Free Now- Lando Norris

15. Running To You

The sun was just starting to come up as Lando knocked on the front door at Flo's house, still in the same clothes he'd gone to the club in Ibiza in the night before. Someone was awake at least, he could see the kitchen light was on.

It took a second quiet knock a minute later before the door opened, revealing his sister looking incredibly confused.

"Lando?" Flo frowned, mug of coffee in hand and looking like she'd only just got out of bed. "What are you doing here?"

"I uh..." he came up empty on how to explain that a few hours ago he'd been in a club in Ibiza and now he was standing on her doorstep. Thankfully, his sister did at least move to the side to let him in, although she was looking at him like she was trying to work out if he'd completely lost the plot.

"Jesus you stink of booze." Flo turned her nose up at the smell as he walked past her. "Where did you come from? You didn't drive here did you?" She looked around at the empty driveway, relieved not to spot a car that he could have driven in at least.

"No." He shook his head. "Got a taxi from the airport."

The taxi driver had recognised him instantly, and had been apparently unable to recognise that Lando was entirely uninterested in the conversation he was trying to have with him about every mistake he'd make the previous season and how it had cost him the drivers championship. At one point Lando had been about ready to tell him to just drop him off so he could walk the rest of the way. It would be preferable to having to listen to any more of it.

As she shut the front door behind her Flo waved at him to follow her through to the kitchen, pouring another mug of coffee and handing it to him.

"Thanks." Lando mumbled, taking the mug from her. The exhaustion was really starting to catch up with him now. He probably hadn't slept for more than a few hours all week, although not for a lack of trying, and he was suddenly dead on his feet.

"I know you're probably going to tell me to shut up, but are you sure you're okay?" Flo asked quietly. "Because whatever it is, you can tell me and I promise I won't tell mum. We're all just worried about you."

She looked at him expectantly, wondering if he realised what a mess he actually looked. His eyes were red and bloodshot, ringed by dark circles. He looked like he might fall asleep as he stood there leaning against her kitchen counter, hugging his steaming mug of coffee.

"No." He answered so quietly Flo was wondering if she had actually heard him right. "I don't think I am."

The answer threw Flo off, he could see the wide eyed look on her face as she searched for the words to say. Then before he could register what was happening, she'd put her coffee down on the counter and engulfed him in a hug.

"God you stink." She laughed, but she didn't let go of him. "I know I take the piss and moan all the time, but really you can tell me these things. Mum and Dad have been so worried about you." She sighed as she eventually released him.

"I'm sorry?" Lando offered.

"I don't need you to say sorry, just stop hiding from us all." Flo shook her head at him. She glanced at her watch quickly. "I've gotta go, but we are going to finish this conversation later. Lottie's upstairs, I assume she's the real reason that you're here."

"I uh..." Lando could feel himself blushing as Flo gave him a knowing look, downing the rest of her coffee and putting the mug in the sink.

"We're going to talk about that later as well." Flo told him firmly. "I'll be back about five ish. Don't run away before then."

"Don't tell mum and dad I'm here?" Lando bargained.

"Yeah, yeah... okay." Flo agreed, already heading for the door. "As long as you promise not to do a runner."