“Stop stressing her. They’ll be fine,” Tawnysays.
Senna clears her throat. “I have news.”
Jacs raises her eyebrows and glances at Senna’s ring finger.
“Driving news,” she qualifies. “I’ll announce this to the team on Monday, with press releases going out next week. Connor’s leaving at the end of the season. In two months, he’ll drive his last race for Coulter.”
Tawny gasps, Jacs grunts, and I sit deathly still.
“That’s big, right?” Sasha asks.
I nod emphatically.
“But he loves the team. Is he joining the enemy?” Jacs says. I wish I knew why she hates Vessa so much.
“No, he’s retiring from Formula One. It’s not because he’s scared of racing like he was at the start of last year. But his injury before the summer break showed him what life was without dieting, training all the hours of the day, and generally being obsessed with F1. He’s wanted to move into the operations side for a while. He’ll advise the team and help Niki and Rosie with the academy idea.”
“Wow,” I whisper.
“I should apologise, Rosie, because now you’ll have to organise both of them, if you can fit it in around your master’s degree. Soon you’ll be at an established academy, making a difference,” Senna says, smiling. She knows I’ve loved studying for my master’s over the last month while working for Coulter and that I’m chomping at the bit to work at the academy.
“Good luck with managing those two. It will be like trying to organise a circus of monkeys,” Jacs says.
“It won’t be that bad. Rosie will be incredible at the academy. And Connor’s background will help the teenagers, too. He experienced life as the poor kid surrounded by arrogant rich kids,” Tawny says. “Kids like Billy.”
“Don’t be so hard on Billy. You love him, really,” Jacs replies, speaking what I’ve wondered for a while. It takes a lotto make Tawny glare, but the sour face she gives her sister would make lemons jealous.
“Who’ll replace Connor?” Sasha asks.
“Not Billy, please not Billy. I can’t take any more Coulter relationships and blossoming love,” Jacs says.
“I could go off you quickly,” Tawny replies. “Unless you mean because you’ll be dating him.”
“I will never date a driver. Over my dead body.”
“Or mechanics. You hate them more, understandably,” Tawny whispers, and we stare at Jacs.
“Moving on,” Jacs grumbles.
Sasha and I share a glance filled with multiple questions, the sort only best friends can do. I shrug. I want to know everything, but Jacs won’t reveal what even Senna doesn’t know.
“I’m considering employing a rookie driver. With Connor and Niki in advisor roles, we’d bring someone new to Formula One.”
I ease my drink down as my head swims a little. This affects all of Coulter. Niki still travels to most races. Tabi and I sometimes go with him. I’ve flown with him to Singapore, with my parents on babysitting duty. That involved a long memorable night in the private jet.
“I’m still trying to talk Connor’s sister, Layla, into joining the comms team. She’s got less than a year left of her degree. She seemed a little reluctant.” After meeting her, I suspect her passion doesn’t lie in social media.
“If you ever want to create a Coulter nursery, I’d love to join,” Sasha says, resting her head on my shoulder. She’s at her sweet stage of drinking.
Senna has the twinkly eyes her brother gets when he plans things.
Jacs sighs. “It might be the gin speaking, but I’m excitedabout next season. The cars are better than ever, and although I’m a grumpy cow sometimes?—”
“Sometimes?” Tawny winks at her sister.
“Shut up,” Jacs says with a smile. “Although I’m a grumpy cow sometimes, I’m excited for what happens next. I’m Coulter through and through. Cut me, and I bleed turquoise. And thank god, because if I didn’t have Coulter, I’d have nothing except hookups and a cupboard full of Pot Noodles.”
Tawny giggles. “Here’s to the future of Coulter and, hopefully, Jacs finding something exciting next season.”
