The One That Got Away (Sebastian Vettel)

22. Begging Forgiveness

Seb could see the look of surprise on Kate Rashford's face as she answered the door.

"Sebastian!" she exclaimed.  "This is a surprise. I assume you've come to see Mollie."

"Hello Mrs Rashford. It's been a while. Yes. Is she here?"

"She's out with the dog at the moment but she shouldn't be too long. Come on in. Can I get you a drink while you're waiting?"

"Yes please, anything cold would be great."

"Extra cold coming up. This heatwave, it's exhausting, isn't it?" Seb nodded in agreement. "Take a seat out the back. There's plenty of shelter. I'll be with you in a minute."  Kate pointed towards the open patio doors on the far side of the kitchen.

Seb headed out and sat down at the table.  He was feeling very nervous. He began taping out the tune of a Beatles song on the table. Kate soon appeared carrying  a glass of fresh orange juice, with plenty of ice in it. She sat down next to him, placing the glass in front of him.

"I don't mean to sound rude Seb, but what are you doing here? Your girlfriend could have killed my daughter. Has she sent you?" He shook his head.

"No, she doesn't know I'm here. I wanted to see if Mollie was ok. I care about her a lot Mrs Rashford. I agree Elena was to blame and I've told her that. I just need to see Mollie. ". Kate smiled at him.

"I hope you can cheer her up. She's been so down lately, not her usual self at all."

Seb's heart skipped a beat. Was he to blame for Mollie's low mood or was it something else?

Suddenly, a black Labrador came bounding through the open doors and Seb heard the front door closing.
Kate stood up. 

"I'll leave you in peace. You stay there. I'll send her through."

Seb began to feel even more nervous. Would she even let him try to apologize? Or would she kick him out ?

                       ***

Mollie smiled at her mum as she came in from out the back.

"Hey Mum, it's getting hotter out there. Hope you've been sitting in the shade."

"Yes darling. Do you want some cold juice?"

"Yes please Mum."

Kate poured Mollie some juice into a glass.  Then she headed off into the lounge.

"By the way. You have a visitor. He's waiting out the back for you," she called from the other room.

"Who?" Mollie shouted back at  her, but she got no answer.

She shrugged and picked up her juice, heading outside to find out. It was probably Ash, or maybe Will or Luca.

She recognised the back of Seb's head straight away. What was he doing here? Didn't the fact that she had ignored all of his messages tell him that she didn't want to talk to him?

She was about to turn around and go back inside when he turned and saw her.

"Mollie please, just give me five minutes. And if you still don't want to talk to me I'll go. Just five minutes."

"In case it wasn't already clear,  I don't want to talk to you. What are you doing here?"

"You wouldn't answer me so I had to come. You left me no choice. I had to see that you were ok. I'm so sorry Mollie."

"What for Sebastian? Your girlfriend nearly killing me or for walking out on me when you had me naked?"

Seb cringed. He already felt like a prick. Now, even more so.