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“Here.” Beatrice handed her a glass of champagne.
“Got anything stronger?” Aurora asked with a grimace, as she took the flute and sipped it gratefully.
Peter leaned across Beatrice. “He’s used to this, Rors. Sepang is known for its unpredictable weather. Last year was just the same, and he nailed it. Just sit back and enjoy the show.”
She did, or at least, she pretended to, for the next ten minutes. She sipped her champagne and kept a politely interested expression on her face in case the cameras swung to get a close up shot of her, as they often did at these events. Nothing made more riveting viewing in the midst of what could be an almost two hour long event than the occasional sticky beak at what the families of the racers were doing.
There were only ten laps to go when Aurora at last accepted that he would be fine.
That he was as good as home.
And just like that, she let her guard down, and tempted all the fates to laugh at her.
It happened so suddenly. Coming out of a sharp turn, a tyre of the car in front of him sped off, wheeling riotously across the track.
Leonardo Fontana, in his bright red car, didn’t stand a chance. He came around the bend with speed, just as the wheel flopped into his path.
The crowd let out a collective gasp, as his car left the bitumen and sailed into the air, flipping from back to front, and back again, before it crashed about twenty metres from where it had started. It skidded on the wet road, and then tipped on its side, as it hit the barrier. The sleek red machine was reduced to a hunk of scrap.
And inside it was Leonardo Fontana.
11
Aurora lifted her hands to her face, and stood. Her eyes were drawn to the big screen, and all she could see was the mangled wreck. The car’s whole side was crumpled. Beatrice, beside her, was frozen. Even Peter was lost for words.
“Oh, God, No.” Aurora shook her head from side to side, her body shaking like a leaf as the squeal of ambulances heralded the arrival of the safety team. “No, no, no, no, no.”
She looked at the screen again, only to see her own image reflected back at her. “Shit.” She swore, and turned away. “What’s happening?” She gripped Beatrice’s hand, so hard that Beatrice yelped. “Peter, what’s happening?’
“Hang on.” Peter craned forward, over the balcony, so that he could see the full sight of the crash. “They’re lowering the car. Hang on.”
Aurora looked at the screen now, and she could see what Peter was describing. The Ferrari was tipped back onto its bottom, gently. A swarm of paramedics and Ferrari officials crowded around the vehicle, making it impossible to see anything.
It felt like forever, but in fact, it took only minutes.
“He’s walking!” Peter exclaimed. “He’s walking!”
Aurora leaned over the balcony, to see for herself. Sure enough, Leonardo was moving with all his usual strength, away from the wreck. He undid the helmet and threw it carelessly onto the grass. His eyes scanned the crowds, then focussed on the Ferrari box.
“Oh, thank God.” Aurora whispered, and then, her legs gave out on her. She collapsed to the ground, and pulled her knees to her chest. “Thank God.”
Leonardo burst into the small platform moments later, to the sound of rapturous applause from the crowd. But still, Aurora stayed on the ground.
He pushed past those who would have wished him well, pausing only to put a reassuring hand on his sister’s shoulder as she passed. He crouched down and put his hands under Aurora’s arms, lifting her with him, and holding her against his chest. “I’m okay.” He promised huskily. “I’m okay.”
Several paramedics and Ferrari team members came through the doors after him.
“Signore Fontana, you must allow us to check you over.”
“When I’m ready,” he responded fiercely, without taking his eyes off Aurora’s stricken face. “I told you I have to do something first.”
Aurora blinked, finally taking in the situation. She reached out and put her hands on either side of his face. “You’re okay,” she murmured thickly, with a small nod.
She stared at his face, and felt as though her whole world made sense. “I thought you were dead.” A sob erupted out of her. “I thought you’d died. And all I could think… all I could think… was that I hadn’t said yes. That you might have died without knowing that I want to be with you for all my life.” She wrapped her arms around him and held him tight. “Oh, Leo, in case you’re ever wondering, my answer is yes.” She sobbed again, not caring who saw. He was okay, and all that mattered was that he always would be. “Now please let these guys have a look at you.”
“We need to talk,” he whispered in her ear. “Later.”
She nodded, and kissed him gently on the lips. “There’ll be time.”
