Connected (F1 Story)

Chapter Forty Nine: Blank

I nursed Dan whilst he was sick and made him drink water like any good person would do. He was tired, fragile and both of us were now curled up on the bed, not wanting to face the outside world until one of us felt more human. Could we last until our flight tomorrow?

I rubbed my eyes and yawned, feeling Dan move next to me. I think there was a groan too.

For some strange reason, I didn't feel like now was the time to tell him what had been going on inside my head. He'd probably be sick again and I didn't want that to happen. Dan HATED being sick. He could deal with man flu no problem, just not throwing up.

"What's the time?" he grumbled, hooking his foot over my ankle.

"Nine," I whispered and with great effort, and rolled over to face him. He laced my fingers with mine and laid our hands between us.

"I'm so pleased we're safe. I mean we aren't exactly in the most accommodating country for drink issues..."

"True," I agreed. "Even if you do look like death." I reached forward and kissed his nose just in case tired Dan couldn't work out that I was only pulling his leg.

"Shhh."

"Okay, I'll be quiet."

"Are you sure you're okay though, no ambulance that needs to be called or anything?" Dan asked once more.

I laughed and felt so lucky that I had someone like Dan sleeping next to me. Well, if it wasn't Dan then there certainly wouldn't be anyone else. Unless Jenson Button did give me a call. I joke now, I really, really do. Pinky promise.

"I'm really hungry!" he suddenly declared and sat up, taking me with him. It scared me and I very nearly cried again with shock. "Shall we go and stuff our faces?"

This man was throwing up minutes ago, hungover and looking like the Ghost of Christmas Past. Now he wanted all the food he could get his rather large hands on. Minus black pubbing; we all knew how he felt about that now he had tried it at my parent's house back in the summer time.

"Promise me you won't be sick over everyone downstairs..." I pleaded, knowing that the moment I had to confess what was going on inside my head had sailed past. It had sailed past as soon as Dan had answered the door, truthfully.

"I am not making any bloody promises. But don't you English say that a fry-up is the best cure for the morning after?"

"I think it's just to use protection," I stifled a giggle as Dan whacked me with a pillow. Well, that told me. "Shall we make ourselves a bit more presentable then?"

"We should deffo do that." Dan stretched out his incredibly long limbs and yawned for good measure. "I can't wait to unwind now. As soon as we are back in Monaco, it's going to feel like we can finally breathe for awhile. We can just hang out and do stupid pointless things..."

"I can't wait," I whispered, my lips rising in the corners to form into a grin. "I mean we've got some shit at the Factory to do before a week off, and then plane to Oz and then a week working again and-"

"Chill, dude!" Dan placed an authoritative feeling hand on my shoulder. "It has all been planned to the letter. We are gonna be absolutely fine. I promise you."

He had promised me.

---

We said goodbye to the sun and dryness of the desert, returning to England the following day. Once landing in London, Daniel had simulator runs to do and I was back in the office, ensuring that things were going to run smoothly in the off-season and making sure the events team were ready to roll in Australia. We were doing a show run at the Perth Festival of Speed and, you guessed it, Danny was going to be the one behind the wheel.

There was a considerably small team of us going. Ten engineers and mechanics in total, including Sam and Simon. Then it was Josh, the head of events, and I...that was it. A teeny tiny group of us compared to the 250 of us that had taken over almost an entire hotel at the final race of the season.

We had hit December now and tomorrow Dan and I were flying back to Monaco for two days. In that time we were called in to babysit young Massa. Paul was meant to do it but, as Lizzie was still in England and Paul had lots of work to do, I had offered to look after Massa Jr. instead. Paul had welcomed me volunteering; he thought that it would be excellent for the, you know, situation which was still a situation. No period still...but at least I had not vomited in what was considered a considerably long while for me. I was proud of myself.

"Hey, Saskia, the schedule for next Tuesday has been emailed across to you, got everyone's tabs on it," the head of events stuck her head around my door and smiled. I got on well with Alice, who had been working in the events industry for over 15 years now. That was double the time I had been working in PR. And she didn't even have a grey hair. I had two and Dan had laughed at me for a good five minutes before I found one in his beard. Lol.

"Brilliant, thanks very much," I replied, popping the lid back on my highlighter. "I'll give it a read through now and ping you back. Dan is due back from his big meeting any minute now so it might have to wait an hour..."

"No worries. He comes first, obviously. Are you writing the press release?"

"No, I am!" Josh shouted from the room outside. Essentially, my new office (Bridget's old one) was inside the marketing office. I had initially wanted to set fire to it but I wanted to be the bigger person. And still have a job.

That's right, after all the uncertain feelings floating around my head, I had a meeting with Adam and we agreed a couple of things. I was now Red Bull's Communications Manager and Head of Trackside Communications, leaving Lizzie to be Head of Communications whilst they found a replacement for Bridget the Bitch. Then, Lizzie would go on maternity leave. If no one was found within that time, then I would step up to a factory-based role for a couple of months. No biggie.

And the other big news was that Daniel's contract was being resigned under Red Bull's 'new' name. Infiniti had officially been dropped and replaced with TAG. That meant that all contracts had to be resigned - a nightmare for the legal and finance team! TAG's arrival meant that social media was going to be used a lot more, meaning an even busier season next year. I felt optimistic though.

"Is he happy about it?" Alice asked.

"He's delighted. It's been a stressful year..."

"Agreed." Alice rolled her eyes before turning to leave. "Do you want a coffee or anything?"

"Heading out for lunch in a bit so I'm good, thanks," I smiled and Alice left. At that moment, a text from Dan came through - nothing more than 5 grinning emojis. Great success.

---

So now, the story changes country again. Three different places in one part - I hope you are all keeping up. We are in Monaco now, packing our bags for our trip to Australia that was going to last almost two months.

Felipinho has been at ours almost all day, eating us out of house and home. Or that could have been Daniel and Paul at times, I am not entirely sure.

There was a knock at the door a couple of seconds previous and I know what that means. Felipe has come to pick up his son.

This is where the story started, if you remember (the very first chapter). And, I am going to tell Daniel what has been going on as soon as Felipinho leaves, providing that he thinks today has gone well. If it hasn't, then it's still about time that I bit the bullet. I have been keeping a secret long enough.

Daniel lets Felipe in as I ensure that Felipinho has all of his belongings, including his light winter jacket. Felipe is tired and thankfully wants to get back home. Felipinho gives me a hug and thanks me. We say goodbye and I run and get the Massa's Christmas card and presents. Felipe has handed Daniel a bag with ours in.

I then give Felipe a hug and a kiss on the cheek after a bit more conversation. We wish each other a safe flight. And then, waving, they go.

Daniel shuts the door, absolutely exhausted. I am tired too.

It was only 8 but we had several flights mid-afternoon onwards tomorrow.

"Bed?" Daniel asks and I knew that now was the time to tell him. 

HEY GUYS XXX