Valerie

Part 1

VALERIE

When Lewis heard that I'd be joining the team, starting in Bahrain, he insisted on taking me out to dinner the night before my big day, with Maddie, his sister, who was starting as Toto's assistant. I told him to let it go, it really wasn't a big deal. But my dad insisted, he told me it would be a good way to meet new people.

New people.

As if we wouldn't be traveling around the world for the next ten months and actually have time to build connections with these new people. I rolled my eyes but agreed, just to get them both off my back.

Lewis and Maddie decided on the restaurant, and I sat in the back seat of the car in silence, listening to their conversation and excitement about the start of the season as we drove to the restaurant.

When we sat down, Lewis grinned broadly at me.

"What? Is there something on my face?" I ask him, rubbing my cheek.

He laughs. "No. But the dinner was just a ruse to get you to come out and get your dad off of our backs. We're going clubbing."

I close the menu and look at him. "Oh? Well, you could've let me in on that plan."

Lewis laughs and reaches over the table, opening the menu in front of me again. "I am feeding you proper food before I start pouring alcohol down your throat though."

I smile at him. "Okay deal."

Maddie smiles at me gently before saying. "Val, if you feel like it's too much, or you need some air, just let us know okay?"

I put my hand on hers. "Madeline. Maddie. Please don't treat me with kid gloves any more. Really, I'm fine."

They look at each other and Lewis then turns to look at me. "Val. You don't have to put up your walls with us."

I shrug. "I'm not Lew. I'm tired of being treated like a china doll by everyone around me. Is there a big gaping hole in my heart that will never close? Yes. But do I need to start building my life up again, and start living? Also yes. This is a good start for me. No one really knows me here. They don't know my story. I don't want people trying to fix me or handle me or tiptoe around me. I'm good, guys, seriously."

Lewis nods, satisfied with what I've just said. "You've got it, Val. The kid gloves are off. Tonight we are getting wasted."

I laugh. "Uh, maybe not totally wasted. I'd like to not have my dad angry at me on the first day of the job."

We eat dinner and then head over to the club. I ask them to not tell people who I am right away, I don't want people making assumptions. Maddie tells me it's pointless because they'll find out soon enough. So instead we agree to just not mention it until it comes up.

We walk into the club and Carmen, George's girlfriend pulls me into a tight hug and gives me a kiss on the cheek. We know each other from them coming over for dinner, he was in the Mercedes Young Driver Programme, and I know dad is watching him, hoping he'll be able to give him a seat at Mercedes should either Lewis or Valtteri decide Mercedes isn't home anymore. Right now he drives for Williams.

"How are you, Val?" Carmen asks, squeezing my shoulders. Maddie leans in, whispering in her ear. I guess she's told her what I said at the restaurant because she frowns, drops her hands from my shoulders, and then smiles at me, nodding.

"Thanks," I say to her before I follow Lewis who is introducing me to some of the drivers.

I greet everyone. Pierre, Charles and Charlotte, Valterri, who I already know, stands up and gives me a hug, lifting me gently off the floor, Lando, Carlos, Fernando, and Max. Of course, I know who all these people are, just because I haven't been on track in years, doesn't mean that I don't watch every single GP.