The Race

by Ian Berry

  With Saskia in the car, the whole thing was repeated from green flag to chequered flag. I could tell she was trying really hard, I could also tell that there were no fluffed gear changes or wrongly-timed braking.

  Back in the pits it was her turn to pose for Ray and the others. I thought she looked wonderful as she copied my moves, taking off the helmet and shaking out her long hair. If I’d looked like that, I was well pleased with both of us.

  Now for the final reckoning. Saskia’s time was two minutes and thirty four seconds. She’d beaten me again. I turned towards her and held out my hand. She shook it initially, then pulled me into a hug. The kiss we saved for later.

  Nothing would do but that we get up to the little podium to be congratulated by James with Lydia alongside him. He shook both our hands then kissed us both on the cheek, more restrained than usual but then we were in public.

  For us that was more or less it - or so we thought. Frank and Ray had other ideas. It appeared we’d not get away without an interview, a proper one. Ray set things up with the pit lane and the little car in the background. He fussed around putting microphones on us and on Frank and testing sound and other stuff. Frank began - and had to stop at once as the PA made an announcement.

  Rio laughed at poor Frank. “I’ll go stop it. I know where to go. Come on Dan, you can help.” The pair of them rushed off to be back in moment or two.

  “Right. We’ve tied him to a chair and hidden his microphone. Should be good to go.”

  Frank grinned and began again. “Saskia and Saskia, you’ve raced each other again.” He turned to Saskia. “Saskia Hunt, you won. I think I remember you saying you won last time as well. You must be pleased.”

  “Well of course I am. But you have to remember what we said on Friday, it’s not real rivalry. Saskia is my friend. I think if you were to ask her, she’d tell you that it doesn’t really matter. It doesn’t to me. I think we’ve achieved what we set out do.”

  “And you Saskia? Do you think it doesn’t matter who won?”

  “I agree with Saskia. I enjoyed myself out there, as I’m sure she did as well. Lots of people came to watch, I think they enjoyed it as much as we did. I’m happy for Saskia. The best girl won.”

  Frank moved onto other topics. “Do you think more girls will try to do what you’ve done? Have a go at the driving?”

  “I really don’t see why not,” I said. “You don’t have to go as fast as we did to enjoy the experience. That’s what it is after all, a different experience. It’s really fun to go round corners on the wrong side of the road and stuff.”

  Saskia grinned. “I’m going to see if we can hold Rhiannon to her words on Friday. She said she might like a go. Here’s a public challenge. Come on, Rhiannon, let’s see what you can do?”

  “Well we can only wait and see what that challenge produces. Thank you, Saskia Hunt and Saskia Chandler.”

  With our interview obviously over, Frank turned to Rio. I’d like a few words from you if I can, young lady.”

  Rio nodded. I didn’t think she’d have a problem, not after the Saskia Magic had fixed her the other evening. I was right. She was quite happy for Ray to shift microphones and stuff from us to her. I did see her reach for Dan’s hand at one point and was pleased to see him squeeze it gently in support.

  “Now, Miss Rio Ashworth. I’m told that you are responsible for today. Care to explain?”

  Rio shrugged slightly. “The Saskias are my friends. I just asked if they could help me with a project I was doing. This is what they came up with. Oh, not the whole day, I was just interested in taking pictures of cars going fast. I’m a photographer.”

  “And a good one by all accounts,” said Frank. “Didn’t I see you photographing the Prime Minister the other day?”

  “Yes, that was me,” grinned Rio. “A commission for the Robinson Corporation.”

  “And don’t I recall seeing some of your pictures in the local paper last week?”

  “Yes, me again. Can’t help it if people like my pictures.” She grinned again.

  “So your request to take a few special pictures turned into this whole event. What do you think about that?”

  “I think it’s brilliant. But it’s only to be expected when you ask the Saskias to help you. It’s what they do. I think it’s got out of hand just a little bit but I think everybody involved has got what they want and enjoyed themselves. Don’t you?”

  “I think you might be right.” He paused, probably to let Ray know he’d done asking questions. “That was really good my dear. Now, if you’ll excuse me, a couple of pieces to camera while the PA guy is tied up and we can go see what we’ve got. Expect seven or eight minutes on Monday.”

  Rio was quite excited and really pleased with herself. “What d’you think? Did I do ok?”

  Dan grabbed her hand, “You were great. I couldn’t have done that.”

  “Yes you could. It wasn’t difficult. The Saskias told me it’d probably happen so I was expecting it. They were great as well, weren’t they?”

  “You’re all amazing. I don’t really know what to say.”

  Further talk was cut short by the arrival of James and Lydia. Lydia noticed Rio and Dan holding hands immediately. “Ah. You must be Dan.”

  Saskia performed introductions, not strictly necessary I suppose, but polite none the less. After that was done, Lydia had an observation.

  “Rio is invited to the party we’re having with the Saskias and their other friends at Christmas. Would you like to come too, Dan, with Rio?”

  “I’d like that very much, Mrs. Robinson. Thank you.”

  “Then it shall be so. We’ll see you there.”

  “Very well done all of you,” said James. “We’ve got to go. See you in the office on Monday Saskias. Rio and Dan, take care.”

  James and Lydia went off to wherever they’d parked Arnold, we went to track down Barry.

  Barry was busy in his office. “Saskias. How can I ever thank you. This is the best day ever.”

  “Don’t thank us, said Saskia. “You organised it. We only helped here and there.”

  “But -”

  “No buts. We all got what we wanted, yes?”

  “Well, yes.”

  “Then we shall all be pleased. You look a bit busy. We’ll catch up with you later. You know we’ll be around again, we’ve got to organise the Robinson Corporation stuff. Bye, Barry.”

  The four of us beat a hasty retreat. “How are you two getting home?” asked Saskia.

  “I’ve got my car here,” said Dan. “I’ll take Rio home if that’s alright.”

  “Fine by us,” said Saskia. “Hey Rio. A boyfriend with a car. Every girls dream.”

  Rio grabbed Dan’s arm. “Not the only reason he’s my boyfriend. In fact, no reason at all.”

  Dan grinned down at her. She reached up and kissed him. She was still going red when she did that in public. That’d wear off, just needed a bit of time.

  Seventeen

  “Hello, you two. How did your day go?”

  “Brilliant, Dad. How about you? Sold everything yet?”

  “Not quite yet, but I’m working on it.”

  “Don’t know about you,” I said, “but I’d like to stop looking like a mechanic. I’m going to change. Coming?”

  “Good idea. See you in a minute, Dad.”

  “Don’t rush. I like you in those overalls.”

  “Dad! You see enough people in overalls at the garage.”

  “Ah. But none of them look as good as you.”

  “That’s nice of you to say so, sir. Earns you a hug and a kiss,” I said.

  Saskia pushed me up a bit and added her contribution. We left Rob with a smile on his face as we made for the stairs and our bedroom.

  Up in our room, get
ting changed took only a few seconds, most of which was taken up with deciding what to wear as usual. Also as usual, we chose jumper and jeans, what Saskia called ‘scruffy’ but her dad insisted was ‘casual’. We had a little waiting time to fill.

  “Did today go well?” Saskia asked.

  “I think on the whole the answer to that ought to be ‘yes’. Barry seems well pleased.”

  “Mm. And we’ve raised James profile in the town a bit more as well. Jeff’ll probably pat us on the back again.”

  “And Rio will be elevated to Queen of the School after Monday evening.”

  “Come on, let’s go and make Dad happy. The Prime Directive calls.”

  Monday. “No red overalls today Saskias?”

  “No, Petra. Strictly a one off.”

  “I saw you yesterday. How did you manage to get those things to fit you? When I wear overalls, to decorate or whatever, I look like an unmade bed.”

  “Secret. Can’t tell you. Involves much magic and stuff. Ignorance is bliss,” I said.

  “Call in and see James?” asked Saskia as we climbed the stairs.

  “Mm. Better had. He’ll probably only summon us to the presence later if not.”

  Amanda was at her desk as usual. “Ah, Saskias. Just going to find you. Boss wants you. Jeff Bailey’s with him, go straight in, do not pass GO, do not collect two hundred pounds.”

  I grinned at the old Monopoly reference although I thought it was lost on Saskia. I’d explain later.

  “Come in, you two, sit down. Jeff says he’s going to resign. You’d better talk him out of it.”

  They were both grinning, so I said, “You can’t do that Jeff. Whose going to tell us stuff when we need help and guidance?”

  “When you need what?” laughed Jeff. “How much planning did yesterday take? Not all the day, just the bits involving the Corporation?”

  “None really,” said Saskia. “The truck race was down to the two drivers, the rest we just made up on the spur of the moment.”

  “That does tend to be mostly how PR works. Taking advantage of opportunities. It’s what you two do best. The Robinson name all over the press and TV again. Whose idea was it to get Mrs. Robinson waving flags?”

  “Err - Saskia’s, as I recall,” said Saskia.

  “Doesn’t really matter I suppose. Damn good idea.” He sighed. “I’m not going to resign, I’m just going to take advantage of anything you two come up with. You do know that your own profile has gone through the roof don’t you?”

  “I suppose so,” said Saskia, wriggling slightly in her chair.

  “And it’s widely known that you work for Sir James. More positive PR. Everybody knows you, even if it’s only as those two girls who drive the white mini.”

  I laughed. “I’ve heard it’s known as the Saskiamobile.”

  “I rest my case. Best thing James ever did, employing you two.”

  I thought, ‘You don’t know the half of it, mate,’ but I said nothing out loud. What I did say was, “Can we close this meeting of the Saskia Appreciation Society. I want to go find Charlie and Steve and thank them for yesterday.”

  James laughed. “Typical Saskia behaviour. Go on, do what you feel you should.”

  “Yes, James, we should. May we be excused?” said Saskia, seriously.

  Outside the office, Saskia said, “Good idea to get us out of any more embarrassing stuff.”

  “Oh, I meant it. We should do it.”

  “Didn’t say we shouldn’t. I’m with you one hundred percent. Let’s go see if we can find the persons in question. Let’s look in the cafeteria first.”

  “I wonder why you want to start there?” I laughed.

  “Oh, I don’t know. Just seemed like the thing to do,” she laughed as well. Two laughing Saskias made their way downstairs.

  Later in the day we managed to buy a paper. “Blimey,” said Saskia. Archie was right. Look at these pictures.”

  There were several, us posing next to the car and stuff like that, but the most spectacular were a couple of shots in which the car was in sharp focus but the background was a series of streaks. This was what Rio had been trying for. I thought she’d succeeded - and then some. I was really pleased it’d worked out, it was what the whole thing was about after all.

  “Look at the by-line,” I said. “Dan and Rio again.”

  “Wait ‘till she appears on the news. There’ll be no talking to her.”

  “Rio’s not like that, you know she’s not.”

  “No, you’re right. Be interesting for her at school tomorrow.”

  “You should know all about that,” I laughed.

  Later, after tea, we waited to see what Frank had made of the stuff Ray shot during Sunday. I knew Saskia thought seven or eight minutes didn’t sound like a lot but I knew it was quite a long time in television terms. In the event, perhaps there wasn’t much news, the piece lasted just short of ten minutes.

  “Ray’s done a good job,” I said as we watched the piece unfold.

  “Mm. Oh, there you go. Not going very quickly - oops, now you are, Ray nearly can’t keep up. Look at Lydia waving that flag. Brilliant idea of yours.”

  “Your turn now, Twin. I can see why you won. You’re just more technical than me. I just enjoyed myself.”

  “So did I, so did I. What’s this more technical stuff?”

  “You’re more accurate round the corners, your throttle control is better, stuff like that.”

  “You can tell that just by watching?” asked Rob.

  Oops. A bit too much knowledge? “Mm, yes. Uncle Richie used to sit with me and watch motor racing explaining the finer points.”

  “And you weren’t bored?”

  “Not really. I found it quite interesting.”

  Saskia headed anything else off at the pass. “Ssh. Interviews.”

  We watched and listened to what we’d said to Frank, and then listened to what Rio had said. She was really going to be the centre of attention tomorrow at school.

  The news over, inevitably Rio rang.

  “Saskias, you were brilliant.”

  “Listen who’s talking. I think brilliant is your middle name. What with appearing on the telly and those magic pictures in the paper. Did you get to do what you wanted? Certainly looked like it.”

  “You noticed. That was exactly what I wanted to do. Dan showed me how to pan the camera with the motion of the car.”

  “Ready for tomorrow?”

  “I think so. At least I hope so. Should be - interesting. I’ll let you know.”

  “See you later. I hope you’re not going to charge too much to speak to you.”

  “I’d never do that - not to you two anyway.” She ended the call laughing gently.

  Rob summed the whole thing up. “So, all winners and no losers. Are you two happy?”

  “I believe the answer to you your question would be yes, Dad. D’you agree, Saskia?”

  “Indubitably.” Nobody bothered about the long word, I think the three grins said it all.

  Eighteen

  Autumn deepened into winter. Saskia and I had to pay careful attention to what we decided to wear. Neither of us particularly liked wearing tights but now the weather was cold it was expected. We spent a lot of time wearing trousers or jeans.

  Our friends were all back from Uni for Christmas, the next thing on the calendar was the party at James and Lydia’s. Saturday the twenty first was the date in question. Everybody was looking forwards to it.

  We began to congregate at the given time of seven thirty. Now we included Dan and Rio, there were three couples who arrived together. The others turned up in various cars, including Saskia and I in the mini. The front of the Robinson’s house looked like a car park.

  Ellie and Sophie s
eemed to be carrying quite large bags. Saskia and I didn’t think about it, we were too busy introducing Dan and Rio to the rest of our friends.

  “So that’s all our mob. What d’you think Rio? Want to go hide?” asked Saskia.

  Rio surveyed the assembled multitude. “Shouldn’t think so. Can’t be any worse than me, there’s just more of ‘em. I’ll manage.”

  “That’s our girl,” said Ellie. “You’ll be ok.”

  No mention was made of Dan, but I saw him chatting animatedly with Greg, Peter and the rest of the boys. The evening was going to be fine.

  “It’s good to be home for a while,” said Hailey. “Mum’s trying to feed me up, as if I don’t actually eat.”

  “You too?” laughed Emma. “My mum does that too and I at least can get home now and then.”

  “How do the boys get on?” asked Saskia. “They’ve been at it for longer - if you see what I mean.”

  “Apparently it doesn’t get any better” said Ellie. “Andy has just the same problem.”

  “How about you Rio?” asked Sophie. “Looking forwards to all this stuff when you leave school. Any idea what you’re going to do?”

  “I think I might have it all sorted,” grinned Rio. “London for me - art college.”

  “It’s all right for you lot,” said Melanie. “The Saskias and I stay at home while you go gallivanting.”

  “But you’ve already been to uni, and the Saskias don’t need to,” said Ellie.

  “I like that,” I said. “You actually think we don’t need to go off to further education?”

  “Not unless they want to learn from you,” said Ellie.

  That broke us all up laughing.

  James and Lydia circulated among us making sure they spoke to all of us, paying particular attention to the ones spending time away from home. Everybody was having a really good time. I hadn’t noticed Ellie and Sophie were missing.

  There was a commotion at the door into the conservatory where we were all congregated. There stood two girls with long brown hair dressed identically. They paused for a moment then walked into the room in perfect step. Just for one moment I thought ... but then I spotted that one of them was Ellie. Closer inspection revealed the other one was Sophie in a long brown wig.