Racing For Love

Chapter Eighty One

Austin was a completely different experience to the tranquillity of Silver Creek Ranch. Whilst Jono had left after a day, I stayed a little longer before I travelled together with Sylvie and Pete into the city ahead of race weekend. This gave Jono the time to focus on training whilst I soaked up time with the pair. They both refused to let me help more than the bare minimum during my time with them - treating me like an absolute princess, which I had to admit, was quite a nice feeling.

I had gone on a couple more rides with Sylvie - Smoky had become my favourite of all the horses, and before I left, I made sure to take him out a carrot as a treat, telling him I would most definitely be back for another ride before long. The pair also helped with the numbers behind The Stephens Foundation - whilst there was a fund set up for it, Pete advised on investments I could make in order for the foundation fund to grow. This was all so helpful for me - I didn't know the best ways to go about all of this just yet and was still trying to work out just how I was going to manage all of this. We discussed my options with the property portfolio too - getting another opinion on what to do added to my confusion however when Pete gave me different options to those of Mr Bingham.

Late one night after perhaps a couple too many glasses of wine, I blurted out to Sylvie the argument I had with Kate and she listened and comforted me as the tears spilled. I had been trying to block out just how painful it was to have lost such a close friend, and someone who was so important to me. Sylvie in her typical, no-nonsense style subsequently helped me to compose a message - finally doing the right thing and apologising for the way that I had and the unacceptable way I had treated someone who was so special to me. Having someone else to guide me helped when it came to pressing the all important send button but I still hadn't received a reply, and each time I thought about it, my stomach tensed with nerves. Kate had become such an important person in my life, and maybe I had ruined it forever?

I was reunited with Jono on Thursday evening - he appeared at the restaurant where I was having dinner with Sylvie and Pete - a Texas BBQ place, which they both loved. He had finished training early to join us, and though he seemed like his normal chatty self to the older couple, I could see he was tense about something.

Jono took a sip of his drink before he began to speak, his tone serious. "So, this weekend is going to be a big one. We were told today that some of the potential investors are guests this weekend, but nobody knows who they are or what day they are coming."

"This must be what chefs feel like when critics come," I said to Jono, reaching to squeeze his hand in reassurance. "You've got nothing to worry about, just focus on the race and everything else will fall into place."

"I know, but after what happened in Sakura, there's a lot of pressure on Lorenzo and I. Plus, I'm only three points clear of him in the driver's championship - any points I can get this weekend will help with that, but I know he'll be thinking the same."

Jono smiled, but I knew he was anxious because it didn't reach to his eyes. We continued to eat with a light chatter, but it all seemed superficial in comparison to the news Jono had shared.

We said goodbye to the pair after dinner - they were staying at a different hotel to Jono and I. We would see them the next day for the free practice sessions - Pete being a big fan was very excited to soak up as much of the weekend atmosphere as he could. I gave them both another hug and thanked them for the hundredth time for their hospitality, which of course they brushed off before hopping into a taxi and speeding away.

Jono and I did the same - there were already crowds forming around us of fans who had just spotted a driver, and were desperate to get photos. In the safety of the car, I snuggled close to Jono who had wrapped his arm around my shoulder. The hotel was going to be even more chaos and we both needed to prepare for this, but for now it was just us.