Racing For Love

Chapter Sixty One

We both decide to have five more days at Hotel Naturi - bring my stay here up to a blissful three weeks. To make the most of the last few days, Jono and I tick off activities on the exhaustive list - the intention was to distract Jono, but also enjoy these surroundings as much as we can before we travel home, and back to whatever lies ahead for us.

On the first day, it's Jono's turn to have a go at milking - I spend the whole time giggling, especially when Jono gets pooed on by one of the cows. Jono excels at the cheese-making, and is then insufferable as we eat the mozzarella at lunch time. He makes sure to tell everyone that he made it - much to Pete and Sylvie's delight. His enthusiasm is infectious and we sit with the older couple and enjoy lunch together - Pete taking advantage of Jono's good mood and asking a myriad of racing questions. By the time our lunch is finished, they have secured paddock passes to the October race at Circuit of The Americas since they will be back at home in the US by then. Pete beams as we get up from the table, clearly delighted to have a new friend in Jono.

The second day is spent relaxing at the lodge - we both read, sat on the deck and slowly drink our way through pitchers of lemonade made from the lemons grown in the gardens here. At dusk, we join an evening nature walk, creeping through the woods and undergrowth in search of wildlife, only to both be bitten by several mosquitoes. We spend the night kissing each bite better as our limbs tangle together in the darkness and we make love slowly, exploring every inch of each other.

On the third day, we take a kayak and following Sofia's instructions - and my vague recollections - row across to Giovanni's beach. Gio greets us both warmly and we pull the kayak up the beach before ascending the steep stairs and find ourselves back on the terrace eating another delicious lunch spread with Gio, whilst he and Jono chat about Formula 1, Bianchi, and Jono's prospects. The afternoon row back across the lake seems much harder after the lunchtime consumption of fine Italian wines. We find a secluded beach where we stop and strip off to skinny dip in the clear crisp water. It is not long before a water fight breaks our between us - we are both giddy from our afternoon. By the time we eventually return to Hotel Naturi, dusk has fallen across the water and Sofia is angrily awaiting our return, about to send out a search party for us.

For the fourth day, we take the bikes and a packed lunch so that we can explore the local area. Over breakfast we had unfolded a map and planned out a route following twisting roads and bumpy tracks. Our travels lead us through the olive groves and fields of durum wheat swaying in the midday heat. We stop when the sun is high and in the middle of a vineyard, we lay down a blanket and explore each other's bodies, hidden by the vine leaves.

Our blissful week comes to an end as we wake up on the final morning in a tangle of limbs - Jono is seriously the most wriggly person I have ever slept next to, but I love waking up to feel him next to me. I manage to unfurl him from around me and I stand outside taking in the morning sunrise for the final time.

I know that I will return here, to this special place, which brought me back to myself again. It has taught me so much about my resilience, my strength and my perseverance. I have uncovered truths about more than just myself and I have used the strength to be able to forgive. I smile as I think about Gio - we are seeing him today before we fly back home this evening. This won't be the last time we see him either - he has an open invitation to join us at home anytime, which I know he will now accept so that he can say his own final goodbye to Joe.

This special place has brought Jono to me too. There have been moments over the last year when I could have never imagined being as happy as I am now, and with Jono by my side, I feel almost invincible. I know that being happy here has been easy - there has not been the distractions from the outside world, the pressures of racing and the struggles of work, but I know that the connection between us that has deepened during the last week will only continue to strengthen. We have vowed to remain honest to each other, to not shy away from the hard things and to build on our strong foundation.