Private life | Lando Norris

34 - Build up

It was hectic. 

Race week in Monaco and you could feel it. The air was electric and everything just felt alive. You could hear engines and boats coming into the harbour, wanting to get a good view. The track was set up. You couldn't walk two feet without running into a person, which in Monaco (a small quiet village most of the time) was rare. I loved race week. Meeting all sorts of interesting people coming into the cafe was the highlight of my weekend. 

But I wasn't doing that this weekend. Imogen had freaked when I told her I was going to the very own Monaco Ferrari garage. The best one to be at in at this historical GP. Charles was quite happy with me coming along, when normally that would be the opposite. 

Now, i'm standing in the back of a garage, watching the many people flock around both Charles's and Carlos's cars. Rebecca is standing next to me, talking about something I have no clue about to Ginny.

"Jen! I have not seen you in ages!" A voice calls out to me and I turn to see the youngest Leclerc striding over to me, a girl following behind. Arthur is the best. When we get together it's just terrible for Charles. The pranks and insults we come up with have been the bane of his existence. Ginny never joins in. 

"Oh, my, Lord, look who the cat dragged in." He laughs and hug me tightly. Of course I hug him back, not having seen him in what feels like forever.  We're the same age and but have always acted like 5 year olds when put together. "Arthur! It totally slipped my mind that you would be here!" I pull back and give him a huge smile. 

"Um, you forgot about me?" He gives me a sad fake frown and I hit him lightly on the top of his arm. "Ow! Ginny, save me!" He cowers behind Ginny and she rolls her eyes. She's smiling though and Rebecca takes a step back and starts talking to the girl I haven't seen before. 

"Hey Arthur, how are you?" Ginny asks and he shrugs. I hear shouting behind me and I turn around just to see a British Mclaren driver stroll past. 

"I'm okay, is Charles around? Some person just asked for him and forgot who did." He giggles at his mistake and Ginny reply with something. Lando's walking very slowly, a cameraman tracking his every action. His hands move in front of him, clapping and swirling. 

"Okay! Thank you Ginny, you are a life saver." I shake my head slightly as Lando disappears and turn back to Arthur. "So, Jen, how did you get here?" He poses, leaning on the bar and putting a hand on his hip, trying to figure me out. 

"Well Arthur, Charles has forced me and Ginny has begged me so here I am." Ginny moves away from me and closer to the mystery girl. I look down to my bracelets and move my hand, making them clink together. 

"Ah, Charles is a bad guy." Arthur declares and sighs, pretending to be disappointed. 

I sigh as well, playing a part, but I don't know what. "He is, he is." 

"Anyway, I have to see what that person wanted, sooo," he hold out his arms and I step into them. "Very nice to see you." He states and I nod. 

"You too Arthur." Arthur turns and touches the girls waist, saying something I can't hear, before disappearing the way he came. The girl stays, still in a conversation with the two Ferrari girls. 

I pivot back to the front of the garage, watching the cars being put back together. I see Carlos talking his race engineer, smiling and joking. Carlos is always lovely. Whenever I've talked to him, he always makes it worth while by either cracking a joke or telling a terribly embarrassing story of Charles.

"Jen!" My name is being called and I try to hear where it's coming from. A hand grabs my shoulder and I turn to see Ginny smiling at me. "Jen, come meet Jade." The small blond girl, with eyelashes for days smiles sweetly at me.