Chapter 30 – David #2
Two hours later, I’m sitting at the front of a huge conference room, and it’s full.
All the chairs have been taken, resulting in some of the reporters standing at the back of the room.
Of course, the whole team is there in support, too.
Even if they know what’s coming. It’s a united front.
Richard and Vincent are standing to the side of me, and I must admit that I’m glad that they’re not at the back of the room. Having Rich close feels comforting.
Of course I’m not at the front on my own.
Charmaine is next to me, and she’s going to help field all the questions.
She’s also aware that I’m going to bring Richard up on the stage.
She even apologised and said that she never would have suggested it if she realised the reaction she was going to get.
“You ready?” Charmaine whispers.
“Yep, let’s get this over with.”
Charmaine taps the microphone in front of her to get everyone’s attention. A second ago the room had been buzzing with noise, and now, there was silence, and everyone was looking at me.
“It will be one question at a time. We’re going to start with David’s career.” Both Charmaine and I know that the main reason everyone is there is the picture. “First question, please?”
“How are you feeling?” A journalist from the front asks.
“Thank you for starting with an easy one,” I reply, which causes a ripple of laughter around the room.
“I’m good. I’m sure you all saw the interview with Nicky.
” And there is a sea of nodding heads. “Well, since then, I have had confirmation that my hands are going to be completely healed soon, I just need to be careful in the sun. Which, considering I live in the UK, isn’t going to be a problem. ”
At this response, a few of the journalists shoot a hand into the air, and Charmaine points to one who asks.
“Sorry David, but I thought that you lived in Monaco.”
Journalists might be a pain in the arse, but they’re quick. It took a handful of them to pick up on where I was living, and I couldn’t help but be impressed.
“I did, but I will be, or should I say, I have moved back to the UK on a permanent basis. Which will be explained later.”
I thought another question would be asked, but none were coming, so I sit back down, and I wonder if Charmaine said anything before the conference started.
“David, does this mean you will be racing next season?” a voice shouts. “We were told that Otis would be permanently taking your seat?”
“If we can please keep this to one question at a time, and no shouting out,” Charmaine says.
“It’s okay,” I say, looking over to her before looking out over the crowd.
“No, I won’t be driving next year, and I can confirm that Otis will be taking my seat,” there is an audible gasp from everyone in the room at this piece of information, but I ignore it, and keep talking, “and I couldn’t be handing over the reins to a more deserving driver.
He’s going to be one to watch. I think he’s going to give Lars a run for his money.
I’m predicting another rookie world champion. ”
“Thanks for the confidence, but you’re a hard act to follow,” Otis shouts from the sidelines, which causes another ripple of laughter, before more arms raise into the air.
“I’m sure you’re wondering what has caused this decision, well, it wasn’t only my hands that got injured in the crash, I damaged my knee as well, and it looks like that’s going to take longer to heal.
Anywhere from six to twelve months. Vincent, being the wonderful man he is, offered to keep my seat open, but I’ve been suffering with shin splints for the last part of the season, and I’m not getting any younger.
So, I made the difficult decision to quit racing. ”
The second the last word is out of my mouth the whole room erupts. Journalists shouting, some waving their arms to get attention. They all want to know what I’m planning to do next.
“Can everyone please sit back down,” Charmaine says into her microphone, “or I will call an end to this conference.” All the journalists quiet down and retake their seats. “Thank you.” And she points to someone further back in the room.
“Do your future plans have anything to do with the man you were recently pictured with? Or your relationship with Jasper Knight?”
“As I have already said, one question at a time please, and the photo will be discussed at the end of the session,” Charmaine says.
“I’ve already made a statement about that, I confirm, again, that I dated Jasper a very long time ago.
We were young, and life took us in different directions.
I had no idea that he was joining the team this year.
But we rekindled a friendship. Nothing more.
So, I would request that you kindly leave him alone. ”
“And the man in the photo?” the journalist presses.
“Well,” I start, looking over to Charmaine, and giving her a wink.
“He’s important to my future plans.” And I pause before I say, “the man in question is my husband.” I’m not sure what I was expecting, but for a moment there is silence before hands are shooting into the air and questions being shouted out.
“How long have you been married?”
“Did he influence your decision to stop driving?”
“What does Vincent think?”
“Ladies and gentlemen. Please. David will explain everything. If you can just retake your seats,” Charmaine shouts, trying to quiet the room.
“First of all, I would like to say that the photo was taken without my permission when I came back from Qatar, after my crash. I know there have been rumours about who he is, but I was just not mentally able to cope. My priority was to heal, not give you guys details of my private life.”
Looking over to the side line, I catch a small smile from Vincent. We both know what is coming. Richard’s trying his best not to show what he’s feeling, but I can see it in his eyes. He’s proud of me. Proud that I’m finally able to tell my truth my way.
“I got married in secret after I won the world championship. Vincent only found out after my crash in Qatar. It came as a shock to him, I think he was actually speechless, I should’ve recorded it.”
“David,” Vincent shouts from the sidelines. “You’re not funny.” Which causes more laughter.
“But, in regards to my future plans, Vincent has offered me a position at Montague Racing, which I have accepted. I will be joining the design team and working closely with the drivers. Vincent has also offered me the third seat. Giving me the chance to drive if anything was to happen with Lars or Otis. I’m excited for the future, and the challenges ahead. ”
“David, are you going to tell us who your husband is?” a voice shouts.
“At this time, it has been decided, for his own privacy, that we’re not going to reveal his identity.” I tell them.
“Actually,” Vincent announces, “there has been a development there.” And I see the smile on his face as he looks over to Richard. God I hope this helps repair their friendship.
The whole room turns in Vincent’s direction, and Richard is looking from me to Vincent, and back to me, and I can’t help but smile.
Oh, this is going to be good. Vincent leans over and whispers something in Richard’s ear, and a huge smile spreads across his face, which I take as a good sign, as Vincent pushes him forward, and he walks over, and joins me on stage. Pulling me into a hug.
“What did you do?” he whispers into my ear.
“What I should have done from the start,” I whisper back, before we break apart, and turn back to face the crowd. Richard takes hold of my hand, and we sit back down at the table, a chair having magically appeared for Richard.
“Ladies and Gentlemen,” I shout. “I would like to introduce you to my husband, Mr Richard Moore.”
“What?” is the word that spreads across the crowd at my announcement.
“I know that this is going to be a surprise for most of you. But I think you can understand why Vincent was so shocked when he found out I was married. Richard and I have been together for a while, and just like Vincent and Lars, we decided to keep our relationship a secret. This was a decision I made, as I wanted to concentrate on my driving. The plan was to come out at the end of the season. Like we are today, on our terms.”
“Is Richard the reason you’re going to be settling in the UK?” a journalist asks.
“Well, it would be logical to live in the same house, in the same country as my husband,” I answer. “Plus, with my new position at Montague Racing, it will be easier to be closer to HQ.”
“Richard,” a journalist shouts. “You have been seen with quite a few ladies over the years. How is your relationship with David different?”
“Maybe you shouldn’t believe everything you read in the papers,” Richard starts, giving a smile, “and my relationship with David is different, quite simply, because I love him, more than anything in the world. His love changed me in ways I never thought possible, and when you find love like that, you never let it go.”
Richard leans over to me and pulls me into a kiss, and just like that, in front of the press, in front of the whole world, we told them who we were, and I never felt so proud.