Racing For Love

Chapter Sixty Two

It seems rather gratuitous to take a private plane for the two-hour journey between Italy and London, but Jono had already planned it, and who was I to turn down the offer. We were greeted by an airhostess, who offered drinks, delicious food and warm towels as we stepped aboard. The whole plane is luxurious and I can't help stroking the soft leather armrest as she runs through the safety procedures whilst I stare around in awe. By the time I've explored the - admittedly small - interior of the plane, it is time to land and it takes us no time to get through customs. We are soon in Jono's car, speeding along the motorway and back towards home. I stare at the grey English surroundings, already missing Italy, as Jono expertly meanders through the traffic.

"Do you want me to come back with you, Ace?" Jono asks, his voice hesitant.

"Um, it's up to you, but I'd really like it if you stayed..." I reply, my own tone unsure - we've not discussed what this means now we're home - in Italy it was easy for us to be together, but now the challenges begin.

"If I come back with you, can we just go back via mine first so I can pick up some stuff?"

"Sure. I've actually never seen your place, JC!" I say, surprised that we've known each other this long, without me ever going into his house. He has always come to me, and I blush with guilt at this realisation.

"Sorry I've never been before - I'm not a very good friend."

"Ace, it's fine. I like hanging out at yours better anyway. We're nearly there." Jono says, as he indicates and pulls into the driveway of a large house on the outskirts of the town. We enter into an underground car park and I realise that he must own an apartment, rather than the whole building when he pulls into the spot, which has a large 'PH' on it.

We walk through the garage and into the lift - there are four floors, and Jono is at the top - it doesn't take long before I hear a ding and the doors open so that we immediately enter Jono's space. It is not at all how I imagined Jono's home to look like - the furniture is stark and impractical - the space is modern and seems at odds with the building's age and his character.

"I can see what you're thinking, Ace. Charlotte redecorated it last year...And now you know why I'm always at yours." he smiles and grabs hold of my hand. "There's one bit that is mine." he says and drags me through to a door off the main living area.

"Charlotte called this my 'man cave' - it's the only place I wouldn't let her touch," Jono tells me as he opens the door. The dark red walls are warm and inviting and the shelves display trophies and photos from Jono's racing career. I run my hand along the antique leather topped desk before sitting on a small chesterfield sofa and staring up at the picture opposite.

The image takes my breath away. I have seen versions of it before, but I don't think I've ever seen this one. The image is of Jono's first driver's championship win. He is in Parc Ferme, his car is in the background tucked behind the 1 sign, and he is reaching across the barrier to Joe and his team - the pair embrace as the team surrounds them - their faces all showing the excitement and happiness of the moment, along with arms reaching out towards Jono in celebration. This picture has something else - the angle of the shot also captures a slightly bewildered 18 year old who had returned from her gap year and had been invited to join the race that weekend by her uncle. I see the younger version of myself - the version which wasn't burdened by Joe's illness, with brightness in my eyes I had thought was long lost. I stare at it for longer than I realise, before Jono sits next to me.

"I didn't notice you were in this picture at first. It was only when you started at Bianchi this season, and I saw more of you that I realised - maybe that's why I was drawn to this image above all of the others..." Jono says and he holds my hand tightly. "Annie, I don't know what's going to happen now - with my career, with Bianchi, but I want you by my side. I need you by my side"