Chapter 6
Ingrid went to the kitchen and boiled the kettle.
What am I going to say to Erik? They had an agreement.
It could still be that way. Last night was a slip-up.
For both of them, it was an astonishing slip-up.
One that would be hard to hide from anyone.
You don’t get that close to someone and then pretend nothing happened.
She made her tea, then went outside for a smoke.
It was chillier today, and it looked like drizzle was on the way.
At least she would be online, talking to clients. What would Erik be doing?
Erik made an appearance at that point and wrapped his arms around her, kissing her on the back of the head.
“Morning, V?lva.”
“Morning.” She turned around and kissed him. “Tea or coffee?”
“Coffee, if you have, please?”
“I have Nespresso?”
“Ja, tack.”
“So, I’m going to learn Swedish now?”
“Don’t see why not? You seem to pick up languages easily. Antoine mentioned you can speak Arabic?”
“And a bit of Farsi. Very different languages, it turns out. Just a hobby of mine.”
“You’re an interesting woman…” He came over and kissed her. “What are your plans for the day?”
“I’m working. And yours?”
“Does Antoine not pay you enough? I should speak to him.”
“Very funny.” She rolled her eyes. “I happen to like working, and I do have other clients besides Antoine. Remember? You overheard me sending a voice note to one when we were in Shanghai.”
“And who are these other clients?”
“I can’t tell you – confidentiality agreements with all of them.”
“Like that actor you were caught with?”
Ingrid felt her cheeks go red. She thought that story was dead, but it was obviously still lurking around on the internet.
“You’ve done your research, too, I see.”
“Of course. I wanted to see who you were. Apart from your Instagram, that story, and a few pics of you at the WTA and society parties, there isn’t much.”
“I try to keep it that way. My clients find me nowadays.” She handed him his coffee. “Back to you, plans for the day?”
“I only have to be at the factory tomorrow, so I was hoping to spend it with you. Preferably doing what we did last night.”
He pulled her close, and Ingrid thought she would also like to continue doing what they had done the previous night.
“We’ll get to that…”
Ingrid thought about how she could plan the day. Erik would be a distraction, and she had back-to-back clients this morning. She didn’t want to leave him roaming around her home either.
“Ok, do you have a car and something to hide that very recognisable blonde head of yours in case we go out?”
“Yes, I have a car. I’m good at keeping myself hidden, don’t worry about that.”
“I’m going to send you to my brother’s place while I work. He’s completely different from me, but I think you’ll get on well enough. If all else fails, he’ll tell you embarrassing stories about me that you can use against me later. I should be done by midday, and then we’ll take it from there.”
“God, you’re just like Astrid.”
“Comparing me to your sister is not really going to turn me on right now.” She laughed.
Erik kissed her. “This working?”
“Yes…but let me call Oli so we can get back to doing more of that before work.”
Ingrid went out onto the balcony and called Oliver to explain her predicament.
“If I had Erik Svensson available in my bed, I would cancel work for the day!”
“Yes, you would, and that’s the difference between us. So, will you take care of him for me for a few hours?”
“Oh, hell yes, Sister. Send the Swede to me!”
“Just behave yourself, please!”
She went back inside. “All sorted. Now, where were we?”
“I think here.” He started kissing her neck.
She noticed the clock behind her and said, “Oh shit, we have to hurry up. My first client is in an hour or so. Shower?”
The sex in the shower was just as phenomenal as out of it. Ingrid didn’t know how she was going to have the discussion with him later. It had to be done, though. She could feel Erik’s eyes on her as she got dressed. She was running out of time to do her hair, so she just pinned it up.
“Ok, this is Oli’s address. He can be quite wild, so behave yourselves. You shouldn’t get into any trouble at this time of day, though.”
Ingrid walked him to the door, put her hand on his chest, and kissed him goodbye.
“I love it when you do that.”
“What?”
“Put your hand on my chest.”
She smiled and sent him on his way.
???
Erik pulled up in front of Oliver’s place in the McLaren he always got when he came to the UK. It wasn’t exactly an inconspicuous car. He rang Oliver’s doorbell and was greeted by the male version of Ingrid.
“Erik Svensson! Welcome!”
“Hello, Oliver!”
He shook his hand as he walked into the house.
“Surprised by how much we look alike?” He laughed.
“Yes, I knew you were twins, but I wasn’t expecting it because of the gender difference.”
“Most people are shocked by it, don’t worry.”
“Can I get you something to drink? Tea? Coffee? Vodka?” He laughed again. “I’m just joking about the last one, but I suspected Sister said something about my being wild.”
“She might have mentioned something…I’ll just have coffee, thanks.”
“Oh, and don’t worry, I don’t have any of that Nespresso stuff here. I have proper coffee.”
They walked through to the kitchen. Erik was already seeing what Ingrid meant when she said she and Oliver were different. He was the extrovert and seemed more carefree. His house was more chaotic than his sister’s, with things everywhere and brightly coloured walls.
“I was told to be on my best behaviour. This must mean she likes you. Although I could already tell that from those photos of the two of you walking through the paddock.”
“You could?” Erik was surprised. He had suspected it at the time, but didn’t think it was obvious to anyone else.
“Oh yes, I know my twin. It was either that or you were fucking already.”
Erik looked at him, surprised by the candidness. He was going to like this twin, too.
“Oh, I hope you don’t mind my bluntness. She wouldn’t have sent you to me at this time of morning if you hadn’t been together last night. Do you take your coffee black or with milk?”
“Black, thanks”
“Do you smoke?”
“I try not to.”
“Do you mind if I do?”
“I’m with your sister, and she smokes every opportunity she gets.” He laughed. “I don’t mind.”
“Neither of us seems to have kicked the habit. We tried together once because we do everything together, but it failed.” Oliver paused. “Are you with my sister?”
“That’s a good question.”
“You shouldn’t let her scare you off, you know. She has some nonsense rules about not mixing work and play, especially since that Andrew fiasco.”
“The actor?”
“Yes, him. Ingrid would kill me for telling you all this, but you’ve been my favourite driver, hers too if she’s honest. I mean, Mark is more to my taste looks-wise, but we both prefer you as a driver.”
This was new information to Erik. He had actually never asked Ingrid which team she supported before she started working with Antoine.
“She never told me any of this! So, she targeted me?”
“Fuck, now I’ve done it!” Oliver said. “No, no, Ingie would never be so brazen. I’m surprised you didn’t know which team she supported or who her driver was. Those are such obvious questions to ask an F1 fan!”
“She probably wouldn’t have told me under the circumstances. But do tell me more…”
Erik leaned back on the couch, and they started chatting away about Ingrid.
He almost felt guilty about mining Oliver for all this information, but it was being given so readily.
The rest of the time was spent discussing the technical side of F1 (Oliver was very knowledgeable on this front), playing video games, and drinking coffee with the occasional cigarette.
Erik enjoyed his time with the other twin.
The differences were there, but they had the same mannerisms. He was armed with all sorts of new information on Ingrid.
“Sister has messaged. She’s walking over to the house now.” Oliver paused their game. “I suppose I should be a good brother for a second and ask what your intentions are?”
“My intentions are to chase your sister until she gets over this bullshit and is mine.”
“Oh, good luck there. She’ll never belong to anyone.”
“What do you suggest then?”
“I’ll be honest. Calm down on the playboy look. Show her you’re serious about life. You might get her then.”
“Thanks, Oli. I mean it. I feel serious about her, but please don’t tell her?”
“VIP pass in your garage and I won’t?”
“Deal. Just let me know which race.”
They heard the door open, and Sir Lewis came trotting through.
“Oh, you didn’t bring that mutt with you, did you?” Oliver cried.
“He is not a mutt; he’s a King Charles Spaniel!” Ingrid retorted.
“Hello, Brother.” She kissed him on the cheek. “Did he behave himself?” Ingrid directed this at Erik.
He was stunned at her beauty. Cheeks rosy from the walk, hair slightly damp with a few waves that had escaped the hairpins, eyes bluer than usual.
“Oh, very well-behaved.” He smiled ruefully.
“I knew I should never have left the two of you together! Don’t believe everything Oli says.”
She sat down on the couch next to him, and Erik put his arm around her. He expected her to move away from this sign of affection, but she didn’t. Instead, she snuggled in closer.
“So, what are the two of you going to do for the rest of the day?” Oliver asked.
“Do you have a cap for him to wear in case we go out? In fact, with that rather fancy McLaren parked outside, we probably need one now.”
“I told you! I know how to keep myself hidden.”
“Yes, but there are always camera phones. You know that. You’ve been caught several times.
” She looked up at him with those blue eyes, and he wanted to kiss her.
“I think we might just have to stay in. I’m starving, though.
Thanks for the groceries, Oli, but your idea of cooking and mine differ. ” She laughed.
“Yes, yes, Ingie, I know. You can cook, and I just make pasta or toasties.” He rolled his eyes.