Lilly & Leclerc ~ [CL 16]

13. Interrupt

"So you're here until after Silverstone?" I check with Amber, taking the turn towards down her parents street. The indicator clicks off as I pull into the upmarket housing estate, each house we pass larger than the previous one as I drive towards the biggest ones at the end of the street. Of course Amber and her parents would live there. The was bought by her parents three years ago, Cisca's dream home. I think it was half bought in relief that the family no longer had to finance any aspect of Lando's driving career.

"Yes." Amber confirms with a sweet smile, her new Tiffany sunglasses on her face. They're one of the few things she actually bought today, a drop in the ocean in comparison to my many shopping bags which are piled high in the boot. Okay so, maybe not piled high, but there's more there than expected to purchase. I've spent way more on our shopping trip than I meant to, but honestly, I had to distract myself somehow. My fingers seem to endlessly dance over Charles's phone number or social media when I don't have anything to occupy my mind with.

"Are you coming to stay here on Thursday? Before?" Amber asks, tapping a message on her phone. I think over the invitation for a moment, indicating once more and turning left to enter the driveway of her parents home before answering. When the house comes into view I'm questioning (as I do every time I visit) why she ever wanted to live in London with Maddie and I in our comparably tiny flat.

I love this house. It's like a house you sketch when you're a kid with crayons.

"Yes please, I need Mama Cisca's cooking before we disappear into the chaos." I try not to let the tension I feel for the weekend show in my voice, keeping my tone playful and light. At least I know that Thursday will be fun. Silverstone is chaotic, especially for Lando and all of the British drivers. The site is huge and I always feel exhausted going for one or two days, much less the whole weekend - as I am this year.

"My god! She's going to be in full host mode." Amber groans sounding pained before flopping her head in her hands, laughing at the future image of her mother. Her mum loves hosting - and I love her. She's always well prepared with a tray of nibbles and kitchen full of food, hounding whoever is at her door full of nutrition (and alcohol). Cisca Norris was born to host and I was born to be her guest, I'm certain of it.

"Okay, well I think you're in Ollie's car with me." Amber explains quickly, gathering her stuff from the car and I just nod pulling to a stop outside her front door. Any form of transport which means I don't have to drive there is fine with me! This will be the third year I've attended Silverstone with the Norris's, but the first attending the whole weekend. The last few years I've only attended the Saturday qualifying, heading back to London on Sunday to prepare for work and escape the craziness of race day.

However, this year Lando kindly invited me to the whole weekend in exchange for 'dealing with Amber', saying he now understands how I struggle with her. His message made me laugh out loud before accepting the invitation. He's organised everything for me, him and his assistant sending me emails with various requests, itineraries and ID requirements over the last few weeks. It's crazy to think that this kid I knew when he was a bright eyed fourteen year old talking about 'formula one' constantly is now competing in the sport he refused to shut up about. I still don't understand it fully, but I can certainly appreciate the time, effort and sacrifice it's taken for Lando (and all the other drivers) to get there.

As much as I am excited for next weekend, I'm also nervous. Being there for Lando also means being in the same place as Charles.

Charles who I haven't seen since our trip to Monaco.

Charles who never called me after his friend Pierre promised he would.

I kick myself at the reminder. It's been five days. Whilst wide awake I haven't quite mustered the same courage I had early on Monday morning to call him back (no matter how ineffective that effort was the first time around). Instead I've been endlessly waiting for some confirmation of life from Charles - it still hasn't come.