Page 6 of Jump Start

Dad was right. There was no point in getting upset over the opinion of someone I was never going to see again after this week.

I walked back inside with my confidence returned but cursed my footwear. I could feel the blisters from angrily walkingaround the block in my favourite stiletto heels.

***

Poking my head into Thomas’s office, I noticed he wasn’t there, which meant I would be safe to set my things up again. I needed a larger screen, so I connected my laptop to his monitor and took my shoes off to offer a little relief from the pain. I had started the first few paragraphs of the story but found it increasingly difficult to be professional and objective about this man. Especially when he had been nothing but unwelcoming to me on my first day at Echidna Racing.

The door opened around three o’clock. Thomas walked in and assessed the situation—me barefoot, sitting at his desk with my belongings spread far and wide.

I stood up suddenly. “Sorry, I just—”

He cut me off. “It’s fine. I never actually use this office, so make yourself at home.”

I was taken aback by the sudden change in tune. He sat at the small glass table and picked up my stilettos in his hands. “Um, is this blood?” He motioned to my shoe with his nose.

“I got a blister when I walked around the block. It’s nothing.”

He widened his eyes and placed my shoes back on the ground gently.

“Maybe don’t go for a walk in stilettos then?” he suggested, but this time with a hint of playfulness in his voice.

“I’ll admit it wasn’t the smartest choice. Tomorrow, I will be more sensible.”

Thomas settled in with his tablet and sat back as he waited for it to sign in, arms crossed, which seemed to be a favourite gesture of his.

“I’ve got a couple of online interviews via video chat, but you’re welcome to listen in if you need,” he said.

“Oh, okay, I’ll move.” I started to unplug my laptop, but he stood and put his hand out in front of him.

“No need,” he gestured for me to sit back down and then did the same to start his interviews.

“Hi guys, how are you? Great to see you!” he said excitedly to someone on the screen.

I shook my head. So, he was capable of being a friendly human. As I listened to him speak to various members of the media, I made notes on the way he described his racing with passion, grace, and confidence. I was beginning to see that there were many layers to Thomas Henry-Jackson, and I had only discovered the first one.

Four

Thomas

“Hi guys, how are you? Great to see you!” I said to the local news team who were doing a short interview on me about the start of the season. I felt Harper’s death stare burning into the side of my face. I was right to think she wouldn’t make it easy for me. I liked having her sitting in my office, but I wouldn’t let her know that…yet.

Talking through the same questions was beginning to feel like a state of dissociation for me.

“We focus on the three main factors when endurance racing—tyre life, fuel intake, and driver fatigue.” Blah, blah, same old shit. I just wanted to get out of this stuffy outfit, put on my race suit, and drive. Was it possible to clone yourself yet? I wished my brother was my identical twin, so he could pretend to be me for all this media stuff. And I could relax.

“Thank you for your time, Thomas. We’ll chat again soon.”

I ended the meeting to find Harper looking at me before she swiftly turned her gaze to her phone.

“Coffee?” I asked in her direction.

“Sorry, what?” she replied. I knew full well she heard me.

“Do you, Harper, want a coffee?”

She shook her head. “No thanks. Too late in the day. I’ll be up all night.”

I rolled my eyes. “Didn’t need your life story, a simple no would be fine,” I retorted as I strode out of the room.

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