away we go • formula 1

Tea cakes

The days we spent in Vienna really brought up my spirits and made me appreciate my life even more. Leaving home wasn't easy as I was missing my twin the second I walked out the door.

Lando left for England while I was going to Faenza.
"So should I pick you up tomorrow?", Lando asked at the airport. "No George is gonna do it", I admitted. He chuckled : "Ah young love.", and I blushed.
He left for his gate and I left for mine. Fortunately I only had one day in Faenza. It was a day in the simulator which are my favourite out of the factory days. While I was in Italy Sofie, my new PA, told me that I did have some simulator work scheduled while I was staying with the boys in England. But it was at the Red Bull Factory in Milton Keynes so it wasn't a problem and didn't clash with our plans.
When I left left Italy in the early hours of Friday I was kind of nervous. 
I'll be at the airport at 10 am. See you soon 🤍~ Georgie
Perfect the plane should land at 9:30. Thank you for picking me up.🤍~ Lin

To say I was excited to spend some time with the boys was the least. I mean I will miss spending time with Stoffel but that way he and Anna can have some time to their own.
Alex, George and Lando became my friends when we were still karting. It was before I joined Stoffel in Formula 2. We always had a great bond but I gotta admit that I didn't spend enough time with them in the last year. My life got hectic once I got into Formula 1 but that shouldn't have been a reason for me to neglect them.
We shared a bond that was unbreakable. Not by all the misfortunes thrown in Alex' way. Not by mine and George's failed relationship. Not by Lando's mental health problems. We always stood by each other and I felt really angry with myself for not interacting with them in the last months. They were the only friends I had that were my age because Stoff is way older than me and I still don't get how we ended up in formula 2 together. I mean it was his last and my first year but still.  They stood by me whenever I needed them.  I gotta do something to show them I care about them and to apologise for being a shitty friend.
Maybe I can plan a movie marathon day and prepare snacks and dinner for us. They used to love that. One of them would have to borrow me a car but that shouldn't be a big problem.

The flight was bearable but I still hate flying with a passion. The minute I stepped off the plane I felt a warmth surround my heart. I used to come here more often and every single memory was filled with joy.  I got my luggage and stepped into the arrival hall. There he was.
Wearing a cap and sunnies as a kind of disguise but he could never fool me with that. In his hands he gripped a sign saying "Carolin" and a photo of us four idiots.  I speed walked up to him and hugged him tightly. "Hi.", he said while we still were in the hug. "Hey.", I grinned at him. "How was your flight?", George asked.  "It was alright. But I'm just really happy to be here.", I smiled and he smiled back at me. "Let's go. The boys are waiting.", he said an grabbed my trolley. "You do know that I can carry that by myself?", I asked him and chuckled. "Yep but what kind of gentleman would I be if I didn't carry it?", he winked at me and we walked to his car. "Flashy merc!", I joked when we got to his car. "You know I gotta impress the ladies.", he laughed. George smiling really was something I missed. His smile was infectious and brightened every mood.
We got settled into the car. "So I had a thought. I was being an ass the last few months. Well ever since I got to F1.  And I neglected you and the boys.  So I wanted to treat you guys to a movie night. With everything just like when we were younger.", I explained as we pulled it of the parking lot. "Linny you really don't have to.", he said.  "I want to.  No discussions.  So could I maybe borrow your car?", I questioned.  "No. ", he deadpanned. "Why?", I whined. "I'll drive you. Have you seen your road car driving?", he chuckled. "Hey!!!", I complained. "I'm joking. But I still want to drive you. I wanna choose some of the snacks.", George explained. "Ok but only you. Lando is a nightmare and Alex won't let us buy all the sweets.", I looked over at him. He seems so confident behind the wheel. "Sure. We can go now if you want.". "Yes please. And at home I'm gonna start right away.", I smiled.

"So what are we gonna get?", George asked looking through the candy section at Tesco's. "Everything.", I said and grabbed everything I liked and threw it into the shopping cart. George started laughing and I joined. "Hey do you remember these?", he said and held up our snack. Tea cakes.  "Oh my god. We used to eat these all the time. ", I gasped and walked right up to him. "I bought them for every date just because I knew you loved them so much. ", he looked straight into my eyes.  "Yes you did. Just to make me smile.", I took the chance and pecked his lips. "What was that for?", he chuckled. "Just because you are you.", I said and intertwined our fingers.
"Does Lando have fairy lights?", I asked George when we came across some. "How should I know?", he said. "Well then we gotta buy some because I want fairy lights.", I announced. "Of course you do.", he whispered. "Don't act like you don't like them.", I said and hit his shoulder.  He grinned and gave me a kiss on the head.
At the checkout George insisted to pay and when he sets his mind on something you can't really change it anymore.

We travelled to Lando's house and two cars were already parked in front of it. "Looks like we are the last ones arriving.", George stated the obvious. "No shit Sherlock.", I hugged and chuckled. "Hey!",he complained.  I started to get out of the car but George stopped me.  "What?", I said and he pulled me into a kiss. A smile crept up on my face and I kissed back.  I felt at home.
"I really missed this and you.", George whispered. "Me too. George?". "Yes?". "I'm happy."

We walked into the house as the door was unlocked. "Hello!!! Come here I come bearing gifts.", I called out. "Caro!", Alex exclaimed and picked me up. "Hi Alex.", I smiled. "Good flight?", Alex asked. "Eh as good as they get.", I said. "Where is my little muppet?", asked as Alex and George greeted each other. "He is upstairs moping." Alex said. I dropped my stuff and went up to his room. "Lando?", I knocked on the door. "Come in", he croaked. "Hey... what's up?", I asked as I sat down on his bed where he was laying. "Don't worry about me. Just a bad day.", he said and turned to me. "But I do worry.". "Don't it's just one of those days.", Lando said. "I might just have something to turn this day around.", I said and stretched out my hands to pick him up. "Really? You bought all the milk at Tesco's?", he joked halfheartedly.
"Something like that.", I winked.

When we got back down, Alex and George where already in the living room. "Since George already knows what the surprise is, he has to help me. And you two have to wait in the kitchen.", I explained. "Ah Georgie already knows.", Lando wiggles his eyebrows. "Shut it Norris.", I bellowed and pushed him out of the living room.
"George get all the blankets and pillows you can find. I'll prep the snacks and set the room up.", I ordered. "Sure thing.", he said and pecked my lips.
I put all the snacks in bowls or on plates. I propped up the fairy lights and George brought the blankets and pillows. And so ordered our favourite foods "Looks alright, right?", I asked. "Looks great. I'll get them.
"This better be a great surprise because we were bored.", Alex complained. "I'm sure you'll like it.", George said. They stepped into the room and their eyes lit up. "Linny this is great. How did we earn this?", Alex asked. "I've been a shit friend in the last months. And so wanted to make it up to you. We got all the snacks and pillows and blankets. Also I ordered food and I should come in like 15 minutes.   I really hope this counts as a start of me making up to you three.", I told them. "Linny you don't have to apologise to us.", Lando said and the other two nodded. "Also I think you already made up to George.", Alex joked and my jaw dropped. "Idiot.", George whispered and slapped his head. "I really do need to do this. So please just enjoy it and make me feel like I did something right. ", I begged them. "Of course you idiot.", Lando came and hugged me. "How could we not.", Alex said as he and George joined the hug. I felt the tears come up to my eyes. 
How did I deserve these people?