Page 20 of Falling Fast
A few days on from the accident in Barcelona, there must be mixed feelings at Rask HQ this week. Although their upgrades seem to be working – with Corey Hammond bringing home eight points for the team – it’s hard to imagine Leif Olsen feeling anything other than despondent right now.
@MotorsportEchoNews, 4 June
SEVEN
‘HAVE YOU HEARD OF Ashley Hart?’ Yuto calls across the office.
‘No.’ I look up from ticking items off my to-do list. I write a new one when I arrive at work every morning and today’s is almost a full page long. ‘Wait, yes. She’s an actress, isn’t she?’
‘And a huge F1 fan. Leif’s manager says her people have been in touch, wanting to set up a date.’
‘With Leif?’ I stifle a laugh because I can’t even imagine how awkward that would be.
‘It’s some kind of promotional thing for her new film. Like if they can be photographed together, they’ll both get more exposure or something. The chances of Leif agreeing to it are probably a billion to one, but I guess we should still ask.’ Yuto lifts his eyes to the ceiling. ‘I just can’t believe anyone would be stupid enough to fall for some fake relationship photo-op.’
‘Mmm.’ I make a noncommittal sound because that’s exactly the way Gio and Maisie started. Not that I’m about to say so out loud. Another thing I’ve learned about Yuto is how much he loves to gossip.
‘I can ask Leif, if you like?’ I offer, pushing my chair back. ‘I need to speak to him today anyway, find out if he’s had second thoughts about social media yet.’
‘And I thoughtmyquestion was hopeless.’ Yuto gives a bark of laughter. ‘He’s in the factory, but I’d save my energy if I were you.’
‘I can’t.’ I reach for my phone and iPad. ‘But don’t worry, I have a strategy. I’m just going to annoy him until he gives in.’
‘You evil genius, you.’ Yuto is still laughing. ‘In that case, yes, please, and good luck.’
‘Thanks!’ I stifle my trepidation and march determinedly downstairs to the factory. Given Leif’s DNF result in Spain, I’ve waited two days before approaching him, but I can’t put this conversation off any longer, no matter how much I might want to. Fortunately, I’ve had another stern word with myself and I’m now 100 per cent confident in my ability to stay in control of my emotions and not get distracted by eyelashes or biceps or any other physical features,orangry at slights to my job. I’m going to be focused and professional because Leif needs to be online and it’s my job to make that happen. I’ve brainstormed a long list of persuasive arguments – they’re all ready to be reviewed on my iPad – and I’m prepared for a long campaign. I’ll pester him all summer if I have to.
For both our sakes, I really hope I don’t have to.
Despite Yuto’s scepticism, I’m actually cautiously optimistic because Leif already recorded the video interview I asked for, even though I said it could wait until he got back to HQ. Emika filmed it in Barcelona last Friday and we published it the night before the race. He answered nearly all of the questions too, including what hair product he uses (Hanz de Fuko Quicksand), his favourite food (kjøttkaker), and whatsubject he wishes people would ask him about in interviews but they never do (the collected works of George R. R. Martin). To be honest, it got a bigger response than I’d expected. After what happened on the track in Spain, a lot of people now seem to be rooting for him. They’ve even started using the hashtag #arcticfox when posting about him.
‘Hi.’ I push open the door to the factory and peer inside. ‘Can I come in?’
‘Hey.’ A guy with cropped blonde hair and a large handlebar moustache beckons me over to where a group of about twenty mechanics are gathered round a car. ‘The more, the merrier. What can we do for you?’
‘I’m looking for Leif.’
‘Machine shop.’ He jerks his thumb to the left.
‘Thanks.’ I watch as the mechanics start removing and replacing tyres. They’re so fast, their movements are practically a blur. ‘Are you doing pit-stop practice?’
‘Yep.’ He holds up a timer and grins. ‘You think drivers are competitive? They’ve got nothing on these guys.’
‘I can see that.’ I give him a sympathetic look. ‘How are you all doing, after what happened to Leif’s car last weekend?’
‘Well, it sucked, obviously.’ He makes a face. ‘But at least Corey got points, and we know we’re on the right track with the upgrades. So, on to the next race.’
‘That’s a great attitude.’ I glance back at the mechanics. ‘Hey, do you mind if I film this? It would be great for our socials.’
‘Why not?’ He raises his voice. ‘Hey, guys, no more swearing. This one’s being filmed.’
‘And would you mind introducing it? Just say who you are and explain to the viewer what’s going on.’
‘Hell, yes!’ He flexes his hands. ‘I was born for this moment.’
‘Ready when you are.’ I hold my phone up.
‘All right, folks! I’m Logan, aka the Lollipop Guy, and this is the Rask factory where we’re busy practising our pit-stop times. The challenge is to replace all the tyres without getting in each other’s way or dropping anything. Under two seconds and we all get a bonus. Anything over two and a half is bad news. So, on your marks, get set, go!’
