The One That Got Away (Sebastian Vettel)

4. Dark Days

Every day seemed identical to the last. Same routine, same faces. Mollie had had enough. All she wanted was her own bed, her own familiar surroundings.

The doctors were saying that if she kept up her progress then she might be allowed out in the next couple of weeks. As far as she was concerned it couldn't come quick enough.

Seb had visited several more times. There was just no discouraging him. She'd not really spoken much to him but still he came, bringing a big bouquet of flowers every time.

She thought he'd have better things to do with himself on summer break than visit her.

She did appreciate the thought but seeing him just hurt, seeing his perfection when she was just broken.

Speak of the devil, here he was again. Another bunch of flowers. He was driving her mad. She wanted to tell him where to stick his flowers. Flowers weren't going to make her leg heal any quicker. They wouldn't get her back racing. Maybe nothing ever would. There were months, years even, of hard work ahead of her if she was even going to think of racing again.

"Hey Mols, how are you?"  She raised an eyebrow at him and shrugged.   "Your dad said they might be letting you out of here soon. "

"Maybe."  He sat on the chair besides her bed. He picked up her book.

"What are you reading?"

"A book. You should try it sometime."  Seb sighed.

"Mollie, lose the attitude. I'm only asking because I care. "

"Why do you keep coming here?" she spat. "Surely you have better things to do."

"Mollie, I come because I want to. I like your company. I know you're not yourself at the moment but that's understandable."

"But you don't understand Seb!" she exclaimed, raising her voice.

"Help me understand Mollie. Talk to me. It's me Mols. Seb. I thought we were friends."

"How can you understand? Have you ever been stuck in hospital not knowing if you'll ever race again? I'm left scarred, and bald and ugly."  She sobbed. Seb reached out for her, but she pushed him away.

"Get out.  I don't want you here any more. Just leave me alone."

Seb looked visibly shocked. He stood and walked towards the door, hurt.

"I know you don't mean that Mollie. I'll give you some space. I'll come and see you again after Belgium. And for the record, you are not ugly. Your hair doesn't define you. To me you are the most beautiful girl I've ever seen.  Hair or no hair."

"Get out!"she screamed, throwing her book across the room at him, narrowly missing him. He looked at her sadly, then left the room, closing the door behind him.

Mollie sobbed, calling his name, but he had gone. What had she done? She had pushed him away.  She sobbed into her pillow once again. It was probably for the best. She didn't want to distract him from his championship challenge. And she didn't want to be reminded of the career she had potentially lost.  She came to the conclusion that it was time. Time to accept her situation. Now she had to decide what she was going to do next. How was she going to spend the rest of her life? Was she going to fight to race again? Or was it time to think of a Plan B?

                            ***

Darren Rashford stooped down and lifted Mollie out of the car. He carried her up the driveway and into the house. Jude and Kate were waiting eagerly. After six weeks in hospital Mollie was finally home. Kate's emotions became too much for her and she burst into tears.