Debutant. Chapter 14. Ups and downs. Part 2

This novel is fictional; there is no need to look for intersections with historical events. This is a continuation of “Debutant” by Nikita Savelyev, the first readers of which were readers of F1News.ru…

Chapter 14. Ups and downs. Part two

Race day

Henry conquered the slow hairpin bend before the straight, and now the car could accelerate at full speed. Now it will be difficult! The track goes down, bends a little, at the moment of corrective movement of the steering wheel the road suddenly flies up, a wall of asphalt grows in front of the driver, the exit from the bend is completely invisible, but you have already turned. Right and then left.

Henry has seen many dangerous turns, but perhaps here you most accurately feel the meaning of the expression, your soul has sunk at your heels. But there is no time to relax – now the car dives into a series of straight lines connected by fast turns.

The opponent comes first. Henry noticed that he was not very confident on the way out and rushed to attack. The low-powered engine in Henry’s car was struggling; there wasn’t much room on the straight line and a new bend was already approaching, which could only accommodate one car. If the competitor doesn’t back down… Henry took desperate risks and still managed to get ahead. Uhm. You can catch your breath for a moment. The question arises: why are they acting so rashly, especially in the second lap of the race?

Before the match started, Henry had a very important meeting. I couldn’t think of anything better than to approach Senora Tomasi with a huge, lush bouquet. There is no doubt about it – there was some risk – many overly emancipated people cannot handle flowers. However, it is unlikely that the senora, although not in her first youth, but agile and accustomed to male attention, is so sensitive to the trends of youth.

The bouquet was kindly received and Henry was called ‘sweet’ and received a kiss on the cheek. Emma listened to his flowery compliments for a while, but at one point she interrupted abruptly:

-What do you want, Henry? Just don’t say that you were inflamed with some unknown passion for my fading charms.

Henry told it honestly. Monetti dreams of becoming a pilot, but understands the unbridgeable gap between his modest achievements and his cherished red car, so he is ready to settle for sports cars. Moreover, he has extensive experience.

– Why did you come to me and not to Bruno? – Emma asked. -Are you a coward?

“Not at all,” Henry assured. – Just now…

He fell considerably silent. What can I say, Bruno sent him to all the letters of the Italian alphabet and all that.

“You know, tomboy, what influence Aunt Emma has compared to all the temps,” the señora grinned. – There used to be managers. Flint. Unlike today’s people, they are all schemers and careerists.

Henry tried to show with all his facial expressions how much he regretted the glorious times of the past.

“I have some influence, no doubt, but it is not enough to please me merely with a pretty face,” said Emma categorically.

– I have a huge desire, I agree to the most modest compensation.

“He agrees,” Emma snorted. – Do you know how many such fast people there are? You have zero results. What should I tell my bosses? About a burning desire?! Don’t make me laugh about my graying hair.

– Give me a chance to at least go to the test drives!

– Give him the tests! Even racing for us in sports prototypes is a mile away.

– Is there really no way out? – Henry frowned. – Senora Tomasi, I will do everything for you, I will not be in debt…

– And what can you do? – Emma grinned. “I have no doubt you don’t have a cent to your name.” And just try to pretend you’re in love. You will fall into my eyes.

To be honest, Henry did not rule out this method as the last straw. In war, as in war, all means are good.

– Don’t lose your patience! – Emma smiled. – I like brave people. In 1952 a count was after me. Why are you grinning? A real count, with such a pedigree and even a family castle, albeit dilapidated. He was brave – it’s scary, he also wanted to make a career, but he soon realized that you can’t get away with courage alone, he had a few accidents, miraculously survived, lost interest and stopped racing. Now he plays golf or polo.

“I’m not giving up,” Henry assured.

– Yes, I can see he’s stubborn. Plus you don’t even have a lock. Show me the result in the race, then I will at least pay attention to Bruno, they say, he is a promising guy. Connect it first. Otherwise there’s no point in even starting a conversation, the bouquet is cute, but I’m not going to recommend someone I don’t know based on flowers alone, I don’t even hope so.

– How can I show it, in our slow car? – Henry was confused.

– What did you want? – Emma said roughly. – A true racer will show true passion in every bucket. Monetti only likes such people. Why are you blacked out? I’m not saying you have to win, the most important thing is to jump over your head.

In fact, there is no highway as such; on normal days these are simply public roads connecting the surrounding villages scattered across the surrounding foothills. Over the long distance, merciless against the bikes, the stretched peloton suffered loss after loss, and halfway through the race Henry was already on his way to eighth place. He regularly pushed the rev arrow to a dangerous line, but did not exceed it. The most important thing is to be able to stay on this elusive edge: maintain a high speed without flipping the bike.

Okay, no rain. No matter how unhappy poor Georges is, you don’t want anyone to fall into the treacherous trap of a wet track. You fly at your own speed, without suspecting that the asphalt in the next bend will no longer be the same. The grip of the wheels on the road changes suddenly and irrevocably, in the blink of an eye – and you are not the owner of your car at all, but only a passenger.

– What is the latest news about Georges? – Henry asked, pulling his glasses over his face.

“Nothing new in principle,” sighed Mr. Baker. “They found multiple fractures and serious head injuries.

“Poor Georges,” Henry shook his head.

“He regained consciousness and spoke, albeit with difficulty.

– At least something positive.

– His parents and wife should arrive. There are no neurology specialists at the local hospital; they have called in other doctors and are considering transporting him to the capital.

-Can I visit him?

– I think so. The only thing is that it’s too late for visitors after the race, we’re going Monday morning.

– Necessary. I spoke to the boys before the start, many are going.

– Of course, of course. Georges will be so happy. Outwardly he is strict and unsociable, but deep down he is still a romantic.

– I had no doubts.

“Henry, are you…” Edward hesitated. – Let’s be careful, shall we…

“Unfortunately, we are not in a position, Mr. Baker, to be cautious.” Everything will be fine.

And unexpectedly for himself, Henry placed his hand on his boss’s shoulder, squeezing his palm lightly. What kind of nonsense, you ask?

== To be continued…