Twists and Turns in Monte Carlo: A Formula 1 Affair

{9.1}

She pressed her face into his black mouth. "You are and will probably remain the only man in my life who understands me, Bear." The big black horse snorted and Joanne patted him lovingly.

Then she turned around to face Mel, who sat on the side, dressed to impressed. Her hair in beautiful goddess braids, her dark skin shimmery in the sun, her grey dress making her look like a million dollars.

"Remind me, why am I here again?" Joanne sight.

Mel smiled at her friend. "I am here because you need emotional support and I like those bougie ass activities. A horse race for charity is my coup of tea." She looked at her nails. "You are here because you promised your grandmother to participate for them and to show her that you are doing fine. After I saw how drunk you were at the pre party yesterday, I am a little surprised you are able to walk today."

"Morning drink fixed everything." Joanne leads Bear out of the box and ties him up. He was the only one who was not brought outside for the spectators to see.

"That thing still scares me a bit." Mel pointed at Bear.

"That thing is a horse and is not dangerous at all." 

Mel just raised suspiciously an eyebrow, watching Joanne get everything ready for the race.

"Let's mingle a bit and have a snack before all of this starts, okay? I do not want you to fall off his back cause you forgot to eat, Kenny."

"You sound like my grandmother, okay let's go." Joanne, already in her touring clothes, raked in with her friend and together they went to the nearest buffet.

<3

Jackie Kennedy was in a bit of a hurry the whole day. She tried to greet all her friends and talk to them and she tries to have an eye at her granddaughter the whole time. 

"Eloise, have you seen Joanne around?", she intercepted her granddaughter as she walked past. She just shook her head and hurried on, hoping her grandmother hadn't seen the drink in her hand.

"Anyway", Jackie continued, correcting the placement of her head, "I think this is an amazing possibility. You have to talk to her, my granddaughter, women's issues are always top of her list and I think she would gladly invest into the F1 Academy, Mrs. Wolff. It's still Mrs. Wolff isn't it?"

Susie smiled, shaking her head. "Yes I decided to keep the name, due to Jack. He is here somewhere as well. He was not so fond of the idea of coming here but his siblings and Stefanie are here as well so he eventually came around. Especially because Lewis is here too."

Jackie eagerly shook her head. "Oh children. I remember when mine were little, now my grandchildren are all adults except Eloise. But", she smiled from ear to ear, "I became a great-grandmother only a month ago. I love having something small around. Children make everything so bright." 

Jack, followed by Toto came up to them hugging his mother's legs. "Can I see the horses. Papa said I need to ask you." Susie stroked her son's head. "You have to ask Mrs. Kennedy-Oscrop here." Jackie glanced a second at Toto, who quickly avoided her gaze and walked on. "Of course, come with me."

On the way into the barn, they picked up Stephanie and the two teenagers. They spoke to the different riders and Jack was also allowed to sit on one of the horses. Rosa pointed to a horse that was standing quite apart, already groomed and saddled.

"That's Beelzebub." The big black horse apparently sensed that he was being talked about and snorted.

"He belongs to my granddaughter. We bought him back then because he was to be put down after his second owner threw him off at a show and trampled him to death. He's a very strong character, but she's managing somehow. Birds of a feather flock together."

Stephanie nodded. "I've heard about that. First Olympia, the second rider's death."

Jackie nodded mollified. "I won't go near him if I don't have to." Together they looked at Bear, who did indeed look a bit like an underworld creature as he stood there. Pitch black, tall and intimidating. Somehow he reminded her of Joanne. 

"First of all", a female voice behind them made them turn, "his name is Bear. Second of all, what do you expect naming a horse Beelzebub. The fuck?" Joanne came along with Mel at her side, chatting and laughing.  "Second of all", she stepped past them, approached Bear, gave him a belly rub and looked back at them, "he is not dangerous at all."

Mel, next to Jackie just shook her head, sipping on her drink. 

Joanne tried to keep a stern demeanor, trying to break in front of Susie and the woman she saw Toto with at the event. She seems a bit older, looks like he finally got his issues in line. "Joanne Francesca Kennedy, by the way." She quickly said before stepping away. Of course they knew her. Susie and Toto had a long chat after Joanne sent him the text. Even Stephanie reached out to Toto after she heard the gossip, yet nothing ever reached the news. Thank God.

Mel was about to follow Joanne, but Jackie stopped her. "Is she okay, Melika?" The top model gives her a warm smile. "She's slightly drunk. Everything's normal so far." 

She walked past Bear, giving him a suspicious look then found Joanne sitting in the stall-box mouthing are they already gone? Mel shook her head. "Okay, can you make sure no one comes in here I need a few minutes." 

"Sure, Kenny. I'll go grab you a drink, cause you look like you need one."

"Make it two please."