.’
‘Me too, but that’s the way it goes sometimes.’ He smiles. ‘You must be on your way to celebrate, so I won’t hold you up. I just wanted to tell you to keep an eye on your inbox.’
‘My inbox?’
‘For your contract. You already aced the interview, remember?’
‘Oh … that’s … I mean …’ I stutter incoherently because I can’t deal with this right now. My mind is too full of Leif and Rask. ‘Sorry, I’m just so tired. It’s been a rough week.’
‘I get it. The situation with Corey. Poor guy.’ Jasper shakes his head. ‘If you see him, give him my best, and I’ll see you soon, OK?’
‘Yes. Great.’ I nod emphatically. ‘Thank you.’
My phone buzzes again as I walk away. It’s another message from Emika telling me to hurry up, but I definitely can’t celebrate now. If I see Leif, I won’t be able to stop myself from confronting him and I don’t want to spoil the party for everyone else.
Instead I text to say I’m too tired, then turn my phone off and head back to the hotel.
The paddock is still bustling with people, but I keep my head down, weaving my way determinedly through the crowd.
Now the first shock has passed, I’m left with anger.
I thought Leif was devoted to us – to Rask, I mean.
After everything he’s said about Bastian giving him a chance in Formula 1, about loyalty and family, how can he just walk away?
Maybe my behaviour hasn’t been the best either, but I thought he was the kind of guy who could be trusted.
Now, it turns out I didn’t know him at all.