Running From The Flames

Red Carpet

I would never truly be comfortable in front of all the cameras but they no longer sent me spiralling into a panic attack. I still held Pierre's arm a little tighter as we stepped out of the limousine and made our way towards the mass of reporters.

I looked back at the car longingly but it was already pulling away so the next one could pull in, possibly the one with Granny and Matthew. Pierre had renewed her interest in the sport and now she was looking to invest in one of the teams, obviously we knew it was going to be Alpine but she wanted an invite to the event so she hadn't declared that piece of information yet.

Someone called Pierre's name and we were led to the side where a few special commentators were allowed to interact with guests. We were told to stand at the x taped to the carpet and dutifully moved into position as the woman introduced herself as Anya Beckett of Vanity Fair.

"I am here with the gorgeous couple, Pierre Gasly and Brianna Vowles, so tell me, who are you wearing tonight?"

Pierre expertly unbuttoned his fitted jacket with one flick and held the sides open as he did a turn. The women in the crowds lining the red carpet nearly deafened me with their screams and he waved with a smile and a wink that would only make them louder.

Since he was busy working the crowd up and then darting forward to sign a few autographs the microphone was turned to me for the answer.

"We are both wearing special pieces from Betty Strauss to raise awareness that today is the international White Ribbon Day which aims to eradicate violence against women."

"Oh yes, I see that now," she said as she waved to the crossed neck halter. "But this is definitely not any of the vintage collections I have seen, how did you possibly get the Betty Strauss out of retirement?"

A cheer went up as the next limo arrived and I looked down the red carpet to see Granny waving like a Queen to her subjects. Matthew looked every bit the professional model he was as he tucked one hand in his pocket and looked down the camera with a pose, one arm around Granny's waist.

"Wow, I hope I look half as good as that at her age," Anya blushed as Betty strutted her way over in towering heels. "Betty, it's wonderful to see you outside of Fashion Week. I know this wasn't on anyone's bingo card for the season."

"Life would be a drag if I were anything but unpredictable. Doesn't my granddaughter look wonderful?"

Anya's eyes darted between us. "Granddaughter?"

"Harry may have got the surname in the divorce," Betty joked, "but we still had Damien together."

"Of course," Anya laughed nervously as she gave Matthew a side glance but he was used to Granny's sense of humour that dad had inherited. "And can we expect to see this stunning piece in the new season drop for Strauss Fashion?"

I shook my head and spoke up. "This, along with Pierre's suit and his racing helmet, are going to be up for auction tomorrow night after the race. All the money will be donated to The Kering Foundation so if you haven't registered already you can find the link to the form on any of mine or Pierre's social media accounts."

I looked around trying to find him and spotted him way back down the red carpet with Charles who had just arrived. The two were talking animatedly together and he pointed my way before clutching his chest. I cocked an eyebrow up at Pierre and Charles cupped his hands around his mouth to shout over the crowd. "He won't stop telling me how beautiful you look!"

"I can't, it's true," Pierre shouted before they were asked to make their way towards the building and he caught me around the waist, his lips teasing my ear as he whispered. "You are so beautiful it hurts."