lana (f. cevert)

One

Francois Cevert had absolutely no idea whatsoever how he survived his accident at Watkins Glen. Somehow, though, he managed it. He did, however, have to stop racing. He just wasn't strong enough. He had the strength in his legs to walk, but not much more.

He certainly couldn't drive anymore.

Once he was released from Hospital, he spent some time living with the Stewarts. It was Helen who had offered, and François had readily accepted. François was worried about living on his own after the accident. It had taken so much out of him he worried that he may not be able to fend for himself. He couldn't accept Helen's offer fast enough when it came along. They hadn't told Jackie that François was coming to stay for a while, and it was a welcome surprise when he turned up at the door.

"François! What are you doing here?" Jackie said, surprised to see the young Frenchman outside his house.

"Helen said I could come and stay for a while" François replied.

Jackie just raised his eyebrows and muttered something about his 'brilliant wife' before letting François in. They entered the house, and Jackie took François' bags up to what would become his room while the Frenchman said hello to Helen and the boys.

"Thank you for letting me stay, Jackie" François said, when they found a moment alone.

"Oh, it's no problem. How are you doing?" the Scotsman replied. François replied that he was doing ok, and broke the news that he couldn't race anymore. Jackie hugged his young friend sympathetically but quickly added

"Maybe it's for the best. At least this way you can't kill yourself racing". François nodded at this, and added that he'd rather be alive and not racing than have killed himself doing what he loved.

Later that evening, once the boys had been put to bed and read a story by their Uncle François, they settled down in the sitting room. François saw it as his moment to talk to Helen and Jackie about his plans.

"I.. I think I would like to settle down. Y'know, find a nice girl and get married. My accident reminded me just how short life can be"

"Well" Helen started. She had an idea, and Jackie could see this.

"I think that is a marvellous idea" Jackie finished. François smiled, glad that his friends approved of his idea.

"Y'know François, I think I knew just the woman" Helen said after a few minutes. Jackie and François simply raised their eyebrows at each other before encouraging Helen to tell François all about this mystery woman.

Lana Lesley was Helen's cousin. She had grown up in England, whereas Helen had been brought up in Scotland. They looked quite alike, but not enough for François to feel like he was dating Helen's doppelgänger. This was one of the first things Helen made sure François knew about her. Lana was very interested in motorsport, and was always at the British Grand Prix to support Jackie. Lana had even been lucky enough to be at Monza to see Jackie's first Formula 1 win in 1965. She had, however, never run into François.

"Helen, I don't need you to set me up on a date" Lana had protested. She made sure her cousin was completely clear about how fine Lana was on her own thank you very much.

"No, I know you don't but I want to" Helen had replied. She told Lana all about François and how depressed he was about having to give up racing. Lana felt sorry for the Frenchman, even though she'd never met him... somehow. On race weekends, Helen assured her, François and Jackie were joined at the hip. Eventually Lana gave in, and agreed to have dinner with the Stewarts and François. She was looking forward to seeing her nephews Mark and Paul again, and she was a little bit excited to meet François. From what she'd heard, and the photos she'd seen, François seemed like a nice man and was quite attractive. At least Helen was trying to set her up with somebody attractive.

Lana arrived for dinner, not nervous per se, just a bit apprehensive. Dating wasn't something Lana did all that often, so knowing quite how to behave was going to be a task in itself. It would be fine, she told herself. Helen and Jackie and the boys would be there, it's not like it was going to be just Lana and François. That's what Lana thought, anyway. She parked in front of the large, impressive house. Taking a deep breath, she got out of the car and made her way to the door. Before she could ring the bell, Helen opened the door, quickly followed by Mark and Paul.

"Lana!"

"Auntie Lana!"

"Hello boys" Lana said as she walked into the house, following the boys and followed by her cousin. Mark and Paul led her into the living room, where Jackie and François were sitting, discussing cars, she presumed. Helen led her over to the men, and they stood and watched them as they noticed the women's' presence.

"Hello Lana" Jackie said as he got up, kissing her cheek.

"Hi Jackie, how have you been?"

"Oh, you know," He replied, smiling, "this is François"

Lana stuck out her hand to shake his, but he lifted it to his lips and pressed a gentle kiss to her knuckles. Blushing slightly as he smiled at her, they made their way to the kitchen where Helen was just finishing cooking.

"Come on! Get it while it's hot!" She called, bringing a thundering of small boys footsteps from upstairs. François offered Lana his arm, which she readily accepted.

Helen cooked a beautiful dinner, as per usual, and soon the group of them (minus Mark and Paul) were sitting in the front room of the Stewarts' large house, sipping wine or brandy.

François decided then and there that he didn't know much, but he did know that he fancied the pants off Lana Lesley