Mollie could hear voices around her. She tried to open her eyes but everything hurt. Finally, with a little extra effort she managed to open them slightly. She was still sat in the car. She could see several faces peering down at her. She recognised the familiar face of Doctor Ian Roberts.
"Hi Mollie, welcome back. How are you feeling?"
"Like I've been in a car crash funnily enough," she replied, sarcastically.
"Where does it hurt? Can you move your limbs?"
Mollie carefully moved her left leg, followed by her right. Then she moved her arms.
"All moving. All hurt like mad, but fully functional. I think I've bust some ribs though."
"How about your head?" the doctor asked, aware of Mollie's previous head injury.
"Bit of an ache, nothing too major. What the fuck happened? I remember hitting Elena but that's it. Is she ok?"
"Let's just concentrate on you. Some of my colleagues are with Elena."
Mollie felt her heart begin to race. She felt hot and sweaty. "I can't breathe." She began struggling for breath. "Get me out of here. I have to get out of here."
"Mollie, you need to calm down. You're having a panic attack."
"Where's Seb? I need Seb!"
"Mollie, we need to get you out and to the hospital. You can see Seb there sweetheart."
Mollie tried to calm herself down but it was so difficult. Her heart felt like it was going to beat out of her chest. She started seeing spots in front of her eyes. Then all of a sudden, everything went black again.
***
The doctor looked at Seb. He was silent for a moment.
"You are her boyfriend?" Seb nodded.
"Would you like to come this way?" Seb followed the doctor. Matthew sat down again. Seb deserved to see her first.
The doctor opened a door and held it open for Seb.
His heart skipped a beat as he saw Mollie propped up on the hospital bed. She started sobbing as she saw him. He dashed to her side.
"Thank God! Mols I was so worried," he cried, pulling her into his arms, quickly releasing her when she cried out in pain. "Baby, I'm so sorry. Where does it hurt?"
"Ribs. Two broken ribs. Severe bruising to my shoulders from my belts. Broken wrist. Mild concussion."
"Jesus Mollie, I thought I'd lost you. Your car....it was...there wasn't much left."
"Good job the season's over then," she said, wryly.
Seb picked up her hand and squeezed it.
"So how are the others? No one's telling me anything."
"Sophia's broken her leg, but otherwise she's ok. I haven't heard anything about Annette, Emilia and Elena. I've been waiting here with Matthew Thorne."
Mollie sighed and closed her eyes.
"I didn't realise so many were caught up in it. I hope they're ok."
"I'm sure they'll be fine," he reassured her, although he was far from sure. Mollie didn't need to worry about the others, he had to sound positive even if he was feeling anything but.
"Can I use your phone? I need to call my parents. They'll be frantic."
"Of course baby." He handed his phone to her.
Her Dad answered on the first ring.
"Hello," he said, sounding shaken.
"Daddy, it's me. I'm ok."
"Mols, thank God. We've been beside ourself with worry. Are you hurt?" he asked, his voice crackling with emotion.
"Couple of broken ribs, broken wrist, bruising. Just minor things. I've got all winter to recover. I hear my car wasn't so lucky though. Hope there's a scrapyard nearby."
"Mollie don't even joke about it. You could have been killed."
"I'm sorry Dad, but if I don't joke I'll just break down and cry."
"Oh Mols. Do you want me to fly out? I can be on the next flight out."
"No, it's fine. Seb's here with me and I'll be flying home soon."
"Are you still in the hospital?"
"Yeah. They said they'll probably keep me overnight for observations."
"Have you heard anything about the other drivers?"
"Sophia has broken her leg. I haven't heard about the others."
"That mad Russian bitch needs banning. She's crazy."
"Dad, just leave it. I just want to rest. I'm sure I'll be angry enough later but for now I'm just tired. I love you. Love to Mum and Jude."
"Love you too Mollie Moo."
Mollie disconnected and handed Seb's phone back to him. She closed her eyes tightly, trying to stop the tears from falling.
"Baby, I'm here."
"Please can you try and find out how the others are?"
"I will do but I don't want to leave you."
"I'm going to try and have a sleep."
"I'm not leaving you. I'll be here."
There was no answer. Either she'd fallen asleep faster than anyone he'd ever known or she was ignoring him. He tried not to take it personally. He knew she was going through something intense.
Her breathing soon slowed down, she had definitely fallen asleep. He took his phone out and noticed a text from Britta.
Britta: Emilia Koskinen has a broken collar bone. Otherwise she's ok. No news on Annette or Elena. I've seen the update on Sophia. How's Mollie? Any news ?x
Seb: That's a relief about Emilia. I'm with Mollie now. She's sleeping. She's ok. Broken ribs, broken wrist, severe bruising, mild concussion. She'll be fine. Needs a lot of TLC x
Britta: thank God. Give her my love when she wakes. X
There was a tap on the door and Matthew popped his head around.
"Hey, how is she? The docs updated me on her injuries. I mean in herself."
"Hard to tell. She's worried about the others."
"Naylor updated about Emilia."
"Britta told me. No news on Elena or Annette though?"
"Nothing. I know they were still working on them after the other three were brought here."
"I hope they're ok. I know it was Elena's fault but still..."
Both men fell silent. They both knew how bad it looked.
"I'm going to go and see Sophia now. I'll pop back later to see Mollie when she wakes up. First I'm going to call Cassie and get her to release a statement. Stop any speculation."
Seb nodded. "I'm staying here. I'm not leaving her. I'm not racing tomorrow, no matter what Otmar says."
Matthew nodded and left the room. Seb picked up Mollie's hand again. No one was dragging him away from her. He was where he had to be.
***
Cassie and Joel were sat in hospitality. It was really late but both knew they wouldn't be able to sleep. Cassie was waiting to hear how Mollie was. She was desperately worried about her friend.
Finally her phone rang. Matthew Thorne.
"Hello, Matthew how is she?" she asked tearfully.
" Cass calm down. She's fine. Some injuries but nothing life threatening. Broken ribs, broken wrist, bruising. She'll be ok."
"Thank God," Cassie gasped with relief.
"Any word from Ferrari?"
"No. Matthew I'm afraid it doesn't look good. It took a long time to transport them to hospital."
"I guess we just have to hope and pray for them. Goodnight Cassie. Hopefully tomorrow will bring good news. "
Cassie hoped so. She couldn't stand Elena but she never wished this on her. And Annette. Annette wasn't so bad. She was actually quite nice when she wasn't with Elena.
Joel took her hand and squeezed it reassuringly. "Come on Cassie. Let's go get some sleep ."