The Race Director's Daughter (Sebastian Vettel)

62. Wiping the Slate Clean?

Seb glanced over at Leah in the passenger seat.  She was anxious.  Her expression gave it away, along with the incessant tap, tap, tap of her fingers on the car door.  He knew she was worried about how this birthday dinner would go.   He was slightly worried himself.  He knew Martin was trying for Leah's sake, he was too, but the bad blood between them was thick, and it had been for a long time. 

He also felt nervous about what he wanted to ask the older man.  He wanted to ask for his blessing to ask Leah to marry him.   He'd brought the ring along with him.  He was unsure about waiting for Christmas to ask her.  He wanted to ask her as soon as possible.  Then they could tell his family on Christmas Eve when they arrived in Heppenheim.  He was so excited to move on to the next stage of their life together.

"Everything will be ok," he said, trying to reassure her. She didn't answer him, just carried on tapping her fingers on the door. 

Seb concentrated on the road in front.  It was already dark and a freezing fog had descended on the English countryside.   He hated driving in the fog.  Of all conditions, it was his least favourite.  He'd rather drive in a blizzard than in this. He'd driven in blizzards many a time since moving to Switzerland and was used to it by now.

"I was thinking," Leah said, finally breaking her silence.  "I should sell this car.  Seems pointless paying to park it at the airport when we're not here that often. You always get offered a courtesy car by the team  anyway."  Seb couldn't disagree with her logic. 

"If that's what you want."

"Yeah, it is.  I'd offer it to Joel but he's got a better car anyway."

"We'll have to see about getting you your own car for back home.  A DBX or something flashier if you want.  You choose.  Anything your heart desires, apart from a Ferrari.   You're not having one of those."   He wasn't looking at her but he knew she was glaring at him. "Leah, I'm a multi millionaire.  I can afford it.  It can be your Christmas present.  I was wondering what to get you."

"Expensive Christmas present."

"You're worth it.  Come on.  You must have a favourite car.  Preferably an Aston, I can get a discount," he chuckled.  "Shit, this fog isn't lifting.   Typical the flight was delayed.  We should have been at your dad's by now."

"Yeah well that's the UK weather for you."

"So come on, what car do you want?"

"Why do I get the feeling that if I refuse you'll end up buying me one anyway?"

"That is true, so you might as well pick one that you really want!"  Leah sighed.  She knew how stubborn he could be.  He wouldn't back down.  She might as well give in now and save herself the fight. 

"I kinda like the DBS.  Convertible in dark red."

"Of course you do," he laughed. 

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It's a sexy beast, you like me, I'm a sexy beast too, so it figures."

Leah smiled even though she knew he couldn't see her in the dark confines of the car.  As they got nearer to her father's house she began to feel even more anxious.  Would they both behave?  She didn't want them fighting and bickering in front of everyone. 

They reached the gates to the property.  Leah noticed that the gate was new, a wrought iron one.  They were already open, so Seb drove straight through.    He parked the Mazda up outside the house.  They both climbed out and Seb opened the boot.  He lifted the suitcase out.  They were sharing one as were only there for the one night.  They'd be returning to Switzerland the following afternoon, before travelling to Paris for the FIA presentation evening on Friday evening.   If everything went well this evening Leah was thinking about suggesting that they came over for New Year.