Super Series Introduction

This is an entirely new story with a motor sport theme, drawing from my experiences of closely following motor racing for several seasons now and being as fascinated by the behind the scenes action as the actual racing.


The workshop was busy and noisy. It was also tidy and set in a bright airy industrial unit, but the heavy machines were in use and the only person sitting down was in front of a computer setting up the machine beside him while the rest were carrying pieces of metal or doing intricate doing fine detailing. In the far corner of the workshop a long haired welder was finishing off a small roll cage which looked like it would fit nothing that was even remotely road legal but would probably become someone's favourite expensive play toy.

“Tam!” the yell across the shop floor was loud, but not as loud as it needed to be to cut through either the industry or the ear defenders. “Tam!” the man shouting sighed and picked up a set of ear defenders from the rack beside the door.

The business had splashed out the year before on an expensive set up for it's workers, upgrading from ear defenders which were great for ear protection but terrible for communication, to ear defenders with radio sets built in. They were still getting used to them and often forgot they could now talk to each other when they needed to, but they did come in handy, especially the supervisors set which could scan through to a specific frequency set for each pair to have private conversations when needed.

“Tam, the old man wants you.”

“I'm busy.” the indignant reply was not unexpected, no welder wanted a chat mid-weld.

“He said drop whatever you're doing. He's just got off the phone with someone called Schwarz and they've got a deal agreed.”

“Sweet!” Only seconds later, Tam was quite literally dancing across the workshop. She did a little spin when she reached the supervisor, removing her ear defenders with a flourish.

“Okay, so I'm guessing it's good news.”

“Oh yes, fantastic news.”

“Who's Schwarz then?” the supervisor had thought it was a new business contract, but Tam was far too happy for that to be the case.

“Only the owner of Team Lite Sport. Yes!” Tam pumped a fist. “Finally, a foot in the door.”

“You don't put your foot in the door, you kick it open.” the observation was made from knowledge of working for Tam's family for nearly two decades. They were great employers, they looked after their workers like family, but when they wanted something they were not subtle about making sure they got it.

“And this time we've smashed it.” Tam began to go through the door toward to the admin section.

“Tam? Lite Sport run in half a dozen championships. Which one?”

“Harry, what have I always wanted to race? Come on?”

“You're kidding me? They are never letting you loose in one of them.”

“Bingo!” Tam was beside herself with excitement. “Super Series, here we come.” she did another spin and then jigged down the corridor.

Harry shook his head. He remembered how excited Tam had been when she won her first kart race at eight years old, now she was being given the chance to race in the biggest car series in the country and he genuinely expected her to leave the competition wondering what had hit them. She had won just about every other championship she ever entered, why not the Super Series as well?

It was always nice walking along the garages on a Saturday, it was more relaxed and there were fewer people around. The spectators were generally the die hard fans who knew exactly who they wanted to see and the teams, while busy, were not so frantic as they would be on race day. It would soon get more exciting, qualifying was after lunch and that was the main event of the day, but for now it was nice to have a stroll and say hello to some of the faces that were slowly becoming familiar.

“Morning, Tam.”

She nodded to the rival driver who was walking the other way, bacon roll in hand. “Good morning, Rick. It's a bit late for breakfast isn't it?”

That got a shrug. “I never turn down bacon.”

Tam smiled. “Sounds right to me.”

Only seconds later another voice called out her name. This was someone she had known for years and who attended so many racing events he was known by everyone along the Paddock and most fans as well. Tam had just been found by one of the more popular journalists who wasted no time getting straight down to it, well aware of the tight time schedules everyone ran to on these manic weekends.

“Second fastest in free practise by a tiny margin, do you think you can translate that into a pole position?”

“Practise and qualifying are always miles apart but it was a very good indicator and I do love this circuit. My engineers have done a fantastic job, the car's dialled in, if we're not at least in the top six I'll be very disappointed. Saying that, I think pole is very possible this weekend.”

It was a positive interview but it was just more pressure on Tam to perform, not that pressure bothered her. She was new to the Super Series but not new to high level racing and as one of the very few women to have breached the barrier into top motor sport she was always closely watched. The first four meetings of the year had already earned her two podium positions but first place was so far elusive and she was determined to get to that top spot before the end of the season, to prove her ability to the fans and her sponsors.

Now sat in the car waiting for the session to start, Tam's head bobbed from side to side as she visualised the circuit, reminding herself of the gear changes and braking points that were critical if she wanted to put in the perfect lap. She knew she was sat in a beast of the car, a monster that countless people would give anything to drive, but that after years of support in other cars, Team Lite Sport had finally given her the opportunity to prove herself in. Eight large cylinders arranged at ninety degrees to each other, it was one of the legendary V8 engines, it delivered brute force and an engine note the fans adored. The cars of the Super Series were not the super economical technological marvels most people drove, but the powerful monsters most people wished they could drive and Tam loved that she had finally had the chance to step into a drive in the series she had watched since childhood.

“Tam,” Gaz, Tam's lead engineer was kneeling beside her at the open door. “Our weather Meister thinks it's going tip down in about twenty minutes so you've got to drive your arse off from the first second.”

“Will do.” Tam nodded. “Has anyone opened a book yet?”

Gaz smiled. “Of course. Do you want to put your name down for a time?”

“Sixteen minutes in.” Tam did not hesitate.

The team's weather Meister was their most junior engineer, a lad who had joined them the year before on work experience and impressed them enough to be offered an apprenticeship on the spot. It had turned out that he also had an uncanny ability to predict the weather, so if he said it was going to rain he was believed and a betting system had been quickly put in place. When the team principal, stood on the pit wall, felt the first spot of rain it was officially raining and whoever got the exact time was the winner.

Very soon after, the car was being pushed out of the garage and into the pit lane. By the time they were ready and the engine was fired up they had missed the chance to be at the front of the queue but they were only a few cars back so Tam was hopeful. When the weather was likely to turn so early into the qualifying session it was essential for her to get some free space on the track so she could set a good lap time while the track was still fast. Of course, all of the teams had the same idea so it was going to be busy and there was an element of luck involved in getting out at the right time to get that space.

Until the track was opened and while Tam was waiting in the queue there was a lot running through her mind, questions as to whether the set up was right, whether she could hit the sweet spot in turn three and nail that apex she had been struggling with, whether their apprentice was right about the weather, whether she really should have drunk that second energy drink so soon before qualifying.

Flags waved, the session was open.

“Nail it, Tam.” Gaz ordered over the radio.

“Get off the mic, you plonker.” Tam's response was predictable and expected. She heard the laugh and smiled. She had known Gaz for years and they both knew exactly how the other thought. Having a good engineer was important, getting the person who knew what you liked and what you needed made all the difference when the competition was so close and hundredths of seconds were a critical advantage over the other cars on the grid.

It was only minutes into the qualifying session and every single car was on the track. They all had the same prediction about the weather and no one wanted to risk not getting that all important fast lap in before the rain came and slowed everything down.

Tam was frustrated to find herself stuck in a pack of cars all jostling for position. It would not hurt for the first few laps when they were all warming up the cars and tyres, but she had to somehow get space for a fast lap or it would ruin her chances for a good first race.

“Oh come on.” she muttered with frustration as the cars in front of her bunched up. Someone had slowed down to make a space ahead of them but it was causing a concertina effect and she was stuck in the middle. They were all still travelling at high speed, they would get their fastest laps in somehow, but without that elusive gap there was little chance of the perfect lap being put together.

After the back straight there was a beautiful complex of three corners, getting it wrong in the first made it nearly impossible to make the next two but it flowed so well it was loved by many.

Tam hooked up the first of the turns perfectly, feeling smug at the exact entry to the complex she enjoyed. She missed a car behind her getting it all wrong and disappearing through the edge of the gravel in a cloud of dust. Then she was suddenly too busy to worry about anything else going on.

In the middle of a pack of cars, sandwiched on all sides, Tam's car went from delivering every ounce of power she demanded to dead in a moment. There was no warning, no misfire or flicker, the electronic display switched off, the lights on the wheel went out, everything was gone in an instant.

The only thing Tam could think of before the first impact was “Bugger, this'll hurt”.

A dozen cars were trying to get through a tiny gap, there was no way to avoid the one in the middle who abruptly slowed.

From inside the car, Tam did not know exactly what was happening. There was the predicted impact, a violent lurch and a spin. She let her hands leave the wheel and closed her eyes, waiting for everything to stop.

Fans lining the bank at the famously spectacularly corner let out a collective cry of sympathetic pain. Their view was much better, they could see the crash as it happened and even by the excitable standards of the Super Series this was an impressive one.

Further to the back, the red team Flamebird car completely misjudged the entry to the complex and speared straight through the corner. In the middle, Tam's purple liveried Lite Sport car was suddenly being shunted. Gravel dust was thick in air, there was chaos on the track.

The Flamebird car re-emerged from the cloud of dust, still travelling at speed trying to rejoin the circuit, but the dust had hidden the stricken Lite Sport now side on and directly in front of it.

There was a thud that was audible above the noise of a dozen v8 engines and the momentum of the Flamebird car carried both it and the Lite Sport into the tyre wall at the edge of the track for a final impact and an abrupt halt.

Rick Arlow, driver of the unfortunate Flamebird, was still trying to work out what had just happened when he saw the bright orange overalls of a track Marshall at his window. He gave a thumbs up and undid his harness as the Marshall wrestled with the door to help him out.

Only when Rick was helped out did he realise why the view in front of him had not made sense. He had not been looking at a stack of tires or some advertising boards, he had been looking at the remains of a car.

“Holy shit.” he muttered, ignoring the hands trying to usher him away and joining the scrum of bodies attempting to make a space between the cars so the trapped driver could be freed.

There was much pushing and shoving, pulling and pushing, but the heavy Flamebird was buried deep in the gravel and would not move without the assistance of a tractor attaching it to strops and dragging it out of the way.

In the minutes it took for this to happen, the Lite Sport driver did not move.

Tam could hear banging. It sounded like someone was at her bedroom door again telling her she was late. No, that was wrong, she was not in bed, she was in her car. That made no sense.

The banging was still going on. There were people outside trying to open her door. They were wearing orange, that was important but why? Tam took far too long to come to the conclusion they were Marshalls and that meant she must have just had an accident.

There was relief from all sides when people saw Tam move. She lifted her head and slowly looked around before her hands moved to the clasp of her harness.

The crumpled door took the assistance of a pry bar, but it did eventually give in to the heaves from Rick Arlow and the few Marshalls able to fit around it.

Rick was pushed aside but not before getting a clear view and he was horrified by what he saw. The smash had pushed Tam's seat across the car, sheering the mounting bolts, but her feet and legs were still in the small space that remained of the foot well.

It was only when Tam attempted to get out of her seat that she too discovered something was wrong with her legs. One moved freely, but there was a sudden shooting pain when she tried to free her right leg.

Even from his place outside the car, Rick could hear the cry as a Marshall reached in to help free Tam. People were still trying to usher him away to the Doctor, but he was having none of it, not when Tam was still stuck. He was the one who had pinned her against the tire wall and caused so much damage, it may have been unintentional but it was still his fault and he had to make sure she was not seriously injured as a result of his mistake.

After a great deal of swearing, it was discovered that Tam's ankle had been caught between the brake and accelerator peddles, somehow getting jammed there as the car was bent out of shape. It was not as badly trapped as first thought, with some gentle manipulation easing her leg out.

All they had to do then was lift Tam out of the wreckage of her car, pulling her out shoulders first and laying her gently on the gravel.

Tam was still dazed but she did not want to stay there, she wanted to get up and figure out what was going on.

Rick sat himself down beside her while they waited for the ambulance to arrive. He had already been told that he needed to go to the local hospital for a check up after admitting that he had blacked out briefly after the accident. “Just chill out, they're not going to let you go anywhere that's not by stretcher.”

Tam tried to focus on the man talking. He was not dressed in orange, he was in a race suit. She recognised him but only vaguely.

Now he was sat down and the frantic activity to free Tam was done with, Rick was once again aware of the crowd, of thousands of people watching quietly, some discussing what they had seen but most silently watching. “How are you feeling?” he asked, trying to block out thoughts of the so many eyes on them.

Tam looked at him. “I, er, I don't know what happened.”

“You just had a big accident, we both did. That's why they're not letting you move.”

Tam slowly raised a hand to her helmet, to the buckle.

“You won't get away with that.” Rick gently moved her hand back to her side. “Not until you've been checked out.”

“What happened?”

“You got shunted big time.”

There was no opportunity for talking after that, not with the drivers being rushed off the track and to the helipad with the waiting air ambulance ready to take them the short distance to hospital. Rick's injuries were not considered dangerous, but no one could be sure that Tam did not have serious injuries after the high speed and number of impacts she suffered in that one incident.

The next morning, race day, Rick was in his team shirt walking through the paddock to the Flamebird hospitality unit after a brief conversation with his engineers in the eerily empty garage as they finished the last of the packing before heading home early. He did not have the luxury of an early finish, not when he had VIPs to entertain. In theory he could have cried off, said he still felt ill and left, but he was a part owner of the team and the VIPs and sponsors needed to be well treated especially when their chosen car would not be racing.

“Rick!”

The call made him turn.

“Do you have a minute to talk?”

“Sure,” Rick smiled, recognising one of the familiar journalists. “It seems like I've got too much free time today.”

“Yes, I saw your team packing up. Was there too much damage to the car?”

“You'd be amazed how much damage can be repaired over night, the car isn't the problem. I'm the one who's not been cleared to drive today.”

“But you look absolutely fine. What's wrong?”

“It's just a precaution. I blacked out after the crash, only for a few seconds, but the Doctor doesn't want to take any chances. It's frustrating because I do feel as though I could drive but at the same time I'm feeling a little battered so it's probably for the best.”

“I'm glad to hear you're feeling okay after that, it looked horrific. What happened from your point of view?”

“You have to remember that the view from the driver's seat is somewhat limited but, I was at the tail end of the group and we were all pushing for advantage, unfortunately I didn't get the entry to the complex quite right and with everyone ahead of me slowing down I just had to go straight on and hope I could slot back in after the corner. What I didn't see because of all the muck in the air was Lite Sport sat right in front of me. By the time I realised it was there it was too late to do anything”

“You certainly raced to the rescue to help free Tam from the car, what was going through your head at the time?”

Rick thought for a second, doing his best to ignore the people who had stopped to listen to the interview. It was odd how he was happy to race with so many people watching him but actually being able to see his audience up close was so off putting. “I was just really hoping she was okay. It was a heavy impact and especially when it became clear that she wasn't moving it was, well, it was heart stopping if I'm honest.”

“Have you spoken to Tam since?”

“No. We were both rushed off for tests when we got to the hospital and I didn't get back here until three this morning, I've hardly had a chance to do anything yet except have a quick chat with the team.”

“Perhaps you'll get to see her today.”

“If she's been let out of hospital yet I'll be surprised.”

“I saw her a few minutes ago hopping around on crutches.”

“Really?” Rick was relieved to hear that, it meant her injuries were no where near as serious as first feared. “That's great news. Not the crutches obviously, but when we were on the way to the hospital there were concerns she might have internal injuries.” he let out a long breath. “I'm glad she's alright. It really proves how well the cars are made and how much protection is them that anyone can come out of an accident like that and be up and about the next day.”

“Thank you.” As much as the journalist liked to talk to someone who was happy to give answers, he had a lot of people to get to in the day and not long to catch them before the first race. “And I hope to see you racing again at the next meeting.”

“You can count on it.” Rick nodded and began his walk again. He was stopped a few times by passers by, fans who wanted an autograph or a photograph with him, and a couple of people from other teams saying hello and asking how he was feeling. He was going to head directly for the hospitality unit, but instead of cutting between two of the large trucks which he knew would give him the shortest route to his destination he walked a little further to the Lite Sport garage.

He was expecting to see an empty garage, without their driver or car in any condition to race they would have packed up just as his own team had, but instead he saw the remains of the car still sat in place in the middle of the garage floor. There were no tools and all of the other team oddments had already been packed, but there were people looking round the car and viewing the remains of the inside.

Tam was in the garage talking to several people wearing hospitality tags while leaning heavily on a set of crutches, no doubt they were talking about the incident.

Rick loitered at back, not sure if he wanted step inside and say something or whether it was best just to walk away and wait until emotions would not be running so high.

“Ah, Rick,”

He was spotted before making up his mind.

“Come to inspect your handiwork?” This was said by Lenny Schwarz, the team Principal, who rarely missed a new arrival in his midst.

Rick could not hold back the wince. “Believe me, it was absolutely unitentional, I had no idea-”

“We know,” Lenny cut him off. “I've watched the incident back enough times and so have the stewards. You were unsighted and by the time you hit her she already been turned around by three other cars. It's been a busy night in the garages.”

“But what caused it?” Rick had not even seen a playback of the incident so he still did not what triggered the event.

It was Lenny's turn to wince. “The car had a complete electrical failure. It just switched everything off mid corner. Tam was a passenger. We'll go through everything to find out how it happened but the car's a write off, I can't see how we can salvage anything from it.”

Rick understood the pain in Lenny's eyes. The cars were a huge investment and while there had to be a budget for accident repairs the total replacement of a car was tough pill to swallow. He was already dreading the repair bill for his own car, he knew how difficult it would be for Lite Sport, an independent team with a similar budget to his own. “Have you got another body shell?”

Lenny pulled a face. “Only the old one this one replaced and we ripped out everything we reasonably could to put in here so there's not much left of it. It's why we've got the sponsors in, I hope we can convince them to cough up a bit more to help but it's a tough sell.”

Rick nodded. “That I know. Look, I can't promise anything especially with our own rebuild to do but if you're struggling for anything give me a call, we might be able to figure something out.”

“Thank you. I'll keep it in mind.”

“Hello, Rick.” Tam had finished her conversation and noticed who Lenny was speaking to. She carefully made her way around the car to them.

As she came round the corner, Rick was able to see the air cast on Tam's lower leg and the care she was taking to put no weight on the injury. “Tam.” he nodded. Although they had spoken before it had only ever been briefly, just platitudes when their paths crossed in the paddock or they sat near to each other in driver briefings. Since Tam had only just arrived in the Super Series it meant they were still relative strangers. He knew some of the other drivers did not approve of her, not for gender, she had a long and proven history as a driver, but not everyone appreciated the extravagant two tone long hair and perpetually perfectly coloured nails. Purple and lilac was a colour scheme not many women could pull off, but Tam had both the build and personality for it. “I heard a rumour you were up and about but I didn't believe it. You're looking a lot better than you were when I last saw you. How's your leg?”

Tam pulled a face. “I'm back to hospital tomorrow for a scan, it might be broken but it's so swollen they couldn't tell. I just wish I know how I did it.”

“I can't say exactly, but I know I had a hand in it. The reason I really came over was to say sorry. I had no idea you were there until it was too late.”

“Don't worry about it. To be honest, I don't remember what happened, I barely remember leaving the pit lane. My first clear memory is waking up in hospital this morning.”

“And they still discharged you?” Rick had needed to be very eloquent to not be admitted to the ward and even then it was only because the engineer who went to collect him swore faithfully that he would not be left alone for a next twenty-four hours. It was an easy promise when he would be at a racing event where he was in such high demand.

“She didn't give them much of a choice.” Lenny had mixed feelings about it. He was glad she was there to help with the hospitality side but not impressed that she had gone against Doctor advisement. She did already have an appointment for Monday morning at a local private hospital at least, so she had not taken complete leave of her senses and Lenny was subtly making sure an eye was kept on her all day.

Tam shrugged. “People have seen me in the Paddock now so there can't be any rumours about me being seriously injured. All I need is rehab over the summer break and I'll be fine for the next round. It's the car we need to worry about. I want to know what happened.”

“People first, things seconds.” Lenny reminded his driver.

“Faye was people, now look at her, poor thing.”

“Faye?” Rick asked.

Lenny turned in response to a call from across the garage. “Ah, excuse me.” he said before extricating himself from the drivers.

“Don't you have a name for your car?”

“Not a repeatable one.” Rick smiled.

Tam returned the smile. “I feel that way sometimes too.”

“Are you really feeling okay?” Rick lowered his voice as he asked the question. “I know I'm not feeling too great and you came off a lot worse than I did. You were pretty out of it when you got pulled out of the car.”

“Honestly?” Tam lowered her voice to match his. “I still feel pretty out of it. I wouldn't trust me to operate a toaster right now, but I can hardly ditch people who pay thousands of pounds to come and watch me race. I'm going to have lunch with them and then I'll find someone to take me home.”

“Have you told Lenny?”

“Of course not. He'd send me home right now. As soon as I get to the team tent my plan is to sit on the sofa and not move, people can come to me.”

“Good plan, I may copy it.” Rick hesitated before speaking again, but his request was a genuine one. “When you have your tests tomorrow, could you send me a message to let me know how you are?”

“Feeling guilty? Maybe I should watch the video. Lenny hasn't let me see it yet.”

Rick looked over at the car. “I'm going to be watching it when I get into the hospitality tent, if you really want to see it I'm sure we can make room for you.”

“I don't want to impose on your party.”

“You wouldn't be imposing, believe me, and,” Rick raised his hands in a conciliatory gesture. “I do feel bad about what happened, I don't want you thinking I'm reckless or a danger on track. I know you've got a huge fan base and right now I feel like I've got a bullseye painted on my back.”

“Ah ha, now we're getting to the truth,” Tam was not annoyed, she had seen the ploy all too plainly but at least Rick was able to be honest about it. “You want a bit of mutual PR time to stop a social media lynching.”

“It would be nice, that and it's a good excuse to get to know the undisputed prettiest driver on the grid.”

Tam laughed, appreciating the compliment. “But surely Del has that title.” Del Flittern was the bodybuilder turned race driver who had used the money gained in a successful modelling career to pay for the chance to drive his dream car.

“He can't fill out a race suit quite like you.”

“I warn you now, I respond well to compliments.”

“I was hoping you would.”

Tam looked over to see Lenny busy in conversation and took that as a cue to escape. “Come on, before I get collared for anything else.”

“I'd normally suggest a quick get away.”

“I'll hop as quick as I can.”

There was a round of applause as the two drivers entered the tent. They were considered the stars of the show at any race, but after their hospital trip the day before they drew an extra rowdy greeting, all the more for Tam's unexpected appearance in the Flamebird's VIP area.

It was a well laid out space, with covered tables and chairs, colour coordinated floor mats, a small sofa suite in the far corner, catering tables along the wall and a large projector screen. The transformation from a trailer and plain awning into a luxurious entertaining area was one of the dark arts of the hospitality trade in the Paddock. People would pay handsomely to be fed and watered by their favourite teams, the VIP tag and the chance to spend time with a famous racing driver were rarely turned down by the lucky few. Most of the people in the room were sponsors and their guests, a few were well moneyed fans and even fewer were fans who had been lucky enough to win hospitality tickets.

“Ladies and Gentleman, it looks as though Rick as a good excuse for keeping us waiting, for once.” Jonathon Matthers had been keeping his guests entertained as well as he could, as was his usual job when his business partner was doing his famed disappearing act. “Tam Hollingborne, welcome. I don't think anyone was expecting to see you at the circuit today and certainly not in our company. How did Rick persuade you to join us?”

A microphone was rapidly given to Rick, who held it up for Tam to speak into.

It was really one of the duties that went with the life, Tam had been expecting it and did not mind. “A little bribery and a lot of flattery.”

Rick took back the microphone as Tam was offered a seat. “It turns out Tam hasn't watched the recording of what happened yesterday either and since Jon promised to let me see it with you all this morning I thought it was only right to invite Tam over.”

A spare microphone was found and passed to Tam while Jon and Rick dropped into an obviously well practised double act routine with the questions they knew their fans would want answered. Having Tam with them added an extra perspective on the weekend and she was not shy but she was careful to edit her answers to cause least offence possible when she did not know her audience and they were not her core group of fans.

It was only a couple of minutes before the promised video was prepared for viewing on the large projector screen and all eyes turned to watch.

Tam did not often watch herself driving unless Lenny or Gaz were critiquing her, it was odd to realise this was lost few minutes of her life she was seeing, time she had no memory off and yet she must have been concentrating on every second. Unbidden, a hand went to her mouth as the first shunt happened.

The on board footage from Rick's car had been superimposed in a corner of the screen, showing the cloud of dust obscuring his vision.

It was uncomfortable viewing, Rick found himself watching Tam rather than the screen but her expression gave little away. She was staring intently at the screen, watching the struggle to free her from the car seeing so many people doing all they could while she was barely conscious. Only when the pair of them were being taken to the ambulance did the recording get paused.

“So there we have it. What are your first thoughts?” Jonathan asked.

“We were both incredibly lucky to come out of it so well and that no one else was hurt. It could have been a lot worse.” Rick was quick to speak. “I don't know how many of you have seen the cars up close today but I don't think the video can do justice to the amount of damage they took and kept us safe. It's also impressive to see how quick the marshalls were, everything felt a lot slower at the time but watching now I can appreciate how quickly they reacted and got to us.”

Tam raised the microphone. “And watching that I hope I'm not the only one who noticed how quickly Rick moved. Considering he had just been involved in a major incident he was impressively rapid getting to my door,” she looked across to Rick and was pleased to note a reddening on his cheeks. “But don't think that absolves you for t-boning me, I'll be expecting you to buy the drinks for the rest of the season.”

Rick had to wait until the tent quietened down before he could respond. “So, what's your favourite drink?”

Tam smiled and opened her mouth to speak, but a voice from the doorway beat her to it.

“Generally the most expensive drink on the menu.”

Heads turned to see who had spoken.

Lenny was stood in the doorway with a disapproving expression on his face. “I turned my back for two seconds. Our hospitality is that way,” he pointed in the right direction. “It's the great big purple one with the life size cut out of you outside it.”

“Rick promised me sweets and you never let me have sugar.” Tam's face was a picture of innocence. Lenny had been warned early on by Gaz that she had a tendency to go hyperactive when given sweets.

There was a slight delay as Lenny was introduced to everyone and he was offered a microphone.

“I'm sorry to interrupt your meeting but, Jon please back me up on this one, racing drivers are great when they're in the car and on track but getting them to the car,” Lenny shook his head. “It's like trying to herd cats.”

“I think I've got to agree with you on that,” Jonathan was not going to pass up the opportunity to take a dig at his old friend. “You know I once had everyone chasing around the paddock trying to find Rick five minutes before a race started only to discover him chatting to some fans while in the queue for an ice-cream.”

“The race got brought forward,” Rick objected. “I thought I still had twenty minutes.”

There was a little more ribbing, team Principals enjoying the chance to get in a low blow against the drivers, before Jonathan realised that Lenny was not moving away from the doorway and clearly wanted a polite opportunity to get away. “Okay, well I think we have to let Tam go now but I'm sure we'd all like to thank her for her time and on behalf of everyone here I'd like to wish you a speedy recovery.”

Tam was quick to say her thanks and smile for everyone clapping before making her way back outside.

“You wander off with another team, when you're in this state? Do you have any idea how worried we were about you?” Lenny had been genuinely concerned when he realised she was no longer in the garage. He had noticed very quickly that Tam was not quite herself and was determined to make sure she did very little of anything and he had only not sent her straight home because he did not want her on her own.

“They showed the video of what happened yesterday. I had to see it.”

“You could have just watched it with us.”

“You said you didn't want me watching it until my head was better but I don't see how that makes a difference.”

“Alright, we'll sit down in the trailer and have a chat about it. I've already told everyone you're not doing a full Q and A today because you're still feeling a bit tender, but you'll do photos and signatures if they come to you.”

“Yes, Boss.”

“And when I say you've had enough I'm getting Gaz to drive you home and he's staying in your spare room tonight to make sure you're alright.”

“Have I suddenly lost all ability to make decisions for myself?” Tam had been planning to leave early but she did not appreciate being told what she was going to do.

“While you're concussed, yes. I've already had the bollocking of my life from your Father for not making sure you stayed in hospital and that was not a call I wanted to take when I had the team running up and down the paddock trying to find you.”

“He's hardly a good one to talk, Dad skipped out of hospital more than once while he was still racing. I'm okay, really. I'm a bit spaced out that's all.”

Three days were spent in a private hospital while Tam had tests run. No chances were taken with her health, both at the insistence of her family and her team, she was give the best treatment and kept in to give her quiet time to recuperate away from everything. It was too quiet for Tam, who was used to never sitting still.

As a child she had spent weekends that race circuits and week days in school, then holidays helping in the workshop to earn her pocket money. As she grew older she got more involved in the business and learned her trade while weekends were still just as busy racing. Time off was a two week holiday each year where the family generally talked about cars and made their strategy for the next season and the people they needed to network with to get where was needed.

When Tam was allowed home she was still on crutches and under strict orders to put no weight on the foot until she gained consent from the specialist she was to see weekly and the physiotherapist who was giving her a careful regime of exercises she was to follow religiously if she wanted to be driving again after the six week summer break in the season. A scan had shown a small but clear break at the bottom of the fibula near to the point where it met the ankle. She was reassured that there was no reason why she should not be able to race when the time came but she would not be able go to work. It meant more free time that she was not used to having, more time spent twiddling her thumbs unless she could figure out an alternative plan.

Fortunately a plan for at least one day at the weekend came quickly when Lenny called her with information on a charity event he had been approached for a presence at. Tam jumped at the chance to get out of the house, especially when she found out it was barely an hour away and she had already been promised a lift there and back. Anything to get her out of the house before she went crazy.

She was just getting ready when her front door opened to the unannounced entry of her parents. They only lived next door, the two houses had been built on a plot of land they bought many years earlier and it had always been the intention for the smaller of the two to become Tam's when she was old enough. It was convenient and it meant Tam had no rent to pay but it was a little too convenient sometimes when her parents had not learned to knock before just walking in.

“We're going out for a bit of shopping, do you need anything? Or fancy coming out with us?” Tam's mum asked by way of greeting.

“I'm just about to go out the door, Mum.”

“Where?”

Tam looked down at her clothes, she was in full team colours, her branded shirt emblazoned with the Lite Sport logo and her dark trousers embroidered with the same design. “Where do you think? I'm representing the team at an event. I'm being picked up in five minutes.”

“I thought we had an agreement with Lenny that you were doing nothing until the MotorSport Expo.” her Father was not impressed. “You're still recovering, you're not even allowed to put weight on your foot yet. How are you supposed to do anything?”

“I'm not doing anything, I'm just smiling sweetly and signing autographs. Lenny asked me if I felt up to it, there are already a few of the other drivers going and he thought it would be a nice little trip out for me. I'm getting fed, watered and ferried here and back again.”

“He shouldn't have even asked.”

“Dad,” Tam glowered. “I'm old enough to make my own decisions and I feel fine now. There's no pressure today, it's for a children's charity, it's a bit of a laugh at a karting track that's all.”

“Don't you dare get a kart.”

Tam rolled her eyes. “No, Dad.”

“Is there anything you want us to get while we're out?” Tam's Mum ignored the Father Daughter spat, she knew Tam's mind would not be changed and her father was just being over protective.

“I don't think so, I had a load of stuff delivered yesterday.”

The sound of a car door slamming made everyone turn to the still open front door.

“Good morning all.” the bright greeting came from Rick as he walked to the door.

“You're my lift?”

“Didn't Lenny tell you?”

“He just said transport had been arranged, I was expecting a taxi.”

“I have to come by this way anyway so I volunteered.” he shrugged, then he focused on the other people in the hallway. “You must be Mr and Mrs Hollingborne, it's nice to meet you, I'm Rick Arlow.”

“Frank and May.” Tam's Father said as he shook the offered hand. “You're looking none the worse for the shunt.”

Tam found herself smiling as the men talked. Her father had complained early on that he did not get the chance to talk to many people during the race weekends and he missed the chats with the friends he had built up over the years who were now all involved in other events.

“We were in Italy for our wedding anniversary and we didn't know anything had happened until we got back to the hotel in the evening and I realised I had an answer phone message from Gaz saying 'Don't worry she's fine'. Then I saw I had half a dozen missed calls from Lenny and I knew she must have had an accident. To be honest I'm glad I heard the message before I saw the crash or we would have been panicking.” Tam's Father was naturally discussing the accident. He felt guilty for not being at the circuit the one time Tam him there. It was the first time in three years that they had missed a race weekend, but it had fallen on their thirtieth wedding anniversary and Tam had encouraged them to celebrate that rather spend their important day sitting at yet another circuit watching her race.

“Can we not keep talking about that, please.” Tam's Mother did not like to even think about it. She knew her daughter had a dangerous pastime and she hated that but she also knew her daughter loved what she did so there was no way she could persuade her to stop it. It had been bad enough back in the old days when Frank had raced cars, Tam following in his footsteps was not what she had intended but those dance lessons had done nothing to dissuade a young girl that Daddy did not have the best hobby in the world.

“Sorry, Mum.” Tam knew the drill, it was better to apologise and shut up than continue and cause a stand off. “We really should get going, we don't want to be late.”

Rick took Tam's bag and they made a quick get away.

When they were in the car, Tam stretched her legs and had a look at the interior. “This is a nice car, it's very comfy but,”

“But it's not what you were expecting?” Rick had been waiting for that. “It's Jon's car. Mine's in for a service so I stole it for the day. I keep telling him it's a bank manager's car but it is comfortable and it's surprisingly nice for a lazy drive. Speaking of cars, what's with the Q plate on that old Escort in your drive?”

Tam smiled at that. The mark 3 Ford Escort that been her first car, rescued before her father could sell it for scrap. She had used it for welding practice and over the years gone a little over board with the modifications until only the body shell was recognisable as the basic family car it had once been sold as. “Well, once upon a time a nice man bought a 1.6 L for his small family, when he got tired of it it got sold to a racing driver who needed a cheap run around. Eventually, his daughter got hold of it when she turned seventeen and replaced the little engine with a Hemi, gave it rear wheel drive and a six speed gear box. I put my first roll cage in it too and a couple of Dad's old race seats. It's officially the company test bed, it's the only way I could get insurance to drive it.”

Rick turned to give Tam a long look before remembering himself and turning back to concentrate on the road. “I don't know where to begin with that, it sounds like a monster.”

“It is. Going out in the rain with it is seriously only for the adventurous.”

“You must have been the coolest kid at school.”

“You'd think so, but most of the girls didn't like me because I wasn't girly enough and most of the boys were jealous of me. I hated school, I couldn't wait to leave. You probably had it easier.”

“Me and Jon were the school celebs.” Rick smiled. “I was the racer, he was business genius. He'd already made his first million before he turned eighteen, if it wasn't for him I would have failed business studies. I still don't have much of a business head on me if I'm honest, but I've always been able to talk to people better than he can and it was obvious I was going places with the racing so we decided we were better off as a double act. We're living the dream we first started talking about when we were twelve years old. The only difference is there's a lot more paperwork in real life.”

The hour long trip to the kart track felt like only minutes as the pair chatted about their past and the paths which had led them inexorably to the Super Series.

Tam soon learned that this well run event was in it's fifth year and the money raised was used to pay for holidays for children with serious illnesses who's complicated needs made it virtually impossible to enjoy a normal holiday without a great deal of help. It was certainly popular, with a fair like feel, lots of stalls and of course the main event being a celebrity led team race around the kart track. There were four Super Series drivers leading teams and two Rally Cross drivers, with much ribbing and laughter between them. As a non-driver for the day, Tam was given the all important job of drawing names from a hat to decide who would be joining the famous drivers on track. She was then given the chequered flag and would be handing out prizes after the finish.

There were plenty of people who wanted to talk to her, get autographs and take selfies. The busy time was a great way for Tam to forget her frustrations at being able to do so little. There was also time to get to know her fellow Super Series drivers, when they all sat down for lunch there was discussion between them about what they were doing for the weeks until the next race and what they did generally away from race weekends. It was a light hearted talk between peers who, other than racing, had surprisingly little in common.

“Who was the little girl you gave your hat too?” On the way home Rick was in a happy mood. The day had just been about helping a charity and they had raised a lot of money, but his team had won the race and he was ever the competitive driver who loved to show off. Not long after the race he had spotted Tam sat beside a young girl and her parents having a chat which lasted a surprisingly long time before Tam had taken off her team cap, signed it, and put it on the girl's head.

“That was the current under 11s British karting champion. She and her parents started following me a few years ago when I was running in the VWs, when she found out I started out racing karts she decided to have a go. She doesn't know it but I'm keeping a close eye on her results.”

“You're looking at mentoring her?”

“No, I just want to make sure she doesn't beat any of my lap records.” Tam smiled. “She's big fan and she's got a lot of talent, I've got plenty of time for kids like her. She's got a few years before it gets serious, which is time I need to spend on my own career. If either me or the car aren't ready for next race I don't know what's going to happen. I've been told I should be okay but it's not up to me, if the Doctor says no I'm screwed. As for the car.” Tam shrugged.

“Lenny said there's a new body shell coming into the work shop next week.” When Rick rang about the charity event he had also carefully asked about the team's progress. It was a touchy subject but one everyone wanted to know.

“That's what he told me, but that's a new car from scratch in a month, it's doable but only if all the bits arrive.”

Two weeks later, Rick had just finished setting up the FlameBird trade stand at the Motorsports show alongside Jon and their small sales team. It was the largest exhibition of it's type in the country, taking up five show halls and a huge outdoor arena, showing off every type of motor sport imaginable. Any company with anything to do with the trade was there and anyone with a love for all things combustion engine would be visiting over the five day event.

The first day would be for media and trade only, making it quieter but Rick expected a lot of impromptu interviews in addition to the ones already scheduled for him. It was times like this that Jon got it easy, not so many people wanted to speak to the team boss when the driver was there, but before any of the official business was due to take place, Rick wanted to stretch his legs and see who else was around.

“I'm going for a wander if you don't want me for a bit.” he announced.

Jon looked up from the fan of leaflets he had laid out in front of him. “The Lite Sport stand is two rows that way.” he pointed. “If she's not there the FH stand is in Hall B, turn left at the entrance it's right there.”

Rick treated Jon to a look. “I'm going for a wander, that's all.”

“Really? You go puppy eyed as soon as anyone so much as mentions her name. Don't even pretend you're not going straight to find her.”

“You're pushing your luck.”

“I'm doing no such thing, you know I'm right and for the record I think she's way out of your league but by all means go flirt while I do the work, just be back here for half ten.”

Rick frowned. “I thought you were meant to be my friend.”

“Sadly, I'm your best friend. Which is actually a good thing because if I wasn't I'd be going for a wander and making you stay here.”

Rick smiled at the deadpan delivery from his oldest friend. “I won't be long.”

“I won't be holding my breath, just don't be late.”

There was one thing Jon could always been relied upon for and that was to be the perfect wingman. No matter whether it was girls or mischief, Jon had always been the one either on look out duty or holding the tools and holding back a snigger. Of course, Rick was always willing to do the same in return and he was sure that was the secret of their success, well that and Jon's ability to always sniff out the successful investments.

He followed Jon's directions and soon found himself looking on with respect at the Lite Sport set up. They had maximised their space well and even had a small VIP area roped off for the selected lucky few. In it was Tam, sat at a table signing posters to be given away later.

“Sorry, sir, do you have a VIP pass?” a young woman in the Lite Sport colours was quick to set up to do her job. She was normally stuck in the office and this was her first chance to do something different. It was a welcome bit of extra pay and she wanted to show she was capable of more than her current role.

Rick treated her to a disarming smile. “No, but I'm sure Tam's expecting me.”

Hearing her name, Tam glanced up. When she did, she too smiled. “It's alright, Jenny, I sneaked into his hospitality area at the last race, so I think it's only fair to let him in.”

Jenny blinked and her jawed dropped as she realised who was stood in front of her. Of course she followed the Super Series, it was virtually compulsory with the job. “I'm sorry. Oh my God.”

“No, you're right, I'm the one being naughty.” Rick winked at the woman as he stepped by and sauntered over to Tam. “How are you doing? I thought I'd drop by before things get busy to say hello.”

“I'm doing pretty well now. I'm allowed to be weight bearing and we've got a new bodyshell sitting in the workshop. How's your rebuild going?”

“We're not far off. I'm not sure about your main display piece, isn't it a bit grisly?”

Tam turned to look at the old car on it's stand in full bent and battered glory. “You have no idea how many people have asked about it. When Lenny announced we were getting a brand new car people wanted to know exactly how much damage there was to the old one so he decided to show it off. I'm not going to get to talk about anything else, but it could be worse I suppose. How's your set up? You're just a bit down from us, aren't you?”

“Two rows down, just look for the huge exhaust display. We've got a little simulator set up for people to play on, anyone who beats my time gets a little prize and fastest of the week gets a hospitality package for a weekend.”

“We're just doing the old details in a jar routine, I have to pick out a couple of winners on Sunday afternoon.”

Both drivers knew how much the fans loved a freebie, it got everyone excited and helped no end with getting their media exposure up.

“Tam, you asked for a prompt.” Jenny cut in softly.

“Sure, thanks.” Carefully, Tam stood up, grabbing her crutches it what was now a well practised manoeuvre. “Are you on your way anywhere in particular or are you up for a walk?”

“I'm easy.” Rick shrugged.

Tam smiled even as she did not look up. “That's not something you want to advertise to a girl.”

“Hey.” the objection was only mild, Rick was playing. “Where are we heading?” he asked a minute later as they threaded through the early arrivals with ease.

“To the FH stand. I'll be going between the two all the show. Especially now I'm getting famous it's only fair I keep up with the family business. Most people know Lite Sport do all race prep and transport but FH is still pretty much unknown by all the race fans and a lot of them are potential customers. Dad wants me showing my face and doing the sales pitch for us. I don't mind but I wish the stands were closer together.”

“Ah, there you are. Good morning, Rick, I wondered when you'd be round.” May greeted the pair casually as they arrived at the stand with it's dazzling range of custom car parts. She did not often work for the company any more, preferring to enjoy the semi-retirement that came with her husband's success. Frank was more than happy to let her do that, encouraging her to have those shopping trips and girly days out he felt he had denied her when they were younger and far poorer because his racing obsession took all their money. The Motorsports show was that one special exception to her no work rule, it was far too busy and far too hectic for Frank to do it by himself and May did not trust their employees to keep him on the straight and narrow.

“Your Dad's just gone to get coffee.”

“Already?”

“You know he hates setting up. He took Jason with him, I think he's planning on doubling up.”

“Did he remember my drink?”

“It's in the corner. You know you really should cut down on that stuff, it's not good for you.”

“I've already switched to the sugar free, it's no worse than drinking coffee. Throw me a can, Mum, if Dad's having coffee I can have my energy drink.”

While they talked, Rick had a look around the stand at the things Tam's family were offering. They had an off road buggy on show which they had custom built from the ground up. Their selling point was that they made everything themselves in house, from the chassis to the gear knob nothing could not be handmade in their industrial unit in middle England.

For the most part they had brought peddles and gear knobs to sell, from the plain and simple to the most ornate, including a few that were gem encrusted and to Rick looked horrendous, but he had to acknowledge that someone would inevitably buy one even if only for a joke.

“Ah, Rick, have a coffee.” Frank had returned with his sales manager and did not look in the least bit surprised to see the other racing driver.

“Are you sure?”

“I always buy at least one extra cup that these affairs, you never know who'll turn up at your stand.”

“Thanks.” the offered drink was accepted.

“Have you had a chance to walk around yet? The vintage and classic hall is wonderful, I could spend all day in there.”

“I've only just finished setting up, I'm going to try and get a good look at one hall a day but it depends on whether I get left alone enough or not.”

“Don't let us stop you. You might as well have a hop around too, we don't need you about this morning, it's still quiet.”

Tam gave her father a look. “You twisted my arm to get me here and now you don't want me.”

“Go and enjoy yourself, find some new toys for the Escort.” Frank winked at his daughter. “Live a little.”

“I'm going switch the office coffee to decaf.” Tam threatened.

“Touch the coffee machine and you're fired.”

“You can't fire me, Dad, I'm a shareholder.”

“Watch me.”

“Do you get that sort of trouble from Jon?” Tam asked as she and Rick walked through the stands. They were going slowly as much to make it easy on her as to have a good look at what was on offer.

“All the time. What was that thing about living a little?”

Tam actually blushed when he asked the question. “Nothing.”

Rick saw the red cheeks and stopped. “Come on, there's a story there.”

“It's nothing.” Tam persisted.

“Can't I enjoy the joke too?”

“The joke at my expense.” Tam grumbled. “Apparently I don't go out and get drunk enough for someone my age. I should live a little instead of working all hours.”

“And?” Rick was sure there was more from Tam's expression. He wanted to know everything about Tam and anything that could make the all confident young woman blush had to be good.

“And us becoming friends has made me the butt of a lot jokes. Apparently, I've spent more time on my phone in the last two weeks than I have in the last year. They're so childish.”

Rick laughed. He had tried desperately to hide that every time he checked his phone at work it had been to see if he had another message from Tam, but Jon had busted him early on. “Where are you staying? Are you just over the road or on the other side of the over pass?”

“Over the road, we've learned to book way in advance. You?”

“Same. I'm having dinner with the sponsors tonight but how about we meet in the bar afterwards? We can live a little and get drunk.”

“Only if you're buying the bacon rolls in the morning.”

“I'll even buy the drinks tonight.”

“You're on.” Tam did not know where the evening would lead, but it was sure to be fun so long as she did not do something stupid. She normally ended up regretting what she did while drunk, she had a little too much fun and got carried away, that was the real reason she did not often go drinking. She did not dare tell her parents that, instead always pretending it was because she was paranoid of driving the morning after a heavy session and finding herself over the limit.

Hotel room. Yes, that was why the pillow felt wrong and the sheets did not smell right.

Hold on, that was a red shirt on the floor. Where did that come from? Oh.

Tam turned her head to look across the bed. The view confirmed her suspicions. The shirt was Rick's, in fact the room was Rick's. She had taken a wrong turn after a long evening in the bar and ended up in his bed by accident. Well, accident was probably the wrong term for it, she had been drinking heavily and she did like him. Tam's drunk self had obviously been brave enough to do what sober self would not dare to. She supposed it was all well and good so long as Rick was amicable when he woke up, not that they would have long to discuss it because there was light creeping in through the cracks in the curtains and hangover or not it would soon be time to get back to the show.

That was a good point. What time was it?

Tam reached for her phone, surprised to see it perched on the bedside table. She blinked after hitting the button, taking a moment to focus on the screen. “Oh crap.” she leapt upright and began the search for clothes.

Rick stirred. His first waking thought was to wonder if the previous night had been a dream, then he saw the bare back at the edge of the bed and smiled as he confirmed it had really happened. The smiled dropped as the back was rapidly covered by a shirt and more clothes were thrown on. “Making a quick exit?” he asked gently.

Tam turned. “It's ten past nine.”

“Oh shit.” Rick immediately leapt up. He had faithfully promised that he would be at the stand for quarter past nine to be there for the very first of the public arrivals, it was the only way he had been able to get Jon to leave him alone and enjoy his evening in the bar. Now he was going to get the worst 'I told you so' from his best friend he had ever had and possibly even be on the receiving end of The Look. He was in big trouble, it would take him at least fifteen minutes to get to the stand if he left straight away.

Tam paused as Rick rushed past her on his way to the bathroom. There was no doubting it, he had a nice body. At least for once alcohol had been responsible for her waking up somewhere she liked even if she did not know where it was going to lead, if anywhere. She shook her head, she had to get dressed, find her crutches and find her room so she could have a lightning fast shower and put on enough make up to mask the hangover.

It sounded as though Rick had the same idea when she heard the shower in the bathroom being turned on and Tam was ready to make a quiet exit when he appeared again, this time with a towel wrapped around his waist. “See you later?” he asked, seeing that Tam had obviously been about to slip out of the room.

Tam looked up at him, opening the door as she did so. “Of course. You owe me a bacon roll.”

Rick smiled. “So I do.”

Tam was busy signing everything the fans placed on her table and smiling for photographs. The last thing she felt like doing was smiling and chatting happily, but she put on the best show she could. As soon as she left Rick's room the hangover had hit and it was only getting worse in the heat of the event hall. When she saw Jenny closing the queue line it was a relief, only a few more people and she could stop pretending to be all enthusiasm and find somewhere quiet to have a drink and painkillers.

When the last few people were left in line, Tam saw movement in the corner of her eye and glanced over to see a large can of her favourite energy drink placed on the table beside her. She looked up.

Rick smiled and held up a paper bag from the restaurant.

Tam returned the smile before turning back to man waiting patiently for his Motorsport Show programme to be signed.

Rick waited patiently. He had received The Look from Jon, followed by a laugh for his hangover and the expected 'I told you so', but after having his phone alarm set for him he was allowed away from the Flamebird stand. Jon had actually demanded his phone and waited for Rick to hand it over so it's alarm could be set for following two mornings and with reminders for the important times he had to be either back at the stand or by the arena. It showed how upset Jon was that he opted for the naughty child treatment, but he had tolerated worse in the past and was sure to forgive Rick so long as he brought the goods in with both his driving skills and his persuasive conversation skills.