Page 14 of Jump Start

“Thank you. Yeah, that was tough. Eagan was in my sight for most of that. He put up a great fight, and I had to get creative with how to overtake him. Thanks to my team for their efforts, as always. Cheers,” he finished with a thumbs up and flashed a dopey smile at the camera.

I found myself smiling back at him; his sandy blond hair poking out in all directions on top of his head, red sweaty face, andthose freckles. I thought about sending Thomas a congratulatory text message but stopped myself. We weren’t even friends.

Thomas

“Congratulations, mate!” Will extended his hand out to me as I walked into the garage.

“Well done, Jacko!” Landon yelled out, along with cheering from the crew. This was our second win for the season and everyone in the garage was stoked.

Post-race was one of my favourite times of the weekend. Once the debriefs were over and the media commitments done, it was time to chill. Literally. Chris always had two ice baths set up for Will and me after the race. Even if we were somewhere colder like Tasmania, we would still use them.

It calmed my mind. There could be a lot of noise and so much pressure during the race that the freezing temperature soothed my body and mind.

I was scrolling through my phone in the ice bath when Chris forwarded me the email with the subject:This one’s a keeper.

I opened the email to see a digital version of Harper’s story on me. I braced myself to read it but was pleasantly surprised.

“Thomas Henry–Jackson, a professional to his core, is a devout rev head with a passion for racing, cars, and his team. Echidna Racing is full of kind, hard-working, and dedicated people who bring each race event to life so that the drivers can perform at their absolute best. The week I spent with the team was both eye-opening and exciting, starting up a new interest for me that I had never considered.”

Harper’s article was written with such respect and insight into our team that I had to wonder how she found so much to say after such a short stay. I guess that was the thing—shewas a professional and bloody good at it, too.

Once again, I felt ashamed of how I had spoken to her in those first few days, the regret was palpable. I let my childhood shit get in the way—all the media following my parents around trying to get insight into the next Melbourne Cup winner. It bothered me and my brother. We felt shut out and separate from not only our parents but also the kids at school, who would give us shit for always appearing in the background of a shot in the news. It may have sounded like a pathetic attempt at childhood trauma, but it was always just my brother and me. We were the family, and our parents were only around every once in a while. It was me, my brother, and our nanny(yes, a nanny)for most of our childhood.

I was grateful for the opportunities that growing up with money gave me. I never would have started kart racing if it wasn’t for my dad’s push. I knew I owed them gratitude for how we were brought up, but I guess I just wished we could have been more of a family unit.

As I got out of the ice bath and changed into my casuals, I decided to read through Harper’s article for a second time. I pictured how she would have looked, perched at my desk, typing away, and pretending not to notice me, which always drove me wild.

***

Harper

My car was packed and ready for the two-and-a-half-hour drive to Nelson Bay. I was spending the weekend with my entire family to celebrate my brother Andy’s birthday. The entire Allenwright family hadn’t been together since both my brothers moved to Perth for the Navy, which was two years ago. With snacks and a playlist ready to go, I was glad to get out of the city and have a change of scenery. The drive up was going to be a lot of fun, full of in-car karaoke, and unhinged road rage. Just like any other girl’s road trip.

I was jamming out to one of my favourite songs when an incoming call came through. I had to read the name a few times before registering who it was. ‘Thomas Henry-Jackson (Prick)’was how he was saved in my phone, just in case I ever forgot. I hit the green answer button on my steering wheel.

“Hello? Is this a butt dial?”

“What? No, it’s Thomas. How are ya?” he asked, his voice sounding slightly muffled. I turned the speaker volume up.

“Yeah, I know it’s you. Why are you calling me?” I tried to keep my tone casual.

There was a slight pause before he answered, “Why not? Is there a rule against calling you?” His usual accusing tone was ever-present.

I kept my eyes on the road as the traffic started to build closer to Nelson Bay. The sun was setting in the distance, a vibrant mix of light orange colours.

“No rule, just confused. Did you mean to call a differentHarper?” I answered sarcastically.

“There is only one Harper I know and it’s you. Can you stop being difficult for once?” He was getting frustrated with me, which only made me want to tease him more.

“Fine, what would you like to talk about, Thomas? And why are you so muffled?”

His response was a loud sigh on the other end of the phone before he chuckled. “The headphones I’m using are broken. Only one ear works.”

I realised I had no idea what to say to him, so I stayed silent on the other end. Then I remembered his race last weekend.

“Hey, congrats on winning the race up at Darwin!” I said, feeling proud for thinking of something to say.

He paused. “Yeah, thanks. It was a pretty big challenge, but it worked out in the end. Pressure’s on to get to the Championship now. Getting closer.”

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