Different Lanes

5.

Charlie let out a deep breath as she crossed the threshold of the small pub, The Queens Head in Chackmore. It was a quiet Tuesday night with only a few loyal punters at the bar drowning their sorrows from the day. The light from a struggling fire danced over the exposed brick walls and timber floors occasionally highlighting a figure in the corner, his identity thinly concealed by a pair of designer sunglasses and a custom hoodie who's price could have easily paid for a few months of her rent.

"Lewis" she smiled sitting down and helping herself to the pint of beer in front of her. "You shouldn't have!"

"Well it's a special occasion", he clinked her glass with his, "to your return King!"

She chuckled, "what return? I was never there to begin with, how can I return. I'm not Kimi"

Lewis watched her take another sip, "Well you know how to drink like him for one"

"Hey!" She warned.

"It's a compliment", he paused, "and you don't seem that different from him in a car"

"Whats that's supposed to mean?"

"The way you understand how to get the best out of any car".

Charlie shook her head, "Today? I hope so! I've been working on this car for the better part of three years".

"Charlie", Lewis warned, "Stop deflecting. I'm saying you're good. Well, I've been saying it for ages, but today you really showed it".

Charlie didn't know how reply, "Thanks......" she muttered.

Lewis was quiet for a moment, the look of contemplation on his face.

"Lewis, whats wrong?"

"Promise me you won't yell at me?" he looked at her.

Charlie narrowed her eyes, "what is it?"

"Promise"

"....Fine"

"I may have told Toto", he braced for impact.

"Told him exactly....?"

"Your time today....."

Charlie could feel her phone vibrate through her pocket. Toto W Calling... "Lewis!" She looked down at her phone before grabbing her jacket. "I'm going to need to take this".

Once outside Charlie picked up the phone, "Hello Toto".

"Charlie!" he exclaimed over the phone, "how are you? I heard today went really well!"

She hesitated for a moment, "yeah. I think we got some really good feedback on the car that we're confident we can implement before Silverstone next week"

"Good good" he paused, "I also heard you managed to put in a very good lap"

"Beginners Luck Toto", she tried to laugh it off.

"Still" Toto replied, "very impressive"

"Thanks Toto"

"I was wondering if maybe we can get you and George into the simulator tomorrow, maybe with Kimi as well"

Charlie was a little confused. "Simulator?"

"Yeah, it would be good to share your insights on the track. You did record a great time after all. It would be good to get you to share with the boys"

But not Lewis. "Ah, I'm not sure if I can do tomorrow. We've got the upgrades to get moving on" Charlie couldn't help but feel uncomfortable.

"I'm sure we can find a window of time Charlie", he was asking, but it didn't really feel like that.