After the Hate Has Gone (Sebastian Vettel)

37. Heartbreak

The last couple of weeks had passed by so quickly. Her dad had had a bit of a setback and had needed another surgery but he was on the mend now and all being well he would be home by next weekend.

Seb had finished second in Mexico. He'd only managed 10th in Brazil after a coming together with Perez 11 laps from the end had left him needing a new front wing. She hadn't heard from him at all. Then again, she hadn't expected to.  She'd told Sophie and Joel to tell him to give her space. Even so, she had expected him to at least text.

She hadn't tried to call after that first night. She'd visited her dad faithfully every day. Joel and Sophie had popped by to see her after they'd arrived back from Brazil. They were due to fly out to Australia the next day.  Part of her wished she was flying out with them. Maybe she'd be back for Saudi Arabia. 

She couldn't quite believe that there were only three race left of the season. She thought about Seb, wondered what he was doing. Had he gone to visit his family like he had been thinking about doing?

She had just gotten up when she heard a knock at the door.  She wondered who it was. She ran down the stairs and opened it to find a grinning Joel stood there.

"OK, what's the creepy ass grin for?"

"Guess what."

"What?"

"Well you know Ive been waiting ages for my knee op?"  Lottie remembered. He had been waiting for keyhole surgery on his knee cartilage for several months.

"What about it?"

"Well they've had a cancellation so I can finally get it done."

"That's great news Joel."

" A week tomorrow."

"You must be relieved."

" You know what that means, don't you?"

"No, but I'm sure you're going to enlighten me. Anyway don't stand on the door step. Come in."

"It means I can't go to Australia so I get to bug you," he said making his way into her kitchen and opening the fridge, helping himself to a can of Sprite.

"Make yourself at home," she said, sarcastically.

"Thanks Lottie. So I was wondering, could I possibly ask you a favour? Could you take me in and pick me up after? It's only a day case but obviously I won't be able to drive and Soph will be in Melbourne."

"Yeah of course, that's no bother."

"You are an angel.  How's your dad doing anyway?"

"Oh he's much better thanks. Hopefully he'll be home by next weekend."

"Great news. So will you be back for Saudi? I'm going to be out the rest of the season."

"Maybe. Not sure yet."  A silence descended for a few minutes.

"He misses you, you know. "

"Has he said that?"

"No, but he's been walking around with a face like a wet weekend. He's stopped socialising with everyone. He was asking after you the day you flew home. He wanted to talk to you."

"He hasn't tried. I don't know if that's because he's respecting my wish for space or if we really are over."

"Why don't you call him?"

" I tried the day I arrived home. It kept going to voicemail."

"He did say something about breaking his phone."

" Yeah well I'm going to leave it. We need to talk in person."

"Yeah probably best. Are you going to see your dad today?"

"Yes, this afternoon."

"Pop round tonight? Soph would love to see you before she flies out to Oz."

"OK, I'll see you later."

"Chin up girl. You and Seb will be ok."

"I hope so Joel. I hope so."

***

In the end Martin Lawson didn't come home by the following weekend. The doctors had been unhappy with his blood results so wanted to keep him in longer. He wasn't very  happy about it. Lottie told him he had to do what he was told. 

Joel had come round to watch the Australian Grand Prix  with her. What a strange old race it turned out to be. A first lap accident wiped out four cars. Then everything that could go wrong did go wrong.

Another 4 car accident on lap 14 left only 12 running. Then another 3 had mechanical failure. In the end nine cars finished the race with a surprise victory for Lance. Seb unfortunately had been one of the cars that retired with mechanical failure. 

She expected that he would be pissed off.  After the race had finished  Joel headed off  home. They arranged for Lottie to pick Joel up in the morning to take him to the hospital.   She went to visit her dad a bit later and then headed home for an early night.

***

The next day she dropped Joel off at the hospital and headed into town to do a bit of shopping.  She went home and put it away, then sat and watched some television whilst waiting for Joel to call to pick him up. He called just after 4 o clock. She headed straight over. He still looked a bit dopey from the anaesthetic.  A nurse pushed him to the car in a wheelchair.

Together they helped him into the car. It was only a short 20 minute drive back to his house. She'd just got him settled on the sofa when her phone rang. Seeing it was her stepmother she answered it.

"Hi Lindsay, I've just dropped Joel home. I'll be in to see dad shortly."  Lindsay started to cry.

"Lindsay what is it?" Lottie asked, beginning to panic.

"Lottie, I'm so sorry."

"What Lindsay? No, don't tell me. Please don't say it."  She began to shake. Joel eased himself off of the sofa. He put his arms around her.  "I'm so sorry. He's gone. Your dad passed away."

Lottie dropped the phone. She couldn't move. She couldn't breathe properly. Not her dad. Please no. Joel stooped down to retrieve the phone. He spoke gently to Lindsay before placing the phone on the coffee table.

"Lottie. I am so sorry sweetheart." She sat down, shell-shocked. How could her dad be gone? He was getting better. How could he leave her?

" Do you want to stay here in the spare room?" She nodded, still not uttering a word. "Soph will be home tomorrow evening." She nodded. She stood up and walked up the stairs and into the spare room. She laid on the bed and just stared at the wall, unable to do anything else, not even cry.  He was gone. The one person who had been there all of her life.  What was she going to do without him?