Chapter 18
It was only three days before they would be back on a flight to the States. Ingrid insisted on unpacking the boxes because she knew where she wanted things to go.
“Rookie, if you do it, then we won’t be moved in until December!” Erik said.
“I don’t care, I know where I want things.”
“Ok, but don’t forget that I have that video interview with Swedish Sport tomorrow.”
“I haven’t forgotten,” Ingrid said, heading to the kitchen to put away the pots and pans. She finally had all her cookware, so she could cook as she usually did. “Why do you think I’m unpacking the kitchen? Getting the noisy stuff done first.”
“I could think of some other noisy stuff we could be doing…” Erik came to the kitchen and wrapped his arms around her
“Oh, really, with your Mamma arriving at any minute?”
“Thanks, you’ve just ruined the idea.”
Ingrid burst out laughing, then turned around and kissed him.
“Gullunge!” Freja’s voice rang out just then.
“See, I told you.” Ingrid patted him on the bottom. “We’re in the kitchen, Mamma.”
Since their engagement, and given how Freja had supported Ingrid through everything that had happened, Ingrid had started calling her ‘mamma’ too.
“Every time I walk in here, I just want to walk to the balcony. The sea view is beautiful and so calming.” She sighed.
It was actually a cold, rainy day in Monaco, but the view from their place was still breathtaking. Ingrid had seen this year how hard Erik had to work off the track to make this happen. Media, endorsements, team sponsorship events, it wasn’t just racing.
“I just wanted to come and see how you’re settling in?” Freja continued.
“We’re all good, Mamma. Thanks for the work you did.” Erik kissed her on the cheek.
“Oh, it wasn’t me. It was your Ingrid organising most of it,” she said. “I just watched over it.”
“Would you like to stay for dinner?” Ingrid asked, quickly changing the subject before Erik could say anything. “We’re just going to order in.”
“Thank you, but no. I’m going to leave you two in peace. You look exhausted, Ingrid, and should get some rest.”
“I keep telling her that!” Erik said.
Freja left them after a coffee and a catch-up about the past few races. Ingrid loved being part of another racing family that always discussed the races and paddock situations, such as Old Pierre’s retirement. Freja would be joining them for the triple-header that was coming their way.
“If you don’t mind, darling, I think I will have a little lie-down.”
“It’s ok. I should go to the gym anyway. I was light on training this morning.” He kissed her on the cheek, and Ingrid went off to their new bedroom. When she woke up, it was just after 7 pm, and she could hear Erik clattering around the kitchen.
“Don’t get excited and think I cooked. I ordered from that Italian place we like.” Erik wrapped his arms around her and kissed her head. “Feeling better?”
“I think I must be getting sick, or just tired from all these time zones and travelling.”
“I wish I could say you get used to it, Rookie, but your body doesn’t adjust.”
They ate dinner, then put on a film. Ingrid was asleep again within ten minutes. Erik carried her to bed and wondered whether she might be sick.
The next day, Johannes from Swedish Sport came over to their place for the interview.
Erik had developed a friendship with him over the years.
Ingrid had always noticed that Erik was more open and relaxed with him than with any other journalists.
It probably also helped that they spoke in Swedish together.
“Johannes, I don’t think you’ve officially met Ingrid,” Erik said in Swedish.
“No, it’s good to meet you finally,” he responded in English, shaking her hand.
“Oh, don’t worry, she speaks Norwegian so can understand.”
“Erik, don’t talk nonsense!” Ingrid said. “My Norwegian is rusty, and he insists on speaking to me in Swedish half the time because he thinks I understand.”
“She’s lying, she understands,” Erik said again in Swedish, and Ingrid playfully hit him. “You see?”
The two found a spot in the living room that wasn’t surrounded by boxes and set up.
They talked about the year so far and everything that had happened on and off track.
Erik spoke about how much he had grown, thanks to Ingrid.
He also spoke openly about Mark and how that had impacted him.
It was the most candid Ingrid had heard him talk to any journalist about the year's events.
It moved on to the championship battles, but Erik still told Johannes how he approached racing, as he had advised Antoine.
Johannes congratulated Erik on his engagement, and Erik called out to Ingrid.
“Have we set a date yet?”
“Nei.”
“I told you she understands everything we’re talking about.” He laughed. “I guess not. She’s more focused on winning championships than I am.” Laughing again.
They closed their interview with a good luck for the triple-header.
“I’d really love to do an interview or segment with the two of you after the season is done because you’re both working in F1. Would you be open to that?”
Erik looked at Ingrid. He knew she didn’t like any media spotlight, especially after the past few months.
“I don’t mind,” Ingrid answered. “Erik will have to get my Swedish up to scratch.”
They walked Johannes to the door, and Ingrid gave him Jean-Pierre's number.
“Speaking of Sweden-related stuff, don’t forget we still have to do that Tiger photoshoot,” Ingrid said.
“Already organised for this weekend.”
Ingrid groaned. This was now her life in the motorsport world, too.
???
When they arrived in New York, it was almost straight to the shoot.
They had been sent the brief on the flight.
Erik arrives in a sports car at the steps of the Museum of Modern Art.
Ingrid comes rushing down with the new Tiger laptop bag.
He steps out to help her into the car, and they go speeding off.
It was lame, and the focus was all on Ingrid.
“JP, can’t we mimic Gossip Girl and sit on the steps of MoMA instead?”
Ingrid was also feeling quite ill and exhausted. The last thing she wanted to do was run up and down the stairs of MoMA in heels. They wanted Erik in a sports car.
“Ok, how about we drive to the steps, walk up together, sit down, have a coffee and then the tagline could be classic, timeless or something like that?”
They agreed to that. Erik hated being forced to wear a suit.
“But darling, you do look handsome in one.” Ingrid kissed him.
“Are you sure you’re well enough for this?”
“Yes, why do you think I changed the ad? I wasn’t going to be running up and down steps all day!”
It took up the entire afternoon. What Tiger ended up using were shots of Ingrid fixing up Erik’s shirt and jacket. Their little pecks on the cheek or head. Just them being a couple in New York.
On the flight to Vegas, Ingrid got a message from Elizabeth. All it said was, ‘I got it!’. She called her immediately.
“This is amazing news. Are you in Vegas already?”
“Yes, I’m here with Jonny right now. He actually wants to speak to you when you get here.”
“Sure thing. Can I tell Erik? We’re on the flight there now.”
“Of course, the media statement will be going out in a few hours anyway.”
Ingrid told Erik.
“What?” He was in shock. Elizabeth had been working with Jonathan for almost as long as he’d been with the team. “Did you know about this?”
“Yes. Remember the day you found Lizzie and me in your room, chatting? It was about the possibility of becoming Dunham's TP. You know I had to keep the discussion confidential because of my job.”
“I guess so, but I just didn’t see this coming. She’s been with the team forever. Who’s going to replace her?”
“I suppose Jules is a possibility.”
“Or you…”
“No, that would never happen. I’m still a rookie. Jules has been there forever.”
Ingrid had never thought of this as a possibility. She was still an outsider, a rookie.
“If Jonny offers it, I think you should take it.” Erik settled back and pulled her into his chest. They slept the rest of the way to Vegas. When they touched down in Vegas, Ingrid had another message, this time from Claire.
“Oh, Claire is also coming to the race.”
“That relationship is still going?” Erik was surprised. Bartoli must be serious about this one, because he also never came to the Vegas race; he hated the show-business side of it all.
“I guess so,” Ingrid responded. “God, it’s freezing here!”
“I told you to bring warmer clothes!”
“Yes, but I have that special jacket arriving.” She grinned.
Ingrid had ordered a custom-made bomber jacket with some old and new Wentworth T-shirts, including Erik and Antoine’s car numbers.
“I hope it keeps you warm at midnight or whatever time we race here.”
They dropped their stuff off at the hotel and went straight to the team meeting about Elizabeth’s news. Everyone was obviously happy for her but sad to see her leave the team.
“Ingrid, Erik, can we chat for a moment before you go?” Jonathan asked.
They agreed and went to Jonathan’s office for the race weekend.
“I’ve asked you both because I know Ingrid won’t make a decision unless you’re ok with it.”
“A decision about what, Jonny?” Ingrid asked.
“With Lizzie leaving, I’m considering restructuring the team around me.
Lizzie was my Chief of Staff, for want of a better term.
She did some tasks that I thought were a bit below her station, considering she’s an engineer.
I already have an assistant, and we have an ops manager.
I’ve spoken to Jules about promoting her role to Director of Communications, which would take on a part of Lizzie’s role. ”
“This all sounds great, Jonny, but I don’t see where I fit in with all of this,” Ingrid said.
“You’ve become as impatient as your partner!”
Ingrid mumbled sorry.