Who would've thought the weekend that Darcey had been dreading for so long would turn out to be one she never wanted to end. She couldn't stop smiling to herself as she worked in the garage that Sunday, luckily she didn't have to either as the team got a double podium.
Webber had earned his place on the top of the podium, Seb had worked his way up to third place so the garage was ready to celebrate for two reasons that evening. Christian had invited Claire up to the motorhome after the race, the thought of her Mum being left alone with her boss and colleagues causing some weird sort of secondhand embracement on Darcey's behalf.
Once the team carried out their normal pack down jobs, they began their walk over to the motorhome to get ready to leave the circuit. Darcey wasn't paying much attention to the crowds around her, this was prime interview time and she preferred to act like they weren't there. Brad had already pointed her out in a couple of clips posted online, almost becoming some sort of game for the garage.
"Your mum loved me!" Brad announced as they began to discuss who they would invite out tonight for Darcey's birthday celebration. As much as she loved her mum, there was no way in hell she would allow that to happen.
"My mum loves everyone, don't flatter yourself." Darcey protested, turning to face Brad, Will and Scotty now walking backwards through the crowd. Not her best idea as she ended up walking straight into one f her birthday surprises and not the cutout version.
Mortified Darcey turned slowly to see who she had just backed into "God I'm so sorry, I wasn't looking" Darcey apologised to the McLaren driver, to the side of her Brad and the others who were struggling to hold in their laughter.
"Don't worry about it, how was your birthday by the way?" Jenson asked remembering the odd request he had the day before by the Red Bull driver.
"It was great thanks, I can't believe they roped you into doing that" Darcey joked now noticing that she had been left alone, she made a mental reminder to kick their butts the next time she saw them.
"It's no problem, when Seb told me there'd be cake - I was there" He chuckled before he caught the sight of Sebastian walking towards the pair. "Speak of the devil" The two drivers greeted each other with a quick handshake and pat on the back, leaving Darcey standing there awkwardly.
"Congratulations on the podium buddy" Jenson grinned at Sebastian as they parted
"Cheers, it's been a great weekend for the team" Sebastian stated stepping next to Darcey, stealing a quick glance in the process.
"Two reasons to celebrate now I'm guessing" Jenson assumed turning his attention to Darcey, looking for an answer on the statement.
"Something like that, I didn't get much say in the matter" Darcey began to stutter out searching for the right answer "You're welcome to join us - I mean if you want to, if you can" She blurted out instantly regretting it - there was no way he'd be interested in hanging out with her.
"Sounds good to me, Seb can text me the details right?" Jenson looked over at Sebastian, who simply nodded in response "Now I better get back to the motorhome, see you both later" Jenson added before running off down the paddock.
The pair stood there as they watched him disappear into the distance, before settling into a comfortable silence - neither wanting to walk away but not knowing what to say next. It was the first time they had been alone together since Sebastian had asked her to join him for coffee. Darcey couldn't even begin to put into words how grateful she was for the events that followed.
"So, If you text me the details for tonight - I'll see you there?" Sebastian asked looking into Darcey's eyes for recognition
Darcey responded with a nod before Sebastian smiles and turned to walk away
"Thank you, for everything," Darcey called out grabbing Sebastian's arm, he stopped and turned to face her, looking deep into her eyes before pulling her in for a quick hug then silently walked away. Darcey stood there for a second longer frozen in place. It was just a hug snap out of it
Getting over what had just happened, Darcey headed for the motorhome to get changed while texting Brad letting him know they had another party guest.
Brad
Honestly, you walk into Seb and he suddenly wants to hang out with us and now Jenson too! 😏 What type of superpower do you have?
Darcey
Shut up and give me the details or nobody will be there to 'hang out' with 😒
After a couple of minutes of back and forth as to what exactly had happened after they left her - which Darcey had expressed her anger towards, she had managed to pass the details onto Sebastian.
Darcey had already arranged to stay with Kendall who lived near the Silverstone circuit, making it easier to get ready and head into town later that night. Kendall's apartment was everything Darcey had expected and more, it looked like the photos you see all over Pinterest with the perfectly coordinated colour scheme and modern furniture.
The girls had set themselves down in her living room slowly getting ready while having a bit to drink, to unwind from the weekend. Before Darcey began working with Red Bull or more specifically working with Kendall, she didn't have a clue what to wear on a night out. Now she was rather good at it, pulling out a tight fitted red dress and a pair of nude heels.
"I've taught you well" Kendall grinned giving it her seal of approval as she got up to get ready herself, walking out of the room to pick her outfit to the night. "What time were we meeting them again?" She called out from the other room to Darcey
"About half seven, but that's more like eight in Brad's world" Darcey answered searching for the message she had sent to Sebastian earlier looking for his reply, "Seb said he should be there for about eight anyway" She added as Kendall walked into the room now dressed.
"Oh yeah, Sebastian mentioned that you invited Jenson too. Staring at him like a lovesick puppy" Kendall smirked knowing about Darcey's not so secret crush on the British driver. She had protested stating that she was simply a fan and that was all, but Kendall wasn't buying it.
"I did not!" Darcey quickly objected "He's only saying that because my Mum blabbed to him about Jenson being my favourite driver, honestly I should've never left her alone"
"I did wonder why you allowed her anywhere near the garage" Kendall admitted
"Sebastian invited her actually, a couple of weeks ago I told him about how we used to come every year for my birthday. I never expected him to do that" Darcey answered, allowing herself to think back to the times she shared with her Dad at the track.
"He's not the self-absorbed driver the media portray him as you know? I've worked in formula one for a couple of years now and I've never met a driver who cares for his fans and crew like he does"
Just like they had planned the girls arrived at the pub for seven-thirty, not being too surprised when they spotted everyone from the team but Bradley. As this was home for a lot of them, the thought of going out after this weekend was the first thing on their minds. Making the streets of Northampton rather busy - bumping into many familiar faces, crew and drivers.
It didn't take long for the night to turn into complete chaos, Darcey had been talking to the hospitality team with Kendall and the boys were enjoying the proper British beer they had missed so much. Nothing beats a night out in your local.
Jenson arrived soon after with his girlfriend Jessica who had met Kendall a couple of times before. The group began to discuss their plans for the summer break coming up, when Darcey turned her attention to a rather drunk friend of hers.
Bradley had made the mistake in thinking he had to down his first couple of drinks to 'catch up' with the rest of them. Now he was becoming the sloppy mess she remembered from Monaco after he drank too much of the free champaign.
"I'm truly proud of you. You did such a great job this weekend" Brad uttered appearing next to her, leaning against the wall to steady himself a bit.
"You're such a sappy drunk." Darcey giggled
"I'm not drunk, you're just not drunk enough. That's it I'm getting shots!" He jolted up and heading to the bar before Darcey had the chance to object, she attempted to follow him but lost in the crowd. She had just given up when she turned on her heels, planning to head back in the direction she came from when she was met with a plaid shirt and familiar scent.
"I thought we'd moved on from this, what is this the fourth time?" Chuckled Sebastian, his big blue eyes piercing down at her. Darcey had to admit he had the most amazing eyes she had ever seen, quickly remembering where she was Darcey snapped herself out of her trance.
"I didn't know we were keeping track." Darcey teased, playing along with the German.
"Old habits die hard I guess" Sebastian muttered
Soon after they turned their attention to the calls coming from Will, Scotty and Kendall from across the bar. Once they approached the table they spotted a Brad head down on the table.
"Uh-oh. Looks like someone's run out of energy." Sebastian joked while taking his place next to Darcey at the table, earning a laugh from the table. They all began to chat amongst themselves across the table, Brad stirring every now and then. Darcey couldn't help but relax into Sebastian as he sat beside her, his left arm draped over the back of her chair.
Then out of nowhere some girls from hospitality dragged Kendall to the dance floor and of course Will and Scotty chose to follow. She attempted to drag Darcey up there with them, but she wasn't moving partly because her feet were sore from the heels which she wasn't used to wearing all that much, but mostly because she was rather comfortable in her surrounding at the moment.
"Someone's got to look after drunkie here" Darcey insisted
Darcey looked over at Sebastian whose attention had been diverted by his mobile phone now buzzing off every couple of seconds, with a deep sigh he tapped away before switching it to silent and turning to face Darcey next to him.
"Not how you planned on spending your birthday then?" Sebastian questioned gesturing towards the mechanic in front of them.
"Not exactly, but I also didn't plan on spending my 23rd with Jenson - or you" Darcey admitted, adding in the you part quickly knowing what his response would be. Sebastian couldn't help but smile at how she fumbled over her words.
"23, that's so old"
"You're 25, so that must make you so so old" She shot back, putting empathize on the so and moving in closer as she began to mock him.
"After everything I've done for you, that really hurts you know" He attempted to look sad but ended up chuckling at the last part.
"You see, I can tell that you think what you're saying is funny - but...no."
"Laugh at my jokes, they're funny and you know it!" He began to tickle her, both forgetting where they were for a second, before someone suddenly appeared in front of them.
"We have a problem" Scotty sputtered, too concerns with whatever was happening to notice the closeness between the two in front of them. "I think I've just ripped my trousers" He whispered across the table, Sebastian and Darcey struggled to hold in their laughter while looking at the horrified expression on Scotty's face.
They quickly gathered up the rest of them, deciding this was a sign to call it a night much to Darcey's disappointment. They headed off in their separate taxi, Sebastian somehow ending up looking after the two idiots. In the back of the taxi, Brad stopped and turned to Seb in his drunken state and simply said "I think you're funny Seb, even if Darcey doesn't"