Red Hot! (Sebastian Vettel)

50. The Treehouse

Libby held her twin tightly, both of them sobbing as they reunited after a year apart.

"I've missed you so much," Emmie cried. "Don't ever leave me again! I mean it. You have to stay here forever and ever."

"I've missed you too. You'll soon be fed up of me! We haven't lived together for years. Have you forgotten how you used to complain about me?  Soon you'll be begging me to go!"

Penny wrapped her arms around them both, her own tears streaming down her face. She'd begun to fear this day would be a long time coming. When Libby had said she was extending her stay in Nashville she'd feared her daughter would never return to the U.K. to live. Now here she was, safe and sound in her arms, back home where she belonged. 

Although she suspected Libby's feelings for Seb had played a part in her decision to return home, she wasn't completely sure what had changed her daughter's  mind.  She was so happy to have her there whatever the reason. Now she could look after her and make sure she was ok.

Finally they broke apart and headed inside the house, each twin pulling a suitcase behind them.

"Sadie said she will be around in the morning. Benjamin is full of cold and Tom has gone out."

"That's fair enough." Libby headed straight for the dining room. She went up to Rosie's cage. "Hello you! I hear you're a clever girl and learnt a new word!" Rosie gave her a strange look.

"Do you want a cup of tea love?" Penny asked from the doorway. Libby sank onto a chair at the table.

"Yes please Mum. I'd love one."  She hadn't eaten or drank anything besides water since leaving Nashville.  She'd been meaning to get something before catching a taxi here but in the end she'd been too excited to wait.  She hadn't wanted to wait any longer to see her family. 

After Penny had left the room Emmie sat down and grabbed Libby's hand across the table.

"Are you ok? Mum said you were in bits on the phone. She said you wouldn't tell her what was wrong."

"I don't really want to talk about it Emmie."

"I'm here if you change your mind. Meanwhile, how would you like to come Christmas shopping with me on Sunday?"

"You haven't done it yet? Emmie! You are so disorganised! There are only ten days to go!"

"Have you done yours yet?" Emmie said accusingly. 

"No," Libby spluttered.

"Well then."

"I only arrived in the country today!"

Emmie burst out laughing. "You know me Libs, I always leave it to the last minute. So do you fancy it?"

"Yeah, go on then."

"It'll be fun. We can pop into Wetherspoons for lunch and have a few glasses of wine. Mum can drop us off and pick us up."

"It sounds fun." Libby thought that maybe it would help to take her mind off of Seb.

"It's him, isn't it?" Emmie said as if she knew Libby was thinking about Seb. 

"What is who?" Libby said, playing dumb. She knew exactly what Emmie meant.

"Seb. You're upset because of him."

"Not everything revolves around Sebastian Vettel."

"So you're telling me you're over him?"

"Well no, but I don't want to talk about him.   I'm putting him in the past.  I can't let him rule my life.  I need to move on.  I thought I was beginning to but I realised I was just pretending.   I don't belong in Nashville.  I belong here, with my family."