Chapter 15 #2
Erik won, but Antoine fell out of the podium positions. Nico’s teammate, Callipel, had managed to overtake him in the final laps. Ingrid and Claire attended the podium celebrations, but she felt bad about not seeing Antoine up there.
Jonathan approached her in the hospitality suite after he finished his media tour.
“Ingrid, could I have a word with you when you have a moment?”
She looked at Claire, who said she was going to meet someone now anyway, with a sparkle in her eyes. Ingrid knew what that meant.
“Sure, what’s up, Jonny?”
“I’m going to make this quick. We’re pleased with Antoine’s performance. I know today was just a slip-up. I have a feeling you’re going to be at most of the race weekends, anyway, so would you like to come work for us?”
“In what capacity?”
“I don’t really know. Doing whatever you do. Talking to the team. You’re already doing it, and I think you should get paid for it. We also have young drivers coming through, female drivers, who could do with the support.”
“I’m definitely not saying no, Jonny, but can I think about how it would work?”
“Are you talking about Erik?”
“Yes and no. I also have other clients that I can’t leave in the lurch.”
“I’ve already discussed it with Erik and Antoine; they both want you. I understand that you would want to consider it in the context of your other work. It could be in an advisory or consultancy capacity. Just think about it.”
She thanked him, and Erik came to find her.
“Where’s Claire?”
“You won’t believe it, but I told her she might meet someone for herself on the grid, and she went and hooked Bartoli!”
“This is why I call you V?lva!” He kissed her. “Is she still joining us for dinner?”
“I don’t think so!” Ingrid said, laughing.
They all ended up at the same restaurant anyway, so Claire’s date was interrupted by the F1 group.
Erik and Antoine being seen with Bartoli set tongues wagging in the paddock, and they had a good laugh at it.
It was time to return to Monaco for a few days, and both Erik and Ingrid were feeling uneasy about it.
Still no sign of Mark, and home wasn’t feeling like home anymore.
???
Even though Erik and Ingrid had spent a few days in Monaco before leaving for Monza, it hadn’t sunk in yet that their building and front door were a crime scene.
Entering their place made Ingrid uncomfortable, and she instinctively grabbed on to Erik.
Freja came over to make dinner for them that evening.
Ever since the attack, she had adopted Ingrid as another daughter.
“Darling, I don’t think we can live here anymore,” she said at the dinner table.
“Yes, Erik, I think it was stupid to bring her back here,” Freja added.
“Where else were we supposed to go?” He lifted his hands questioningly. It hadn’t occurred to him how difficult it would be to be back there.
“You could have come to stay with me!”
“No, we couldn’t impose like that,” Ingrid said. “I also didn’t realise it would be difficult to come back here.”
“I’ll call my assistant in the morning and ask him to send us some options for new places. You did say you wanted a place that was ours, so maybe this works out for the best.” He then added, “When I’m away again, you’ll stay with Mamma.”
Ingrid didn’t argue with this because she actually did feel unsafe with Mark still lurking around.
Later that evening, when they were having a glass of wine and a cigarette on the balcony, Erik brought up the offer from Jonathan.
“Are you considering it?”
“Of course I am!” She reached out and took his hand. “I just have to work out in what capacity. I’m so addicted to the F1 life now that it’s hard to leave it.”
“What about Team Consultant?”
“I could go with that because it covers everything and anything. Team Performance Consultant? Team Performance Advisor?”
“I like both as long as you’re happy.” He put his wine glass down and put his hand on her cheek to kiss her.
“We’d be an official team.” She smiled.
Erik was thinking of another way he wanted to make them an official team, but he would wait. It wasn’t the right time.
“I’ve always thought we make great teammates,” he said, stroking her arm. “Come, let’s go inside. We still have nosy neighbours out here, and I want to be with my teammate.”
By midday, Erik’s assistant, Peter, had found them a couple of places available for purchase. Ingrid had just finished her conversation with Jonathan when Erik got the email.
“Erik, the salary is ridiculous,” she said, in her usual calm tone.
“Jonny not offering you enough?”
“No, it is close to what I make with all my current clients combined!”
Ingrid got up and started pacing to think about all she had been offered.
“Welcome to F1, Rookie.” He smiled as he watched her moving around the living room. “It’s what you’re worth, though. You just never realised it. Take it you’ve said yes?”
“Of course! Plus, because of the new rules, I work with the sister team too, so Dunham benefits. Old Pierre will be happy.” She chuckled.
“Good, well, that makes presenting new places easier on me because I know you would give me shit about the cost.”
Peter had done a good job. Ingrid suspected that Erik had sent specifications of her tastes and requirements, too. They managed to narrow it down to three places that they both liked and could afford.
“Should we set up viewings for tomorrow before I leave?”
“Before we both leave.” She beamed. “I’m going with you to go over my contract.”
Erik could see how happy this was making her. The attack, Mark, all of it was briefly forgotten.
“But we’ll have to organise the viewings around my clients. I’m back to work tomorrow. They’re going to get such a fright seeing me like this.”
“It doesn’t look as bad as it did.” He kissed her head where the stitches had just come out. Ingrid’s bruised eye was looking better, and her arm no longer needed the sling. “Do you need to talk to someone about it?”
“No, I need them to catch fucking Mark.”
Ingrid had been talking to Freja almost every other day, going over the event.
She knew it was probably a burden on her, but Freja accepted it willingly.
Oliver would just cry, and she only wanted to tell Erik that one time.
Erik had eventually watched the CCTV footage, so he knew exactly what had happened to Ingrid.
He hoped she would eventually talk to him.
In between clients, they went to view places.
Erik and Ingrid looked at each other as they walked around the second place and knew it was the one.
It had hardwood floors, a built-in bookcase, an open-plan kitchen, and enough bedrooms for family and friends to stay.
What really sold them was the balcony with a full sea view.
As they were standing on the balcony, Erik wrapped his arms around her and whispered in her ear, “Now will you sell that London flat of yours?”
She turned her head and said, “How did you know?”
“Because I know you,” he said, kissing the back of her head.
“Will put it on the market when we get home.”
“I think we are home.” He kissed her.
???
The next morning, they flew to London together and went straight to Grove. Erik loved the fact that his partner would be part of the team. Ingrid was starting to feel nervous about it.
“What do I do?” She asked him.
“I guess you’ll do the same thing you’ve been doing so far, but now you’ll be paid for it.”
“What if I screw up?”
“Rookie, you know what you’re doing. Where is this coming from?”
“I don’t know. I guess I’ve just always worked for myself since I started working.”
“You’re still technically doing that. You just observe and help when you need to, in Wentworth colours.” He looked at her briefly and smiled.
They arrived at Grove, and Erik greeted everyone as usual. He introduced Ingrid on their way up to Jonathan’s office.
“My favourite couple!” Jonathan smiled.
“You’re only saying that because I’ve brought you a big fish, Jonny,” Erik said.
“You have. Do you know how many teams have wanted Ingrid? Carlos was close to using that friend of yours to get you to join Cuadra!”
“Really?” Ingrid had been aware that there was some interest, but thought it wasn’t a big deal.
“Yes, so you’re lucky she’s my partner and one of Antoine’s best friends. Where is he, by the way?”
“He’s already at work on the sim. Felt bad after Madrid, poor kid.”
“Ok, I’ll go join him and leave you two to talk business.”
Erik found Antoine fully focused on their next track – Azerbaijan.
“Hello, mate!”
“Mon pote!” He said. “Shh, I’ve almost got a handle on this corner.”
Erik advised him on what he would do there, and Antoine started improving.
“Merci! Is Ingrid here?”
“Yes, talking with Jonny now.”
“I’m so glad she’s joining us. I’ve missed being able to talk to her before races.”
“Did she really help you that much?”
“Yes! Don’t you ever get advice from her before races?”
“No.” Erik tried to think of any time they had spoken before a race, but could only recall the qualifying session in Australia when she had asked him to show he cared.
“I guess she just does it telepathically.” Antoine laughed. “Come, should we go do our social media content for the week?”
“Oh, yes please, let’s get that out of the way!”
The teammates went off to film some content. Ingrid came downstairs with Jonathan as they were filming one of their videos, and Elizabeth followed. Jonathan waited until the video was done. Then he asked Elizabeth to call everyone together.