Page 81 of Falling Fast
Soon, I tell myself. I’ll wait until the cameras have gone and then I’ll go and explain – and hopefully fix – everything.
AN HOUR LATER, I stretch my back, slip my laptop into my bag and throw one last look around the office to make sure nobody’s left anything. It’s incredible how fast motorhomes are packed up after a race, ready for shipping on to the next Grand Prix. If I don’t hurry, they’ll be taking the walls down around me.
‘I think that’s everything,’ I say, checking my phone one last time. Race reports are sent, press releases are written, social media is all up to date – for half an hour or so anyway – and I’ve spoken with Charlotte, updating her on all the drama. I’ve also got about a hundred messages from Vienna, Yuto and Emika telling me to come and join the celebrations in the garage and I’ve finally responded to say I’m on my way.
‘I guess.’ Robbo heaves himself out of his chair. Weirdly, despite our P1 and P3 result, his expression is as brooding now as it was before the race.
‘Come on.’ I smile encouragingly. ‘There has to be some champagne left.’
‘You go.’ He slings a bag over his shoulder and heads for the door. ‘I’m going to bed.’
‘Are you kidding?’ I blink at him. ‘This was a great day for us. Rask’s very first win!’
‘I know.’ He stops in the doorway. ‘I just wish it was the other way round, you know. Quinn instead of Leif in first place.’
‘That’s a bit harsh.’ I frown. ‘I mean, obviously it’s great to finally have a female driver, but –’
‘It’s not that.’ He interrupts me. ‘I’m pissed off that in a week’s time nobody’s going to be talking about us winning a race any more. It’s all going to be about Leif going to Fraser. We’ll be old news.’
‘What?’ I feel like he just threw a bucket of icy water into my face. ‘Who says that Leif is going to Fraser?’
‘Apparently he had dinner with Giovanni Bauer and Mark Haddon last night.’
I stiffen because that does seem a little odd. Why would Leif be dining with the Fraser team principal instead of Bastian the night before a Grand Prix? There has to be a reason. If Leif wasn’t prepared to move to Quezada, then why would he go to Fraser instead? Especially after he gave Bastian his word.
‘I’m sure there’s an explanation,’ I say. ‘Leif is totally committed to Rask.’
‘Then why hasn’t he signed the contract yet?’ Robbo sounds like he’s enjoying his own conspiracy theory. ‘It’s October. This should have been dealt with months ago. Why are things still up in the air?’
‘Because his agent is probably stalling, trying to get more money,’ I say, remembering what Leif told me. Although it’s certainly unusual to leave things this late in the season …
‘Orhe wants us tothinkhis agent is stalling and he’s just been waiting for Fraser to make a decision about Hayden Quaid.’
I feel a prickle of discomfort. ‘Have they?’
‘Yep. They’re not renewing his contract. It’s going to be announced on Monday.’
‘Shit.’ I sit down again. ‘Are you certain?’
‘A friend who works in their engineering department told me. It’s a shame. He seems like a nice guy.’ Robbo shrugs. ‘The whole thing leaves a bad taste in the mouth, you know. People were finally starting to take us seriously again and now Corey’s broken his leg and our best driver is leaving. So I’m not in the mood for celebrating.’
‘But none of this is confirmed …’
‘It will be. Trust me. By the end of next week, we’ll be looking for another driver. And hey, I’m not blaming Leif. Fraser are a great team. It just sucks for us.’
‘Right.’ I stare down at the floor, my shoulders slumping like a new weight has settled across them. It seems too ironic to be true, that I find out Leif is leaving Rask at the same time I decide to stay.
‘Sorry.’ Robbo’s expression turns contrite. ‘I didn’t mean to bring you down. And maybe things will work out, you know. If Corey’s back next year, he and Quinn might make a good pairing.’
‘Uh-huh …’ I’m barely registering his words now. ‘Maybe.’
‘Anyway, I’m heading back to the hotel. The airport bus isn’t until 6 a.m. so we can still get a few hours’ sleep.’
‘Yeah … See you.’
I sit completely still for a few seconds, waiting until his footsteps have receded before reaching for my phone. There’s only one person I can trust right now to tell me the truth.
‘Congratulations!’ Maisie answers on the second ring. ‘Wait – why are you calling me and not celebrating?’
