Racing For Love

Chapter Sixty

The afternoon stretches on, and we continue to enjoy each other's company in the serene surroundings of Giovanni's home. Sofia shares stories about her time working at Hotel Naturi and her interactions with the guests. She recounts some amusing incidents, and her cheerful demeanour brings lightness to the conversation. It's clear that Giovanni takes great pride in his niece, and her presence seems to ease the tension from earlier in the day.

As the sun starts to dip below the horizon, casting a golden hue over the lake, Giovanni looks at me with a mixture of gratitude and sorrow in his eyes. "Thank you, Annie, for coming here today and for forgiving my mistakes. I cannot change the past, but I hope that in some small way, I have made amends today."

"You have already done more than you know, Giovanni," I reply, my heart heavy with emotions. "It means a lot to me that you trust me with the truth, and I know that Joe would have felt the same."

Giovanni nods, taking a deep breath as if trying to find the right words. "Annie, I want you to know that I never wanted to hurt Joe or anyone else. I was desperate, and I made a choice based on fear that had consequences beyond my imagination. I just hope that one day, you can find it in your heart to forgive me completely."

"There's nothing to forgive, Gio," I say, using the affectionate nickname Sofia and Jono have used all afternoon. "You were put in an impossible situation, and you did what you thought was necessary to protect your family. I cannot hold that against you when I would have done the same."

Giovanni's eyes glisten with tears as he reaches across the table and takes my hand in his. "Thank you, Annie," he whispers, his voice breaking with emotion. "You are more forgiving than I deserve."

There is a light chill in the air now the sun has set and Jono and I get up to leave, hugging Sofia and Giovanni and thanking them for their hospitality. Jono and I drive back to Hotel Naturi mostly in silence as I process the mix of emotions swirling inside me. The weight of the truth and the burden of Giovanni's secrets still linger, but there's also a sense of closure that comes from finally knowing the truth about the accident and Joe's involvement in it.

Back at the lodge, I drop my bag inside and stand out on the terrace. Jono is inside and I can hear him going through the paperwork on the desk - now I have involved him in my investigation, I wonder if there is something else he is looking for. Jono soon joins me outside holding one of Joe's books, his eyes soft with a hint of tears - I have no idea what he's found, but judging by his reaction, I don't think it'll be good.

"Annie, have you read this?" he asks, showing me the book - I notice it is the final one - something I had absent-mindedly put into my bag just as I was leaving. Of all of Joe's diaries, I have found this one the hardest to look at.

"A little" I reply, seeing his finger marking a page within the diary.

"Annie, I think you need to read this" he replies, opening the diary as my eyes fix on Joe's final entry, simply entitled 'After Silverstone.' I struggled to breathe, my eyes swimming with tears as I tried to focus on his words:

Wonderful day with Susan and Annie. Race excellent - Jono win, leading championship! Told Jono he had my permission to date Annie - the two of them looked like lovesick puppies. The way Jono smiled when I told him! Reminded me of my darling brother. Ace and JC are a good match, I think. Perfect end to perfect day.

He ended his entry with a small smiley face and a heart - funny little scribbles that I'd seen on many notes before, but these were particularly special. His final mark on his final note. I can't even begin to address what Joe's words said, but I look up to Jono, our eyes both sparkling with tears.

"I can't believe Joe knew before we did," I say to Jono, reaching out to hold his hand.

"Annie -do you remember what I told you in Hungary? I've always noticed you, I even spoke to Kate about us after the French Grand Prix, but things were still going on with you and Lorenzo and Charlotte and I weren't officially broken up. Then you thought I was back together with her...I was finally going to ask you out after Silverstone, but Joe..."