by Fleur Beale
We’d just about reached the tent when who should come running up but the last person I wanted to see right then. Actually, scratch that — Craig Bateman would be worse. But Silver Adams was up there on the don’t want to see list.
She spoke. Actual words came out of her mouth. And they stopped me dead. ‘Archie. Take my kart. Use what you need.’
I stared at her and I knew my mouth was open. ‘What?’ I managed to say. ‘Why?’
‘Just take it!’ She turned to look behind her. Her father was pushing her kart towards us, his face all sad and despairing. Man, I know how you feel.
I shook my head. ‘I can’t drive your kart.’
She stamped her foot. ‘Use the parts, you moron. Stop gawping. There isn’t much time if you want to beat that heap of shit.’
Something in me snapped. Everything just piled in on top of me and I lost it. ‘Why?’ I didn’t quite yell at her, but near enough. ‘If it means so fecking much to you to beat Craig, then you go out there and do it.’
She reached out, snatched hold of my arm and started shaking it. ‘You don’t understand. Just do it. Take my kart. You can beat him. You can.’
I dragged my arm free. ‘Why? This is all about your mother, isn’t it? Your mind is seriously twisted, sister. Your mum’s still going to be dead even if I do beat him.’ Shit. I wanted to take that back. Too late now. And there she was looking at me, her eyes suddenly stark in a dead white face.
I took a breath to apologise just as she gasped out a few words. ‘My mother … she’s … it was my fault. I shouldn’t …’ Then she collapsed down on to the ground, sobbing out words I couldn’t decipher.
My god, what had I done? I looked at Silver’s father. But he gave the trolley a push in my direction. ‘Take it, Archie. And thank you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.’
That was enough for Grandad. ‘Come on, Felix. We’ve got work to do.’ The two of them pushed her kart into our tent.
Erica and Gran knelt beside Silver. Erica put her arm under Silver’s shoulder and heaved her up. Gran looked at me. ‘Hop it, Archie. We’ll take over here.’
Well, okay, I guess. I didn’t understand any of it — not why Silver had suddenly got talkative, or why she’d started howling like an engine in pain. Or why her dad was now looking like he’d won something precious.
Hop it, Gran had said. But my feet ached. Just something else to niggle when I drove, but they’d be bruised, that was all. Could Grandad really get my kart going in time? If he did, I’d be well back in the field, probably around twelve or fourteen. I let in a trickle of hope.
I was still standing there doing my stuffed dummy impersonation when three people showed up. The first one was Dave Higgins, Craig’s current mechanic. He nodded to me but went straight into the tent. I stuck my head in, just a bit curious to hear why he’d come.
‘Dick Bateman said you might like a hand.’
Grandad glanced up. ‘He’s paying you?’
‘Only for today. I’m straight. There’ll be no funny business.’
‘Good. Thanks.’
Another trickle of hope joined the first one. There was a small stream there by now, but it gurgled to a halt as I caught sight of my next visitors. A steward, followed by the first-aid guy.
I got in first. ‘I’m fine.’
‘He ran over your feet,’ the steward said. ‘You know the score, Archie. Boots off, please.’
I had to go to the ambulance, where my feet got prodded and pushed in various directions. All of them hurt, but every time the first-aid guy asked, ‘Does that hurt?’ I said no it was fine.
‘Liar, but it’s your funeral and nothing seems broken.’ He clapped me on the back. ‘Good luck to you, Archie. You’re a fine driver. You deserve to win.’
A comment like that can make a bloke come over all emotional. I muttered a thank you and got out of there, doing my best not to limp.
I walked slap bang into a posse of my mates. ‘What’s up?’
‘We heard something about Silver.’
‘Craig’s old man is spitting mad at him.’
Jack shouldered his way to the front and held up his hands. ‘Hold it, lads. Let the boy speak, for chrissakes.’
So I spoke, but none of them had any ideas about what made Silver Adams tick either. They all wished me luck, ending with some variation of ‘Nail that fecker’s nuts to the floor.’
They drifted off to their bases, their heads already occupied with the pre-final to come. I was too scared to go anywhere near our base. What if they couldn’t reassemble my kart? Even if they could, how would it go on the track? I wouldn’t be able to try it out. My thoughts chased round and round until Felix came running out, carrying a phone.
‘It’s Bill. He says what the bloody hell is happening and why hasn’t anybody texted him.’
I took the phone. ‘Calm down, Dad. There’s been some drama here.’ I filled him in on the details, then asked, ‘How are you?’
‘Having a heart attack here waiting for news. What the hell’s Erica playing at? She promised to keep me up with the play.’
‘She and Gran took Silver off somewhere. Don’t yell at her, Dad. She’s awesome.’ I gave Felix a grin.
Dad muttered something, then he said, ‘Do your race prep, Archie. Treat it like a normal pre-final. Focus.’
I said goodbye and gave the phone back to Felix. ‘Thanks, mate.’
AS USUAL, DAD was right on the money. I set about ditching all the drama from my thoughts and bringing my focus to the race ahead. But the knowledge lurked that maybe they couldn’t get my kart fixed in time.
The pre-final announcement crackled out from the speakers. Already? No way would they have been able to reassemble my kart so soon.
I had to force myself to go back to the tent.
The first thing I heard was the engine, running sweetly. I hobbled faster. Three jubilant faces greeted me. ‘You’ve fixed it? Really?’
Dave switched off the engine. ‘It’ll get you round the track, Archie. More than that we can’t promise.’
I stood there, grinning like an idiot. ‘Thanks, guys. I’ll do my best. You’re amazing. All of you.’
Felix shoved my helmet at me. ‘Get moving, Archie. You have to grid up.’
Bossy little rat. He was having the time of his life.
Down at the grid, I pushed my kart on to thirteen, my mind already busy with how I’d drive the start.
The starter flagged us away and I used the two rolling laps to test the kart as much as I could. It wasn’t perfect and would probably be worse at speed. The track was dry now too, and getting faster with each race.
We approached the start — and I had to laugh. Ahead of me, my mates were all over the track instead of neatly formed up in their positions and ready to race. Round we had to go again. Craig would be furious. They’d done it on purpose to give me an extra lap to test the kart. I made good use of it, throwing the kart into the corners to try to work out how to compensate for the slight drag at the back. The drivers around me kept out of my way.
By the time we came up to the start again, I was feeling more confident. And I had a plan — I’d drive it like I’d stolen it.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
THE LIGHTS WENT out, my foot went down on the gas. The karts ahead of me were slower, and I made up four places before the turn, snaking my way through the gaps, seeing them almost before they opened. I snuck past another kart on the hairpin, picking off the middle bunch one by one over the next couple of laps.
The leading pack of Josh, Ollie, Lewis and Craig were tightly bunched. I followed them round, waiting for my chance, compensating in every turn for the drag at the back. Craig was driving like a demon. He’d made up three places and now only had Lewis in front of him.
Drive your own race.
Ahead of me, Josh tried sneaking through to pass Ollie, went too far into the greasy part of the seal and spun off. I kept out of the way and ducked under on the inside, getting past Ollie. Had to fight to k
eep the kart steady as the inside wheels caught the edge of the slippery stuff. He played by the rules and let me through.
Only Lewis and Craig ahead of me now. I could wait this out. Sit tight and just make sure I came in third.
No. Beat that sniveller. Grind him into the dirt.
I missed my braking point on one of the infield hairpins. I was very lucky that it didn’t cost me a place.
Concentrate. Get into the zone.
I drove the last couple of laps alert for any chance to overtake, but there were none. Third. Not too bad.
Grandad met me with, ‘What’s it doing?’
‘A bit of drag on the back. Apart from that, it’s a fecking miracle.’
‘Can we fix it, Grandad?’ Felix asked, his eyes so big and worried they almost swallowed his face.
‘We can fix it, mate.’ Then to me he said, ‘All you have to do is stay in third place, Archie. No heroics. Be consistent.’
‘Yeah. I know.’ And we both knew I’d go hard out and do everything, except cheat, to win that final. ‘How’s Silver?’
Grandad shrugged. ‘Don’t know. They haven’t come back.’
Felix kicked a trolley tyre. ‘It’s not fair. Mum promised she’d watch. She promised.’
‘A lot of things aren’t fair, my lad,’ Grandad said. ‘Your mum’s probably helping save that girl’s sanity. Or her life. None of us would be here if your mum hadn’t stepped up, so no more grizzles from you. Understood?’
Felix dropped his head. Possibly to hide tears.
‘Chin up,’ Grandad said. ‘We’ve got work to do, you and me.’
That chirped Felix up.
Dave Higgins joined us as we reached our tent. ‘Shouldn’t you be helping Craig?’ Grandad asked.
Dave smiled. ‘His dad’s not so happy with him. Told me to make sure everything’s good here and then if there’s any time left Craig can have my undivided attention.’
‘Pity it’s taken him fifteen years to thump sense into that boy,’ Grandad said. ‘Thanks, Dave. Archie — go and get yourself fuelled up in the canteen.’
I was pleased to go, even though it meant walking on my throbbing feet. But the usual body parts were all kicking up a fuss by now anyway, so what did a couple more matter? Quite a lot. They ached like stink.
Sel and Jack were already there, plates of food disappearing down their gobs. I got spag bol and joined them. Ollie, Josh and Lewis came in a couple of minutes later. We talked about the racing, and then about Silver, but none of us said too much. She was one large question mark, that girl. We didn’t mention Craig either. Best not to go there.
Then, what do you know — he strolls in as if he was still king of the dung heap. He bought a drink, then sauntered over. ‘The forecast says the rain will stay away. Good, eh?’
None of us responded.
I got up. ‘See you on the track.’ But I looked at my mates and not at Craig.
‘I’m off too,’ Sel said — and, with that, the others vanished as well, leaving Craig frowning at an empty table.
‘He’s lucky you didn’t punch him, Archie,’ Josh said when we were outside.
‘And pollute my knuckles? Nah. He’s not worth it.’
‘He’s unbelievable,’ Lewis said. ‘Turning up like that and expecting us all to ignore the fact that he’s a cheating ball of slime.’
Jack squinted up at the sky. ‘Hope he’s right about the forecast, though.’ The sky was dark. Looked to me like it would fall on us at any second.
They announced our final. Felix kept looking for his mother, but his mouth stayed shut. Silver must be in a bad way — Erica and Gran had been with her for ages. I hoped like hell she’d be okay. Poor cow.
I pushed my kart on to three, behind Craig. I spent a few moments trying to bend his chassis with the power of my mind, then I got to work doing my prep. This race would demand my total concentration for all twenty-seven laps. It was going to be long, and it was going to be hard. Excellent.
The starter counted us down and let us go. Craig set a steady pace for the rolling laps. Again, my mates made sure I got an extra lap to test my kart, and this time everything felt damn near perfect.
The lights went out. We were racing. I fell into the zone pretty much straight away — that state where the kart seems to know what to do all by itself. Where my mind computes all the variables of the race — track, other drivers, passing opportunities — all without conscious thought.
I passed Lewis on the top hairpin when he braked too soon. Craig was now only a kart length in front. I kept my concentration, stayed in the zone. I waited, patient, watchful and alert.
The chance came on lap 18. We came up to turn four. It was tight. I braked heavily. Craig did too, but again he went wide the way he’d done when he munted my kart. Forget that. I ducked through, watching him in my peripheral vision to make sure he gave me room.
I was through. He’d have to scramble to get out of that corner smoothly.
Stay in the zone.
Nine laps left, with Craig behind me, bumping my kart every chance he got. I drove my own race, intent on staying on the track, on making sure I hit my braking points.
Six laps to go. I was leading. The steward counted the laps down. Five, four, three. I held the lead, driving hard out.
Second to last lap. The drizzle started. It was like driving on ice. I slowed just enough to ensure I stayed on the track. Had to change the line through every corner. No more bumps from Craig.
Final lap. Halfway round, the sky opened. Water bounced off the track, smacked into my visor, soaked me to the skin. I had a bad moment at corner seven — the sweeper that tightens up. Wrestled the kart and managed to stay off the grass. Nobody had passed me.
Hold it together. Three turns left.
Turn eight. Not tidy. Turn nine. I stayed on the track and was lucky to do so. I took the final turn — the high-speed right-hander — at half the usual speed. It’d be crazy to lose it now.
Down the finish straight, water all around me. I knew spray would be kicking up behind me. It might drown Craig. Nice thought.
And there was the chequered flag. I crossed the finish line, and all I knew was that nobody had beaten me. I took a quick look behind. Lewis was just crossing the line, with Ollie behind him. No Craig.
I’d won. I was going to Portugal to race. ‘Yeee ha!’ I took both hands off the wheel and punched the air. It was hard to believe.
I drove into the pits and on to the scales. ‘Congratulations, Archie,’ the steward said. ‘I’m glad you won.’
Grandad and Felix came running in. ‘You did it!’ Felix bellowed. ‘Archie, you won! Awesome!’
Grandad squeezed my shoulder. ‘Bloody good race, Archie. Fine driving. Damn fine driving.’
Lewis drove in next, followed by Ollie, with Josh not too far behind. ‘What happened to Craig?’ I asked. Not that I cared — just curious.
Grandad said, ‘He went too fast into that final corner. Went straight off the end.’
‘Dear dear,’ Lewis said. He swiped water from his face with his gloves. Hard to tell which ended up dirtier — his face or the gloves. ‘You drove a mean race, Archie. Sorry you beat me. Bloody glad you beat that cheating ball of slime.’
‘Come on,’ Grandad said. ‘All you guys need to get dry. Get something warm into yourselves too.’
We left the karts to be checked, and sloshed back to our bases. Gran and Erica were waiting for us, hot Milo already steaming in mugs. Gran threw me a towel. It turned out every stitch I was wearing was drenched. I got changed in the trailer, pulling on my spare suit ready for prize-giving. Prize-giving. I’d won. It was starting to sink in.
I went back to the tent with a smile on my face.
‘Mum watched the whole race,’ Felix said. ‘She thinks you’re awesome.’
It could be time to teach that kid a different word, but not today because he was right. Erica was awesome. Today was awesome.
‘You go so fast. I had no idea,’ Er
ica said. ‘And when the race started … I thought you’d be killed, Archie. I really did.’
‘Nah, I know what I’m doing. But thanks for watching. You don’t have to ever again.’
‘I was surprised — it was really interesting. Nerve-wracking because we all wanted you to win, but I got drawn into the whole thing. I’m glad I saw it.’
I sipped my Milo and grinned at her. A phone went. Dad, of course.
‘How are you feeling, Dad?’
‘Stoked, son. Best medicine a bloke could have. Wish I could’ve been there. Or maybe not. Might have thumped that young jackass into the middle of next century.’ With that, he hung up, which I figured meant he still wasn’t feeling well and didn’t want to talk about it.
‘Is Silver okay? Can I see her? I want to tell her thanks for the kart.’
Erica shook her head. ‘Her father’s taken her home. She’s a mess right now, but she’s on her way to recovery.’
A wave of shame washed over me. ‘I shouldn’t have yelled at her. Can’t believe I said that about her mother.’
‘Archie, listen to me,’ Erica said. ‘You yelling that at her has probably saved her life. It shocked her so much it broke through the wall she’d built up. Her dad’s been so worried about her that he never leaves her alone. Her aunt stays with them so she’s never alone at night. The grandparents help out too.’
I gaped at her. ‘They thought she’d kill herself ?’
Gran nodded. ‘Poor girl. It turns out she believed if she hadn’t stopped to look in a shop window then her mother wouldn’t have been standing in the path of that car.’
‘Jeez, that’s heavy. But I don’t get how yelling at her …’
‘She’d refused to talk about the accident, or about her mother,’ Erica said. ‘Her dad thought the racing might help her, and it did to some extent. But not enough, and he was facing that when you yelled at her.’
So that’s why old man Adams had given me the kart like it was worth nothing to him. I wasn’t totally sure how all that got mixed into Silver being desperate to make sure Craig didn’t win — maybe she didn’t know either.
I finished my drink. There was a lot to think about, but right now it was time to celebrate.
