Page 38 of Falling Fast
@MotorsportsEchoNews, 24 June
TWELVE
EMIKA AND I GET Monday off work, so we don’t see the rest of the team’s reaction to our success until Tuesday, but the moment we set foot back in HQ it’s obvious the whole mood at Rask Racing has shifted. The atmosphere in the factory is buoyant and everyone is smiling and positive, more upbeat than I’ve ever seen them before. Those sixteen points make all the difference and we get to bask in the reflected glory.
Part of me feels guilty about all the attention. Even though my almost-fainting incident wasn’t my fault, I still feel like I let the team down. If it hadn’t been for Leif, I would probably have collapsed live on television. It could have made headlines – Jasper Ramirez might have seen! Thankfully, after an epic sleep yesterday, I feel almost back to normal again.
‘Look at this.’ Vienna comes out of her office around midday, brandishing a newspaper. ‘“Rask in Return to Form”!’
‘Really?’ I leap up from my chair as she spreads it out over Emika’s desk. The fact that we’re still making headlines two days after the race is definitely a good sign.
‘“After a rocky start to the season, it seems like things are finally turning round for the beleaguered F1 team. With afew new upgrades, Rask is showing detractors how well the company can manage without Philip Sawyer.”’ She beams triumphantly. ‘Good job, everyone.’
‘We should follow it up,’ I say. ‘I’ll call their sports editor.’
‘Print media?’ Charlotte looks appalled.
‘Yes, print publicity. Some of us Generation Xers still use it.’ Vienna lifts her eyes to the ceiling. ‘But there are stories like this online too. Our socials have got more interaction in the past two days than they have all season. It proves our strategy is working. People are starting to support us again.’ She darts back into her office and then re-emerges with a large plate of cupcakes, decorated with red, blue and yellow-striped icing. ‘That’s why I got catering to bake these –’
‘Ooh!’ Emika jumps up enthusiastically.
‘They’re giving them out in the canteen so I swiped a few for us.’
‘What’s the matter?’ I’m about to take a bite when I see Charlotte’s crestfallen expression.
‘Nothing. It’s just … my wedding dress.’
‘You’re not getting married until January.’ Emika thrusts a cupcake at her. ‘Come on, it’s a celebration. One little cake isn’t going to burst any stitches.’
‘OK, just one.’ Charlotte take a bite and then closes her eyes with a groan. ‘I’ve missed cake so much.’
‘What about you?’ Vienna pushes the plate towards Yuto.
‘I can’t. I’m still scared of food.’ He glances at her face and changes his mind. ‘But maybe I’ll make an exception.’
‘Good. By the way, I have a meeting with that frozen yogurt company at one.’ Vienna turns to me. ‘I want you there too.’
‘Why would a frozen yogurt company want to sponsor an F1 team?’ Charlotte mumbles through a mouthful of cake.
‘It’s a Swedish company. Thanks to Leif, we’re very popular in Scandinavia now.’
‘Fingers crossed it goes well.’ Emika reaches for another cupcake. ‘But personally I’d rather stick with these.’
‘And I have more good news.’ Vienna pauses for effect. ‘I know this first half of the season has been exhausting, but we only have three more races until the summer break. That’s just over a month away. Obviously, we’re not prohibited from working, like the factory, but Bastian promises you’ll all get a few days off. I’ll cover the office, but the rest of you deserve a decent rest.’
‘This day gets better and better.’ Emika grins at Charlotte.
‘I don’t mind covering the office too,’ I say as Vienna props herself on the edge of my desk. ‘Since I only started last month.’
‘You’ve still made a big difference. You’re an asset to the team.’ She smiles. ‘I admit, when Leif first suggested you for the job I was sceptical, but he was right.’
I almost spit out my mouthful of cake. ‘It wasLeifwho gave you my name?’
‘Shit.’ She scrunches her face up. ‘I wasn’t supposed to tell you that.’
‘Why not?’
‘I’ve no idea. He just said not to tell you.’ She shrugs. ‘Though what does it matter really? You’re happy, I’m happy, Leif isprobablyhappy. I mean, who can tell most of the time?’
