Chapter 10 #4
“I don’t know. I’ve always loved having a variety of clients.
Getting to work with you on that second novel was an incredible journey.
I also have a politician in the Assemblée, two startup CEOs, and, obviously, Jessie still works with me every now and then.
It’s things like that I would miss out on.
I would have to think about it if an offer ever came up.
Plus, you know how much I love my independence.
How is the third novel going, by the way? ”
“Oh, it’s going swimmingly! I think the work we did together stuck in my head, and so it’s helped things go smoother this time.”
Claire gave her an outline of what she was working on. It sounded like it was going to be another bestseller.
“Ok, so I have to ask you about Erik Svensson.” She took a sip of her wine. “You didn’t think you would get away with dinner without telling me about what was going on there.”
Ingrid told her how it started, the consideration of moving in, the fight, and where they stood now.
“Personally, I don’t know him. I know Mark, who is always hanging around us, but I know a model Erik dated. She used to talk a lot about him, and in too much detail for my taste, but nothing like this. It sounds like he’s more serious about you, if that helps?”
“It does, thank you. He just wants to move so fast. Do you think it’s an age thing? Or his personality?”
“Darling, I think you’ll have to figure that one out yourself. You read people well. So read him. I think the physical side has clouded your view a bit, so you haven’t been doing that.”
Ingrid left dinner feeling like she had a plan.
It was time to put her skills to use on her boyfriend.
He had messaged while she was at dinner, and she called him when she got home.
Erik had taken her comment about communication literally.
Calls and messages all weekend. She didn’t know how he was fitting this in with all his work.
???
There was no plan for Ingrid to go to the Austrian GP either.
She had developed a routine with Antoine for race weekends, and judging by the results, it was working out.
It also helped that Erik’s new teammate was utterly useless, and so there was more of a chance for Antoine to fight forward.
His driving was improving, and he really deserved to be in a faster car like a Wentworth or a Cavallo.
The Dunham was turning out to be a decent car this year, but Antoine was the one making it a podium contender.
Just before leaving for Austria, Antoine called her outside of their scheduled time.
“Ingie, can you chat?”
“Of course!”
“Are you alone?”
Oliver was there for a glass of wine, so she stepped out onto the balcony and lit a cigarette. “I am now. What’s going on?”
“Wentworth has approached Mike.”
“I knew this would happen! Didn’t I tell you to stay out of Mark’s mess, and you would have his seat by the summer break? I mean, I didn’t want it to be under these circumstances, but still…”
“You did say that; it’s why I’m calling you. How do you know these things?”
“I just look at possibilities and scenarios, I suppose. Always have. What can I help you with?”
“Do you think I should do it?”
“I can’t answer that for you; only you can. What do you want?”
“I want to be driving a better car.”
“Ok. Anything else?”
“I want an opportunity at a championship.”
“That’s better.”
“What about Erik?” He sounded hesitant.
“What about him?”
“He’s my best friend.”
“So what? I don’t see how that impacts anything. When you go out on track, you’re no longer best friends but competitors, whichever car you drive. Have you mentioned this to him?”
“No, Jonny wants to keep it ‘hush-hush’, as he said.”
She lit another cigarette and started pacing. This would be a problem for her, too. She had just started communicating with Erik.
“Is the deal good?”
“Yes, more than good. They would buy me out of the rest of my contract from summer onwards, and I would get a decent increase. There’s an agreement between the two teams in place anyway to allow for a driver swap.”
Ingrid knew that F1 had introduced an official ‘Silly Season’ driver swap between sister teams from this year, but she wasn’t aware how it would all work out. In her mind, it was just another gimmick for the sport. Now, it was proving useful for her client.
“Ok, so what more do you need from me?”
“I think help in making the decision.”
“Write down a list of the pros and cons. Speak with Mike about it. If you two need to hop on a call with me to discuss it, then I’m here.”
“Ingrid, what would you do?”
“I’m biased because I’ve always been a Wentworth girl, but I would take the seat if the offer were right.”
Ingrid had known this was coming. Not as soon as now, but eventually. She went back inside.
“You’re smiling. Was that Erik?”
“No, but something close to being better.”
“I can’t imagine what’s close to being better than that man!”
“I might be able to tell you in a few weeks.” She grinned again.
Now the challenge would be to keep this from Erik. He would be here straight after Austria. A whole month since they had last touched each other.