The Race Director's Daughter (Sebastian Vettel)

12. That Famous Ricciardo Charm

Daniel looked in the mirror and winked at himself.

"Looking good Ricciardo," he said.  Grabbing his phone, wallet and keycard, he headed out of the door.  He went outside to where his trainer, Michael, was waiting for him.

"There you are! I was just about to call you."

"Yeah, I was sorting my hair out. Have to look my best here, the cameras are everywhere." He wasn't joking. As the only Australian on the grid he attracted a LOT of attention.

They headed out of the circuit into the warm Melbourne evening. It was so good to be back in Australia.  He loved living in Monaco and he loved his place in LA even more, but there was no place like home. 

It was Friday and he and Michael were heading to his parents' hotel to meet them for dinner.  He was looking forward to spending more time with them, even though it hadn't been long since he'd been over during the winter break.  They'd arrived this morning and he hadn't had the chance to see them yet, having been busy at the circuit.

It didn't take long for a group of fans to recognise him and he spent ten minutes taking selfies with them, much to Michael's annoyance.  Daniel always tried to be good to the fans.   He was so grateful for their support, they'd really helped him through a tough season the year before.  The least he could do was take a few pictures. 

Rejoining Michael, they carried on down the busy Melbourne street.   He stopped as they were about to pass a side street he recognised from the many times he'd been to Melbourne before. 

"Michael, we're taking a detour," he announced.  "I really need one of Nancy's peanut butter cupcakes.  You cannot complain. It's cheat day!"

"Ok, but just the one yeah Daniel?"

"Of course!  What do you take me for?"  Michael raised his eyebrows knowingly.  He knew that given the chance Daniel would buy the café's whole supply of them.

They turned down the narrow side street and soon came across the little family run business that Daniel had discovered when he was out running several years ago.  He was pleased to see it was still open. 

He went inside and headed up to the counter.   "Why hello there pretty lady!" he exclaimed. 

The elderly lady behind the counter gasped.  "Daniel Ricciardo, aren't you a sight for sore eyes?"  She walked around the counter and threw her arms around him.  "How the hell are you?"

"I'm great thanks Nancy.  You are looking fantastic.  I bet you're beating all the men off with a stick "

"They won't leave me alone, but there will never be another Tommy."   Daniel smiled fondly as he remembered Nancy's husband.  He'd been a big fan of Daniel's and had never let him pay for cupcakes.  He'd passed away two years previously. 

"I suppose you'll be wanting cupcakes."

"Just the one Nancy, I promised my trainer, and he's waiting right outside."

"Shhh. What he doesn't know can't hurt him."  She walked back around the counter and using a pair of tongs put a peanut butter cupcake into a brown paper bag.  She handed it to him.  Then she picked another one up and held it out, dropping it into his hand.  "Eat it now.  He'll never know."  Daniel went to take his wallet out to pay.  "It's on the house,"
Nancy said. 

Daniel thanked her. He ate his cupcake and was about to leave when he spotted a familiar looking face sat at the table by the window.  He smiled to himself.  He popped over to the door and beckoned Michael over. 

"You go ahead and meet my mum and dad.  I'll see you there."

"Daniel," Michael said sternly.  "You'd better not be eating junk. I know it's cheat day, but that doesn't mean you have to go overboard."