Connected (F1 Story)

Chapter Thirty Four: NO!

I wasn't aware of the awaiting photographers and I wasn't aware that the photos, of me, looking worse for wear, were being taken. I certainly wasn't aware that the Mexican and British press (to name only two countries) would run a story that I was Lewis' new bit on the side and publish it all before I had woken up.

Bravo to the Mail; their editors had been busy.  What a splendid job by Motorsport.com, their images were spectacular. And I had to hand it to Heat- I was now an international business woman. I could practically feel the power (or the distinct lack of it).

Perhaps the only thing in my favour was that I had been wearing one of Nico's caps, which they'd all wrongly labelled as Hamilton's. This had made my face unrecognisable. Daniel had recognised it though, of course he had.

And fair play to him too, the story was written convincingly. The timings fitted and photos from social media coincided with it all too.

From our point of view it was an innocent evening with some animals, but to the press and the whole of Facebook and Twitter, it was Lewis and his new 'girlfriend' spending some time together. She'd watched the race, too, an insider added.

One by one I read the articles and felt myself sinking into my chair more. I could only take it for so long before I dialled Daniel.

I got his answerphone.

So, thinking I was doing the right thing to clear this little misunderstanding up, I explained what had happened and asked him to call me back. For the third time.

In the meantime, I enlisted Lewis' personal PR team to help me sort this shit out.

Clearly, I was not having sex with Lewis Hamilton. I'd just fallen asleep in his hotel suite.

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I woke up with a stress headache and a horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach. I knew then that something wasn't quite right.

Letting myself wake up a bit, I rolled over and kicked my shoe off the end of the bed. That explained the numb foot, then. Loved the slow burn of pins and needles in the morning. You absolutely could not beat it.

Slowly, I sat up and managed a grin thinking about little Benji. He was cute, and unfortunately hadn't been in my handbag after all. I really did think hard about trying to sneak him out but the grownup (and sensible) part of Saskia decided against it.

Daniel would have liked him.

I rolled over further to check the time on my watch. Half past ten- not bad. I had three hours before I needed to be at the airport. Plenty of time to pack and wake myself up.

And a nice, long, steamy shower. Fuck it, I was going to treat myself and double condition my hair. And shave and moisturise for Daniel.

Ja, he will be one lucky guy later on.

If my time of the month holds off. *says a silent prayer*

I kicked off the covers and inspected my legs. Yeah, they did need doing. I don't suppose they'd even be acceptable on the continent. Bad, man.

Deciding I had better thank Lewis for his hospitality, and check everything was okay, I grabbed my trusty iPhone and my eyes widened in horror.

Eight missed calls from Daniel, three messages from Lizzie and a missed call from her too. Fuck.

I had several voice mails too.

A wave of fear crept over me as dozens of scenarios began rushing around my head. What if this, what if that.