Stronger Together | George Russell

01 - awake

"But everyone else was here. Emilia, Lando, Lily and Alex came round on Sunday to check on you and Emilia has been here every second or third day after that to check on you. Unfortunately, she's on a business trip at the moment, even though she didn't really want to leave you and this place," my brother explained and I gave him a slight smile.

"George was here every day. He blamed himself so much for leaving you alone. He didn't want to fly to Silverstone, but his boss and I finally managed to get him to fly to the race. However, he was back here immediately afterwards and never left your side, for which I am very grateful to him, as I didn't get vacation days so quickly."

Again, I swallowed hard and tried to process all the information. George wasn't to blame for what had happened and I could imagine how much he blamed himself anyway. 

"You took a holiday because of me?"

I looked at my brother uncertainly. Why was he using up his holiday for me and this shitty situation?

"Of course, you're my sister, my family. George called me from the hospital that Sunday and I got on the next plane straight away. However, I had to go back for work and only got leave a few days later. I've been here every day since then. I would never leave you alone, even if I live in another country. You won't get rid of me that quickly."

He grinned mischievously at me with the last sentence and a smile appeared on my lips. However, it faded a little later and I had to think about George and the phone call to my brother.

"What happened, what did George say?"

"I was just going for a run after watching the race. Before you ask, yes, I watched the whole thing and I was happy for George, but I'm still not a Formula 1 fan, even though your George is a really great driver," Benedikt said and laughed. 

I replied briefly before looking at him again with anticipation.

"Anyway, he rang and said you'd had a panic attack and were on your way to hospital and that it was really bad. He was completely upset and when I got here he was even crying. He reproached himself so much. We then had a long chat about you and our past. He also said that you thought you saw your old teacher in the paddock. I was totally surprised when he told me that and said that you must have mistaken him."

I sat there silently, looking at the duvet as I started to shake slightly again. A tear dripped down and Benedikt let out a sound of astonishment.

"So it really was him. How did he find you?"

Sighing, I looked at him and he understood immediately.

"We have to tell the police. Unfortunately, nobody saw him on the track. You were just lying unconscious on the ground when someone from the Mercedes team found you."

"No one will believe me," I muttered, turning my gaze away from my brother again.

"I believe you, George believes you."

"That's not enough!" I shouted at my brother, who flinched in horror.

"Sorry."

Exhausted, I lay back down and closed my eyes. Nobody would believe me, just like back then. Besides, what was the offence of buying a Formula 1 pass and watching the race, nothing. 

"You probably want to sleep, I'll leave you alone and go and change if that's okay," my brother said uncertain.

I nodded slowly and let go of his hand.

"Are you in a hotel or where are you staying?"

Benedikt stopped and turned round before grinning sheepishly at me and gripping the back of his neck.