"Hmm. Well sod it, once the race is over and she's had time to read the bloody papers, been bombarded with it on the news, and asked for her comments a hundred or so times, then, fuck it, I'm going to see her and make her listen. Even If I have to camp on her doorstep with fifty reporters and a cat. I've got less than six weeks before our divorce is final. I don't want to get to that stage, not without talking to her and explaining everything to her, even the lies, damn lies and no lies."
Angela clapped her hands and kissed the top of his head. "Good for you. Don't forget the cat food, you might as well get it on your side, and if it runs away you can throw the tin at the reporter who gets up your nose the worst. Now, what do I need to know and do about the car?"
Luca laughed in spite of his shitty mood. "Not a thing, it went like a dream. I was just being a brat."
"Then do you mind if I love you and leave you? I'd like to get an early night. I'll be here bright and breezy in the morning, but one of the joys of Silverstone is sleeping in my own bed."
"Alone? No don't answer that. I'm sorry Angie, you're affected here as bad as I am."
"I'm not, you know. Mama and Papa and I have each other to rely on. You lost the one person you thought was there. Oh we're here but we're not her. And I'm not sharing my bed tonight. Ciao."
She left before he had a chance to question her any more. Luca was damned sure she was up to something, but if Angela had a lover, he could understand why he was keeping him or her away from the track. Especially this weekend.
He went inside and had a shower. An early night, a good sleep and then a run was on his agenda.
He reckoned two out of three wasn't bad. He got the early night, but spent the intervening hours before his run tossing and turning, and having half remembered dreams. Just what he didn't need. However there was nothing to be done about it, And Luca, showered ate breakfast, and went off for the first interview of the day. Of course the interviewer had to start with the revelations in the papers. Luca held his hand up to stop him mid flow. "This is about the race, not about the truth that has finally come out. That is the last thing on my mind. After all it is nothing new to me. I've known the truth all along. So, do you wish to talk about my chances?"
Chapter Five
"I feel sick again." Leigh stirred her cereal around in the bowl and look at Angela who was sipping coffee like she didn't have a care in the world. "Oh I'm not reneging, not going to have a hissy fit and bloody well not reading a paper or turning on the TV, but I do feel queasy. I reckon it's allowed. I always used to on race days anyway. So I've decided that’s the reason not ’cos I might well be out on my ear later."
"You won't be out on your ear because I'll sit on him if I have to, to make him listen." Angela picked up a slice of toast and spread a thick layer of marmalade on it.
Leigh shuddered. "Angie that looks vile. As for sitting on Luca? Oh my god, that would be front page news" She put her spoon down and looked at the soggy mess in it with loathing. "Okay, sorry I can't eat this. Not now. Later I'll pig out if I can, but now?" She shook her head. "Not a scooby."
"Then I'll pack you a sarnie and an energy bar. Because even though you'll be near the pits, you'll be out of the way-ish."
"Hell, shove me on a hill somewhere, just as long as I can watch."
"And how do you think you'll do a victory jig with me from there?"
"Who says I'll get anywhere near you?" Leigh asked morosely. "Ah shut me up. I'm a misery fest and it's annoying me, so god knows how you feel. And another thing. How can I make Luca believe me when I say I've heard or read nothing?"
"I have an idea there. However you'll need to trust me for, oh," Angela looked at her watch. "Ten minutes or so. Now go and shove your slap on, get into your lucky knickers or whatever, and then we’ll be good to go." She pulled Leigh to her feet. "Honey, you've trusted me so far. Now do it for a little bit longer. And get ready because when I say it's time to go it will be time to go."
With a none too gentle pat on her bum, Angela pushed Leigh towards the stairs.
She did as she was told and went into the bedroom to make up her face.
The room was pretty, without being twee. Leigh loved it and had said so.
Angela had grinned. "It was decorated by Luca with you in mind, but you bolted before he had a chance to show you. Oh it's my cottage, but until he finds somewhere in this area he wants he's just stopped with me."
He knew her well. The room was everything Leigh could ask for.
Somewhere nearby a door slammed and she heard voices. Leigh strained to hear. One was definitely Angela's and the other a man's. Deep and English. So it couldn't be Luca. Leigh was taken about by the surge of disappointment that filled her. But seriously, did she really expect him to drive however many miles across country just to see his almost ex-wife, when he didn't know why she was there, just before a race?
Get a grip.
Satisfied she looked good, and not at all like Signora Corrieri, Leigh made her way down the stairs and into the lounge.
To see Angela and a tall red-haired giant playing tonsil tennis.
Leigh blinked and coughed theatrically. The couple took their time in moving apart.
Angela ran her hand through the man's hair and he put his arm over her shoulder.
"Leigh this is Dougal McFee. He's a journalist from that damned paper, or well he was. He's gone a bit upmarket now, and works for a TV sports channel. Oh, and we just got engaged." She waved her finger in Leigh's direction so the light caught the diamonds that sparkled on a platinum band that encircled it.
"I thought maybe if you talked to him, made it clear you knew nothing of today's revelations, and you didn't care what had or hadn't been said, you trusted and supported Luca, it could go out as Luca won the race and well, then he'd know."
Leigh considered. Oh she'd love Luca to believe her without any proof but why should he?
"Or I could hold it back and only release it if you needed proof?" Dougal said as they shook hands.
"That would be better, oh and congratulations. When's the big day?"
"End of the season … matron of honor. So save the date once we finalize it."
"It might be bridesmaid, not matron of honor."
"And it might not. Now go chat to Dougal or whatever he wants ’cos we need to leave soon. And one thing? As I don't have a TV and the papers don't arrive for another hour, Luca will know it’s all true."
God I hope so.
Five hours later her heart was in her mouth, and she still felt sick. She hated race days with a vengeance and always had. That horrible 'what if there's an accident feeling'. The 'oh god will he finish in one piece,’ and the ‘shit there was an accident who is it' moment. All gave her the heebie jeebies. Even when they'd been estranged, and she'd tried to kid herself the feeling hadn't gone away.
Now back at a racetrack it was one hundred times worse.
It had been the weirdest day she'd ever had. First the interview with Dougal where she reiterated she had no clues about whatever revelations had come to light. Then opening her heart to whoever might see the interview, and saying she loved and trusted Luca and Angela. Followed by a cloak and dagger entrance into Luca's motor home, once he'd left for the garage. She felt like a spy who'd lost their trench coat and fedora. Somehow a spotty sundress and flat shoes didn't have the same sense of secrecy.
The sound of twenty-odd engines revving for the formation lap told her it was time to make her way to where Angela said she could watch closely and not be spotted for who she was. Dougal had promised to come for her, show her the way and stand next to her. Leigh was glad of that show of support. She put her sunglasses on her nose, grabbed her passes and a pashmina and joined Dougal outside the van.
****
"March has a puncture, watch out for Stephens, he's spun and clipped the tire wall. You're on track to overtake Valeiri. Push now we're fit to the end. Go for it."
It was what Luca needed to hear. After almost two hours of une
xpected pit stops, the safety car, and a rookie almost consigning both himself and Luca to oblivion, those magic words were perfect. He grinned behind his helmet, and hummed under his breath.
"Save your breath, just get podium, top spot."
He nodded to himself. Just win.
The last four laps were interesting to say the least. He overtook two of the three drivers in front of him with ease, but Valeiri, a friend from carting days, was not so easy to catch. For over a lap they were neck and neck until, finally two turns from the end, Valeiri, made a mistake. Tiny and in most cases correctable. However not this time. Luca roared past and pulled away.
To win by two lengths and no time at all.
Such a bittersweet win. He could only hope it was a good omen. The cheers of the crowds, and the congratulations of his team were loud in his ears, and he acknowledged every one. For the first time in his racing career he wanted it all to be over. No matter that it put him well at the top of the championship standings, and the team leading the constructor's race.
It was a hollow victory. No Leigh waiting for him. No victory sex that night, and no cuddles if he woke up sweating over a 'what might have been’ moment.
He drove his victory lap on automatic, got back to the pits for the necessary checks and stood chatting quietly to the other two drivers who were on the podium.
"That was a great interview Dougal McKee did with your wife," Valeiri said. "I caught it just before I got into the car. You must be so proud and pleased to have such trust. And what a turn up for the books. I had no idea and I've known you since we were scrubby school kids. Just goes to show." He moved away as they were called forward.
What interview? What trust? What the fuck have I missed? There was no way he could find out. Not there and then. With his mind whirring, Luca went up onto the podium to get his trophy and be drenched in champagne.
He went through the motions, glad to know the after race interview was by Dougal and he'd stick to the race and nothing more. Then he'd throttle the guy until he told him what the he fuck was doing.
At last he was free to head back to his motor home. Damned if he didn't want a beer. Champagne was all well and good but not warm, over-fizzed and dripping from his hair.
Dougal had been less than forthcoming. "If you decide you need to watch it I'll give you a copy. Let me know later. Oh and congratulate me. I've persuaded Angie to let me make an honest woman of her. You're best man."
Luca wasn't sure about that. Second or fiftieth best maybe. If he were best he'd still have Leigh. He turned the handle on the door of his motor home, without thinking and then stopped. Why wasn't it locked? His mama and Erich, along with Angela and he supposed Dougal were still in the garages.
He swung the door open. If there was an intruder inside he was in the mood for a good old punch up.
There was an intruder. Just not one he wanted to punch.
"Congratulations, Luca. I'm hoping you're more generous and forgiving than I was."
"Leigh?"
Chapter Six
"The very same." Leigh stood up from the settee and walked toward the door. "I know it's rude of me to invite myself into your home, but well, will you come in and not kick me out?"
"I'm not that crass. I won't kick you out until you tell me why you’re here." He stepped inside and kicked the door shut behind him. "Do you want a drink?"
Leigh smiled. "There's a bottle of Moet cooling and some Brew Dog beer. I’d prefer the fizz. I'm so proud of you."
He took out the bottle of champagne from the fridge and dealt with the closure. "Why are you here?"
"Straight to the point as ever," Leigh said wryly as she tried to quell the butterflies in her tummy. "Thank you." She took the glass he handed her and clinked it next to the bottle of beer he was about to drink from without a glass.
"You're welcome and why not? You must have a reason which you saw fit to share with the world and Dougal McKee and not me." He took a long swallow. "So why not let me in on the secret, eh?"
"The bastard said it wouldn't go out. Sod him. Have you seen it?"
Luca shook his head. Relief filled Leigh. Now it was up to her.
"No, I haven't seen or heard anything. There was the small thing of driving a Formula One race. Now tell me, why are you here?"
Leigh took a deep breath.
"To tell you I love you, and I was an idiot. I should have trusted you and Angie. I do trust you and Angie. I know fine well there couldn't be anything between you. You didn't strike sparks off each other. Whatever it was, it wasn't that. And to tell you before I saw it or read it or was told it or… well anyway, to apologize."
"So what was all the stuff with Dougal?"
So he wasn't going to let on if he did forgive her, not yet. Leigh reckoned she deserved that. He wanted to make her sweat? Well it was little enough revenge.
"In case you didn't believe me. After all why should you?"
"What do you think happened?" Luca sounded as interested in her answer as he was in who came last in the five twenty at Cheltenham. He didn't follow horse racing. It held no appeal.
"I don't know, and you know? I don't much care. Someone was stirring it maybe?" Leigh folded her arms over her chest, and hoped it stopped her hands shaking. "Oh I'm sure they saw Angie leaving your place, and no doubt you kissed her. But why? Well, not for services rendered, that, now I've got over my stupidity, I'm sure of. And you know something else? It doesn't matter any more. If you say it was innocent, then it was innocent."
Luca put down his beer, took her glass from her and set it on the table. Then he grabbed Leigh by the shoulders and shook her until she was sure you could hear her teeth rattle.
"You stupid fucking idiot. Of course it was innocent. She's my bloody sister."
Of all he things she might have expected to hear, that wasn't one of them.
Leigh stared as Luca ran his hand over his chin and shrugged in a very Italian manner.
"Same mama, different papa. In fact her papa is Erich, but this was all very hush hush, as Mama was married to a very jealous man. My papa would never have forgiven her if he knew. Angela, poor girl, was brought up by Erich's sister for many years. Oh happy and loved but knowing somewhere she had a mother. It all came out once my papa died, but of course we didn't broadcast it. That night we were both worried sick about Mama, and she stayed with me in case I got any news. A lady, no I can’t call her that, a puttana, who once tried it on with me and got short shrift, saw her leave, managed some very convincing lies, and the rest is history."
He kissed Leigh, and she melted toward him. The scents of oil, fuel and good honest sweat filled her nostrils. It was all race day Luca and she loved it. She moaned as he broke the kiss.
"More."
Luca laughed and the carefree sound was magic to Leigh's ears. "Oh definitely, but later. So, today the paper was finally going to print a retraction. Mama and Erich are telling the world they are going to marry, and that Angie is their daughter. Now that Dougal's managed to get the bloody woman to tell the truth it can all come out in the open. That’s it in a nut shell."
"Not quite. Will you forgive me?"
Luca kissed her again. Her nipples hardened and her muscles clenched in anticipation of what she hoped might come.
"What for, cara? We both made mistakes but like we said, it's history. I love you, you love me."
Leigh nodded. "I do."
"Then we need to look forward not back. We have the rest of our life to plan, yes?"
"Oh yes." She liked the sound of that.
"Say no decree absolute?"
"Absolutely."
"Then cara, I have a problem." Luca said. He sounded so defeated Leigh was alarmed.
"You do?"
He nodded. "My recalcitrant cock."
Ailsa wondered what on earth he was talking about. She glanced down toward his groin, where his race suit hung loosely over his hips. A long thick bulge showed under the material.
"Ah. I see. He doesn't see
m that recalcitrant to me. More like he wants to come out and play." Leigh didn't even think about her actions. She reached out and ran her fingers over the lightweight fire resistant material and outlined Luca's cock. Even as she rubbed the material up and down, and, she hoped created a delicious friction, Luca groaned and his dick swelled further.
"That is the best, the most perfect the, ahh." He lapsed into low fast spoken Italian.
"Really? Oh I'm sure he's got his appetite to play back. I don't think he's gonna sulk and refuse to show himself any more. It doesn't feel like it anyway." In a few muttered sentences Luca had told her how much he worried he wouldn't be able to make love with her. She remembered those few words he'd said a few days earlier about not being able to get an erection. "Shall we see?" Leigh knelt on the floor in front of Luca, tugged and pulled on the race suit, until it was bunched around Luca's ankles. Then she sat back on her haunches and giggled.
"I am to be laughed at?" Luca spoke in an outraged tone, and then spoiled it by laughing himself.
"Not very sexy, eh?" He ran his hand over his fireproof underwear. "What are you going to do about that?"
"Well…" Leigh knelt up and ran her hands down his chest. "I could say I'll cut a hole in it, but we both know I'm a bit clumsy around knives and scissors."
Luca winced and covered his cock with his hands. "Ah, maybe I have a better idea. After all, now it seems I can, how should we put it, get it up, I'd like to have the opportunity to put it in."
"Luca Corrieri." Leigh punched him in the stomach, and he rolled his eyes.
"You've forgotten what I told you, cara. Make a fist, use a fist. That wouldn't have hurt a fly."
"I didn't want to hurt a fly, I wanted to say oy, don’t be crude. And if we're going to have make up sex we need to get a move on. Your family will be here soon."
Luca swore. "Damn, so, do you want to wait?"
"Oh no. Because once they arrive, I bet the party gets started. I want you now."
Leigh put her hands onto hem of her dress and slowly began to lift it. As it edged over the top of her thighs she stopped.
Being Luca's Page 3
