Epilogue
ROSIE
“We finally got you out for a drink,” Tawny says as we clink our glasses in a circle.
“Tell me about it,” I giggle. The vodka hits quicker than I expected.
“I can’t believe we’re trusting Connor and Niki with Tabi,” Jacs adds. “Even Graham is more competent than those two when they’re together. I hope you’re okay with your girl finding out how far she can fly from a trampoline when they jump on it simultaneously.”
“That happened once. My mum grounded them as soon as I landed,” Senna says. “Not that she could ground Connor, as he wasn’t hers, but she did anyway.”
I choke on my drink as bubbles from the mixer fizz in my nose.
“For real?” Sasha asks, peeking warily at me as Senna nods.
“Niki’s always so good with Tabi. I’m sure it will be fine,” I say, although my voice wavers.
“But you have to worry when the two of them get together,” Jacs replies, tipping her head.
“Stop stressing her. They’ll be fine,” Tawny says.
Senna clears her throat. “I have news.”
Jacs raises her eyebrows and glances at Senna’s ring finger.
“Driving news,” she qualifies. “I’ll announce this to the team on Monday, with press releases going out next week. Connor’s leaving at the end of the season. In two months, he’ll drive his last race for Coulter.”
Tawny gasps, Jacs grunts, and I sit deathly still.
“That’s big, right?” Sasha asks.
I nod emphatically.
“But he loves the team. Is he joining the enemy?” Jacs says. I wish I knew why she hates Vessa so much.
“No, he’s retiring from Formula One. It’s not because he’s scared of racing like he was at the start of last year.
But his injury before the summer break showed him what life was without dieting, training all the hours of the day, and generally being obsessed with F1.
He’s wanted to move into the operations side for a while.
He’ll advise the team and help Niki and Rosie with the academy idea. ”
“Wow,” I whisper.
“I should apologise, Rosie, because now you’ll have to organise both of them, if you can fit it in around your master’s degree.
Soon you’ll be at an established academy, making a difference,” Senna says, smiling.
She knows I’ve loved studying for my master’s over the last month while working for Coulter and that I’m chomping at the bit to work at the academy.
“Good luck with managing those two. It will be like trying to organise a circus of monkeys,” Jacs says.
“It won’t be that bad. Rosie will be incredible at the academy. And Connor’s background will help the teenagers, too. He experienced life as the poor kid surrounded by arrogant rich kids,” Tawny says. “Kids like Billy.”
“Don’t be so hard on Billy. You love him, really,” Jacs replies, speaking what I’ve wondered for a while. It takes a lot to make Tawny glare, but the sour face she gives her sister would make lemons jealous.
“Who’ll replace Connor?” Sasha asks.
“Not Billy, please not Billy. I can’t take any more Coulter relationships and blossoming love,” Jacs says.
“I could go off you quickly,” Tawny replies. “Unless you mean because you’ll be dating him.”
“I will never date a driver. Over my dead body.”
“Or mechanics. You hate them more, understandably,” Tawny whispers, and we stare at Jacs.
“Moving on,” Jacs grumbles.
Sasha and I share a glance filled with multiple questions, the sort only best friends can do. I shrug. I want to know everything, but Jacs won’t reveal what even Senna doesn’t know.
“I’m considering employing a rookie driver. With Connor and Niki in advisor roles, we’d bring someone new to Formula One.”
I ease my drink down as my head swims a little. This affects all of Coulter. Niki still travels to most races. Tabi and I sometimes go with him. I’ve flown with him to Singapore, with my parents on babysitting duty. That involved a long memorable night in the private jet.
“I’m still trying to talk Connor’s sister, Layla, into joining the comms team. She’s got less than a year left of her degree. She seemed a little reluctant.” After meeting her, I suspect her passion doesn’t lie in social media.
“If you ever want to create a Coulter nursery, I’d love to join,” Sasha says, resting her head on my shoulder. She’s at her sweet stage of drinking.
Senna has the twinkly eyes her brother gets when he plans things.
Jacs sighs. “It might be the gin speaking, but I’m excited about next season. The cars are better than ever, and although I’m a grumpy cow sometimes—”
“Sometimes?” Tawny winks at her sister.
“Shut up,” Jacs says with a smile. “Although I’m a grumpy cow sometimes, I’m excited for what happens next. I’m Coulter through and through. Cut me, and I bleed turquoise. And thank god, because if I didn’t have Coulter, I’d have nothing except hookups and a cupboard full of Pot Noodles.”
Tawny giggles. “Here’s to the future of Coulter and, hopefully, Jacs finding something exciting next season.”
Jacs elbows her in the ribs as she thrusts her glass forward. “And here’s to us pissing off Vessa. Onwards and upwards. Coulter Team Racing!”
We’re still giggling as I slip my key into Niki’s front door. He keeps saying it’s our house, but I never expected to be a mansion girl, so it’s taking time to sink in.
We’re greeted by Graham, who has a tiara perched on his head.
“What’s happened here?” I whisper to him, scratching him behind the ear. “Where is everyone?”
He wiggles as Tawny, Senna, Sasha, and Jacs stroke him. He leads us to the lounge. We toddle behind him. I’m going to regret that last vodka in the morning.
Tabi sits on the sofa with Connor on one side, drool collecting in his lips as he snores, and Niki on the other, head dipped as he sleeps.
“Well, blow me,” Jacs says as the other three ladies giggle.
The sight of two elite drivers wearing princess gowns and tiaras as they sleep is a bit much for our drunk asses.
“Hey, Mummy, Auntie Senna, Auntie Sasha, Tawny, and Jacs,” Tabi says softly, beaming probably because she’s remembered everyone’s name. She puts her finger to her lips. “You’ve got to be quiet because they’re sleeping.”
“Hey, nugget,” the four of them whisper in turn, although it’s a drunk whisper, so they’re pretty loud.
I cock my finger and call her over. “What did you do to them?” I pull her into my arms.
She shrugs. “They’re Sleeping Beauty. Niki and Connor did the voices, but when they pretended to sleep, they fell asleep for real. Graham and me watched the movie.”
Connor and Niki shuffle as if they’re waking.
“Best nap ever,” Connor says, stretching his arms high.
Niki elbows him. “We’ve got company, mate.”
“Was Connor a good babysitter?” Senna asks, eyeballing him as he rubs his eyes.
“He talked about sliding down the bannister or getting on trays and flying down the stairs, but we couldn’t find any.”
I raise my eyebrows.
“And what was Niki doing while this was happening?” Sasha asks.
“Daddy was hiding all the trays from him.” She giggles, unaware everyone’s jaws have dropped to the floor.
“Say that again, nugget,” Niki says, jumping to his feet. He runs over, which should be hilarious because of his outfit and massive boots, but we’re all focused on the word Tabi used to describe him.
“I said,” she grumbles, drawing it out, “Daddy was hiding all the trays from him.”
He holds out his arms, and she jumps into them from mine. “You called me Daddy.”
Tabi shrugs. “Because you are. You’re my daddy, Niki.” She stills, realising the room is silent. She looks down, then at me. “Is that okay, Mummy?”
“Of course it is.” The three of us attempt a hug. “It’s perfect.”
Niki swipes tears from his eyes. Having this moment in front of our best friends is weirdly perfect.
Jacs’s weeping draws raised eyebrows from Tawny. “It’s the gin,” she replies, “and I’m tired. It’s home time.”
“Sure, of course that’s it.” Tawny fails to hide her chuckles.
“And this princess needs to get home before he turns into a frog,” Senna says, pulling Connor up, who kisses her.
“Love you,” he replies.
“I’ll take Tabi to bed and head off,” Sasha says. “Niki needs a moment to regroup.”
Within minutes, it’s just Niki and me in the room.
“Did Tabi really call me Daddy?” he whispers as he holds me close. “I didn’t dream it?”
“She did, Sleeping Beauty.”
“And today of all days,” he adds, dragging me onto the sofa with him.
I straddle his lap and cock my head.
“You’ve forgotten? How dare you forget the best night of my life?” he says, although his twinkling eyes suggest amusement rather than anguish. He grabs his phone to show me the date. “October 16th.”
“The night we met,” I say with a shy smile.
“The night my life changed for the better.” He reaches his hands behind my neck and unhooks my chain. “I wasn’t intending to do this tonight. I’d planned a massive event with dancers and fireworks, but actions and small gestures always mean more.”
I can’t keep up with him.
“A year ago today, my life restarted with the words, ‘Get your hands off my wife.’ It’s time to make it official.” He slides the ring off the chain and helps me stand. He kneels on the ground. His big blue eyes meet mine, and I sober up quickly. “Will you do the honour of becoming my wife?”
He holds out his ring. My hand shakes as I push it forward.
“Is that a yes?”
I nod as tears brim my eyes.
“Use your words, angel.”
“It’s a yes. I want to marry you and make our family bigger one day. I want to be Mrs. Coulter.”
“Your name was written on my heart the day you dared me to swim and face my fears. I can do anything with you by my side. I love you, Rosie.”
“I love you, too, Niki. And I always will.”
He slides the ring on my finger and jumps up, lifting me in the air.