The driver, The Girlfriend and Me

Secrets

To go back into FI HQ that day was a massive feat for me. I was tired (well, I'd been up until stupid o'clock on the blog) and wary of Ricky. He seemed overly interested in me. Really creepy like. I just wanted to go to Barcelona testing.

As usual, when I woke up I checked my phone. Nico had text me.

Are you ok? I heard that Ricky spoke to you. Whatever you do, don't get with him or in bed with him. He's trouble. Besides that, are you enjoying it?

Instead of texting back, I called him.

"Hey Sophie"

"Hi Nico"

"So, how is it?"

"A little weird. I never did this in BTCC so to be doing it in mainstream Formula 1 threw me a bit yesterday"

"Ah right. It's understandable. That's why they like you to have experience in other Motorsport. Preferably other formulas but if your CV is good then they'll take you"

"Yeah. I honestly don't want to go in today though"

"Why?"

"Elisha MADE me do the blog last night. I was up until stupid o'clock in the morning doing it"

"And by stupid o'clock in the morning you mean?"

"At least 3am just to finish writing it!"

"Ouch. You poor thing. Remember what I said about Ricky"

"What do you mean by 'he's trouble?'"

"He cheats"

"By doing what?"

"He went out with my ex-PR Bethany. He banged her best friend behind her back, kissed her, pretty much anything you can imagine to cheat in a relationship"

I heard the bed move from Nicos side. I panicked.

His GIRLFRIEND is it Sophie? Aw bless. Are you scared because you think you like him? How sweet. When will you realise he doesn't like you like that?

"Sophie?"

"Yeah, sorry I'm a bit away with it. I've got to go anyway"

"Ok. Have fun today. Text me tonight and tell me how it went"

"I will. Oh! One more thing"

"Yeah"

"I have a surprise for you" I said, digging around for the overfilled envelope.

"Ok! I love surprises"

"This!"

"Oh no. Not more things to sign?!"

"Unfortunately!"

"Oh god"

"Anyway! Goodbye Nico!"

"Bye Sophie"

I put my phone down and looked over at Elisha who was on the laptop.

"Morning" she said.

"Morning"

"When you write the blog it sounds amazing!"

"It does?"

"Yeah! How old are you again?"

"25. Why?"

"I'm 29 and I can't write as good as this! You must have gone to a really posh school"

"I was homeschooled"

"Really?! You wouldn't think it by the quality of this. Anyway we need to get going!"

I threw on t-shirt on and tied my hair into a bun. It really needed cutting. All the ends were splitting. I grabbed my laptop and a few notepads labelled for various things and my handbag. Elisha was driving.

As we arrived, everyone was in some state of panic.

"Woah" I said as we walked in to see people frantically running about.

"This happens a few times every year. We find out the Bernie is coming to have a tour around the 'new and improved factory/HQ' and then realise that it's not new, or improved for that matter, and that we've got an hour to make it look good"

"And you don't learn?"

"Obviously not"

We both laughed at this.

"Girls! You won't be needed today! Vijays orders!" Someone shouted.

"Joe! Come here!" Elisha yelled.

"Yeah?"

"Are you sure?"

"Yep. He left this note for you girls"

To Elisha and Sophie,
For today you will not be needed. There will be to much rush and pressure for you to be able to concentrate enough. Hopefully you will have finished the blog and majority of emails. Take this day as a day off. You won't be needed tomorrow either as we are packing up ready to leave for Barcelona and only need the mechanics. Have a good day.
Vijay.

"Ok then!"

"I hope you've brought your shopping legs Sophie!"

"I'm always ready to shop"

***

After several long hours, we returned to our hotel room.

"How many bags do you have?!" Elisha asked me.

"At least ten or eleven if not more!"

"And I thought I was a heavy shopper!"

"This is why I don't shop often, I spend to much money!"

She smiled and set to pack her suitcase.

***

As I was about to go to sleep, she peered at me and asked me a question.

"What do you think of Nico?"

"What do you mean?"

"Do you fancy him? Is he nice? Do you get on well?"

"We get on pretty well. Sometimes his answers are really blunt and it can make me feel like I've either said something wrong or I've offended him"

"Nico's like that. He may act tough but he's got a heart of gold on the inside"

"Thats cute"

"Do you fancy him then?"

"Excuse me?"

"When I first started working with Checo, I fancied the pants off of him. Literally!"

"And now?"

"It evolved into more of a working relationship"

"Ah right"

"You can tell me. I won't say anything to anyone"

I thought about it for a second.

"Well...there's the chance that I like him...just a little bit..."

"You do don't you!"

"Yeah..."

"Are you excited for Barcelona?"

"Of course but I need to sleep, it's a very long drive home"

"Ok, goodnight"