One Day // Daniel Ricciardo

CHAPTER 21

The remaining clothes I had lying about my hotel room were finally zipped in to my suitcase and I was fully packed. For the amount of travelling, I do I'm really not good at packing, its continuously left until the last minute and I'm always rushing about for my transfer.

"Can you rethink Jess? I'd really like you to be with me next weekend. It's just one more week and then we can go home together."

"We're not there yet, we have so much to focus on together I think I'm just a distraction here with you. I've relied on you. Lot for emotional support, I think for the first time I should just go home and be alone."

"You're only ever a good distraction for me." I knew he was lying but I appreciated him trying.

I spent my last few minutes reassuring him that I was going to be okay and it would only be a week until he came home too, it was practically no time apart from each other.

The transfer to the airport was a long bumpy ride, the driving standards in Singapore were wild. I was continuously swinging from one side to the other while the driver avoided cars going in multiple directions. The driving wasn't even the worst part, I was just excited to get back to London and cool weather.

Touchdown in Heathrow and I was lost. Physically I knew where I was going, I could get the underground to the centre and then a train home... that part was fine. Mentally I was back to reality and unsure of what to do.

The delays from the train strikes meant I was waiting almost four hours in the train station just watching people storm past. Ironically people were always in a rush in London and I was probably the only person in the whole city who could not care less about time.

When the train finally pulled up in to the platform and I found a seat the tiredness hit me. All I wanted to do was get home, find my comfiest set of pyjamas and curl up in front of the TV.

"Jess? Oh my god, I can't believe it!" I looked up to see my sister-in-law Emily standing in front of me.

Emily was married to my brother and was every bit as glamorous as she always had been.

She stood tall, easily 5'10 at least with long straight brown hair and a petite slender figure. Her personality trait was being one of those cool Mum's that drove a range rover, had the kids at after school clubs every day of the week and wore long fancy coats and sunglasses in the winter.

She put her coffee and a brand-new Louis Vuitton bag on the table in front of me and sat herself down.

"This is crazy, we live only streets away and never bump in to each other yet here we are on a train in London."

I liked Emily, I always had but in recent years id never had a close relationship with my brother and we all drifted apart.

"Small world." I smiled.

It was tricky being nice as much as I did like her. At the end of the do I do and always will hold a grudge for my brother for not defending me in the court case. At the end of the day, he knew exactly what it was like being raised by our mother and still never stepped in when she fought for custody with Hallie.

"Listen Jess, I know a train isn't the place to say it but he's sorry about what happened." Emily spoke, "Trust me, Mark hates himself, he just wanted as little to do with your Mum as possible it interfered with what was actually important."

"What happened," I shrugged, "I get he wanted an escape, trust me, I did too. Anyway, how are the kids?"

"Great," She chirped, "We're having a party for Olivia on Sunday, it's just in the house just a little informal gathering we would really love if you could come. Mark would really love it."

Would I have been invited if I hadn't of bumped in to her on the train? I doubt it but I did always send a card to their kids on their birthdays and Christmas and I did miss them so I suppose it wouldn't be difficult to drop in to my nieces' birthday.

"I suppose you're only ten once? I'll drop in, just text me the details." I agreed. I would probably regret my decision but there would be no harm in trying.

"How is life anyway? I heard you were with Tom? That's so crazy, he was madly in love with you in high school I' surprised it took you so long to see it." She giggled but I found it impossible to interrupt, "And Daniel's at McLaren? Gosh, that must be awkward for you both. We liked him we liked you both together actually but I think Mark's love of the sport was just talking there, you know he's not a big fan of McLaren, could never understand why you took a job there but he still watches every week for Daniel-"

"I'm not with Tom." I finally interrupted, "Dan and I are back together, I actually just flew home from Singapore. Tom and I didn't work out and I quit my job after... uh... after Hallie left."

She opened her eyes wide and instantly grabbed my hand over the table.

"Jess? What the fuck?"

I won't lie. Hearing people who were all prim and proper swear always gave me a laugh.

"Shit happens Em, I'll work something out."