A Surprise ⇢ Callum Ilott

THIRTYSEVEN

It was a massive surprise to the Brits when they discovered they could expect a thick layer of snow. Snow in February, after a warm few weeks of winter. People were happy to face the snow; kids were playing outside, even parents were delighted to see the snow. Everybody knew the happiness about the snow was for a short period because once it melted, it was awful to deal with.

Callum, Marcus and Poppy were out for a walk in the woods. Callum and Marcus just got back from the practice days in Maranello. When they saw the snow, they had to get out and enjoy it.

"There's something about snow and people, there's no hate, no irritations, just happy people," Marcus said, satisfied. "But it is cold, my goodness."

Callum put his hands in the pockets of his coat. "I hope it doesn't stay for too long, can't wait for the summer." He looked around him. "I don't like the cold."

"Who loves the cold anyway?" Marcus asked.

"Touché."

They walked around, watched how kids were sledging down some hills and saw how fathers turned into small boys again. If Marcus and Callum were honest, they regretted to bring a sledge along. Marcus was playing with Poppy while Callum was replying to a text he got from Catherine.

—

Cate
I'm in the woods, and there's this dog, and she looks like Poppy

Cate
Or I just think it's her

Cate
Sorry, I'm probably too obsessed with dogs

—

A smile curved on Callum's lips, it was just adorable to receive those texts. He looked around to see where Poppy was; she was running around on the field. He was about to type 'It must be a coincidence', but then he noticed a group of people.

It seemed like Callum was not the only one who noticed the group. "Look at that: a bunch of F1 drivers sledging down a hill like small children," Marcus smirked.

"Brilliant," Callum said. "We should have brought the sledge." The group of people seemed to have the times of their lives.

"We're going to say hi, and we will sledge down the hill after asking it very nicely," Marcus said casually and walked towards the group of people.

George and Lando were sledging down the hill while Lily, Carmen, Catherine, and Alex watched them. They turned into small, happy children.

Callum followed Marcus towards the group, doubting whether he should surprise Catherine or just send the text 'Funny, we're here too!'. Callum hadn't seen Catherine since he left for Maranello, which was three weeks ago. They would see each other tomorrow, but maybe it would be nice to surprise her now. When he got closer to Catherine, he started to hear the conversation.

"This dog looks like Callum's dog," Catherine said confusedly and kept looking at the dog who was jumping around her. "Is this you, Poppy? Is this you?"

Callum pressed his lips on each other, trying not to say anything. He was standing behind Catherine. "Poppy really missed you," he said.

Catherine turned around, and her face softened once she saw who was standing behind her. "Callum," she said and quickly wrapped her arms around him. "How...what are you doing here?"

"I happened to be here as well," he chuckled and wrapped his arms around her as well. "And when I saw your message, I figured you had to be here as well. Surprise."

"Oh, my goodness," she whispered and pulled back to look at him.

"Don't cry," Callum mumbled when he saw a glossy layer of tears covered her eyes.