Are You Fast Enough? (F1:MV)

Chapter 12

The car had now reached the Belgian suburbs, and when Max and Cara looked out the window, they could see wider roads and larger houses, each with its own garage and driveway. The houses were all painted in light colours, from a faint grey to a bright yellow. As the sun set over distant buildings, Jos pulled into the driveway of a large, detached cream house, with an oak balcony on the first and second floors. The Windows were protected by small swinging panels, filtering light gently through the grooves. They all got out the car as Jos walked up the steps to the front door, ringing the doorbell to alert Max's mum, Sophie. Sophie opened the door and Max ran forward to hug her.
'Moeder! I missed you!' He called as his mum held him.
'Max, zoon, I missed you too!' She replied as she caught sight of Cara. 'Who's this beautiful young lady?' Cara giggled.
'Mum, this is Cara. She is my... Girlfriend.' Max replied, as Cara blushed.
'Pleased to meet you, Ms Kumpen-'
'Oh call me Sophie, dear, you'll be like a second daughter to me. Come inside,' she said, gesturing to the hallway. After settling down in the living room, Max introduced Cara to his sister, Victoria. Jos and Sophie had both gone to the kitchen, so it was only the young ones in the living room.
'Hi, I'm Victoria, Max's sister.'
'I'm Cara.'
'So...how long has this been going on?' She teased. Max turned away.
'Um.. Well I guess it got serious in Hungary..?' Max replied, awkwardly looking at Cara for a reaction.
'Ooh, what do you mean serious?' Victoria squealed, giggling. Max sighed.
'None of your business, sis.'
'Did she know who you were before you met?'
'Um...'
'Yes. I did.' Cara Interrupted. 'Not that that matters.'
'But then you're just using him for money!'
'Vicki! Don't say that! It's not true!' Max shouted, outraged by his sister. 'It's not true, is it Cara.'
'No.' Cara replied. 'In fact he's probably using me for money.' She laughed.
'Well then..' Victoria paused. 'How about fame? I bet you've got all the journalists all over you at the moment..'
Cara sighed. 'Excuse me, I need to use the bathroom.' She murmured.
'It's just down the hall,' Max said as Cara left the room. He turned to his sister. 'What was that about, Vicki? You really hurt Cara, you know that?'
Victoria folded her arms. 'She's fine.'
'How could you say these things? This isn't my sister. Who is this girl?' She rolled her eyes.
'Look, Max, I don't think you get it. She's a fan, she's probably using you for something. I don't think she actually likes you.'
'Sis, you don't know her! She's incredibly kind and supportive, and I wouldn't be able to have driven so well without her-'
'Yes you would have! What has she been saying to you?'
'She just-' Max hesitated. 'She helps me a lot, I get nervous easily and she calms me down, and I do well. She really believes in me, Vicki.'
'Right. And what about her? What do you know about her, what's her last name?'
'I know that! It's Volpe. And I know she's Italian and she's 19 years old, travelling Europe to see the races.'
'Okay, but where are her parents in all this? Has she ever mentioned them?'
'No--'
'How does she have so much money? She's wearing a designer watch!'
'I don't know, maybe she has rich parents.'
'Max, you should really be careful-'
Victoria stopped as Cara returned to the room, passively, acting as if she heard nothing they'd said. She sat down next to Max who kissed her cheek. Victoria made a gagging sound. Just then, there was a call from the kitchen.
'Max!' Sophie shouted. 'Come help, I need an extra pair of hands over here!'
'Okay Moeder!' He replied, before shuffling out the room. Cara and Victoria were left alone.
'So, I've heard you've been giving my brother some racing pointers.'
'Yes, a few.'
'Like what?'
'To be confident, mainly. And just a few things here and there about the track, and pushing limits.'
'Huh. So do you kart?'
'No, I can't even drive!' Cara laughed. Victoria looked surprised.
'Really? You look like someone who would kart. And be very good at it. Do you do any other sports?'
Cara shrugged. 'Not really-'
'Then how can you give such advice to my brother?'
'It's general advice, and it's very much inspired by Senna-'
'Dinners ready!' Max called from the doorway, interrupting Cara. 'Come into the dining room, girls!'
All the whole family gathered and seated themselves at the table, and Max helped to plate up roast beef and vegetables for Cara and Victoria. As they tucked into the dinner, Jos asked Max about the race, and his plans for Monza.
'Well Monza is a great track, but very dangerous. I'll probably need to focus more on tyre strategy then.'
'Ah, but it is still high speed,' Jos replied.
'He'll just focus on the corners, that will make it safer,' Cara chimed in. Victoria glared at her.
'Your girlfriend is right, Max. You can still be fast at Monza if you get those corners right.'
Max smiled. 'She is always right,' he joked. Victoria slammed her fork down. 'That's it, enough! Am I the only person who can see she's lying?'
'Vicki, sit down, you're acting like a lunatic.' Max whispered.
'No, I will not! I can't listen to her anymore!'
'Vicki-'
Victoria stormed out the room and stomped up the stairs without saying another word. The whole room was dead silent. Cara stood up.
'I better go now, it's getting late. I can get the bus--'
'It's fine, I can drive you!' Max said, also standing up. 'Dad, can I take your car?'
Jos sighed. 'Okay fine, but just this once. Watch out for the police.'
They both got ready to leave, and Sophie went up to Cara and hugged her.
'I'm so sorry child, I don't know what's wrong with Victoria..'
'It's fine, she's probably just having a bad day.' Cara replied, clearing her throat. Max put on his coat and went out to the car, while Cara followed behind him. She took the shotgun seat and Max was ready to drive her to the hotel. He put the address in the GPS, and pulled out of the driveway. They drove off under the starry night sky, with the sound of crickets humming in the distance as they followed the empty road.