Secrets

Eight Weeks Ago...

Welcome! We begin the next part of Victoria's journey with a flash back to eight weeks ago (hence the title) when she had just boarded her plane back to sunny old England...

I had just gotten comfy in my allocated seat, when the airhostess who took custody of my flowers for the journey appeared at the end of my row. "Excuse me miss?" she said softly, I looked over to her and smiled, "this fell out of your bouquet, I thought you might want to keep hold of it" she said, passing me something small and fluffy. "Oh thank you" I smiled, taking whatever it was in her hand. She nodded and disappeared off again.

Looking down at what was sitting in my hands, I smiled, it was a tiny fluffy little tortoise. It had bright green legs and head, with an orange shell and a very happy expression on its face. There was a little tag attached to its back foot, which I opened up to read;

It might not be a Hulk, but it's tough and green! I hope it keeps you safe while I am not with you,
Nico x

I fought back a tear as I read the note over and over again, squeezing the little fluffy tortoise in my hands, thinking of Nico. This really was going to be a long 8 weeks.

......................

After landing safely back home in England, I was sitting in my new hotel room in the middle of London, watching a top gear repeat, resting up. The rain beat hard on the floor to ceiling window and I sighed, how much of a change it was from yesterday in Italy.

I looked over to my little tortoise that I had named Nico, naturally, and grabbed my phone. I'd messaged Laura to tell her I had got home safe and Nico too, so I turned my attention to twitter. I logged onto the app and scanned through my news feed;

@NicoHulkenberg:

Without my new favourite person. #allalone #missyou

And he'd taken a selfie at the dinner last night, of him pouting sitting next to an empty chair. I giggled. So, grabbing tortoise Nico, I accessed my camera and took a couple of selfies. As I was pretty critical of my looks, it took me a little while to find one I was happy with, but when I did, I tagged it;

@swiss_roll22:

The next best thing. #allalone #missyoutoo

And the photo I posted was of my head squished up against the tortoises. If Nico saw it I knew he'd know it was for him, especially as I pinched his hash tag's.

...................

Around an hour later, I was almost falling asleep when my phone tweeted. I jumped out of my daze and grabbed it, seeing Nico had favourited my tweet from earlier.

Cute. X

I smiled at the simple reply, but then my phone began vibrating in my hand, and my ring tone started blaring out. I smiled

"Hi"
"Hello" his voice smiled at me
"How are you?" I asked him, "very good, how are you?"
"Tired" I giggled, then hearing him chuckle, "is your furry friend keeping you company?" he asked, I imagined that boyish smile on his face as we talked. "Indeed, he's pretty snugly" I laughed, "I hope he isn't going to replace me" he smiled down the phone, my stomach twirled. "Maybe..." I teased. "Damn..." he sighed, making me giggle more.

We talked a little about what I was doing and how long I was working for, and where he was, and what plans he had for the following two weeks, running up to the race in Singapore but then things went a little quiet, "I miss you" he said softly, making me sigh. "Do you?"
"Is it okay that do?" he asked me, sounding a little nervous. I smiled, "definitely, cause I miss you too" I admitted to him, I heard him breathe down the phone, maybe a little sigh of relief. "I wish I was there to kiss you" he said, I couldn't help the grin that spread across my face. "Hmm, me too" I sighed, closing my eyes, imagining it. "You better be prepared for when I next see you" I giggled, knowing I was going to jump on him. "Man eater...." He teased, making me gasp, but giggle loudly. "Damn right. And I got you in my sights Hulkenberg" I laughed, making him chuckle. "Looking forward to it beautiful" he replied, making my tummy roll again. "So for how long will you be in the paddock?" he asked, referring to the next race I'm going to. "I'm not sure" I hummed, "I should be getting the info pack from Jessica in a week of two, and then I'll know what's happening, I know I'm definitely in town for the week, but in the paddock I'm not sure" I told him. "well it can be arranged for the whole week" he replied. "if you want it to be?"

We talked for a little longer until I started yawning every couple of minutes. "Go to sleep Victoria" he told me, just the way he said my name made my insides tremble. "I'm okay" I said, mid-yawn. He laughed, "You're tired, you need to rest, I will call you tomorrow" he reassured me. I sighed, "Okay" reluctantly admitting defeat. "Sleep well my lady" he said to me. I smiled, wanting to squeal with excitement. "You too" I replied, stifling another yawn. "Talk to you tomorrow" I added. "Goodnight beautiful" he almost whispered.