ALICE Ch 123

“Verstappen, pulling away on the straight. And Norris on the attack! He has DRS! There’s nothing Alice Wilde can do! And here’s Valeria Flores as well! She smells blood!”

“Oh, no. No, no,” Kylie says, sitting up and almost spilling her beer. “Why? Why?”

“Something is wrong with that car and Flores knows it! She’s going for the outside! Wheel to wheel into the turn! Alice Wilde does not budge! Oh, Freedom’s not going to be happy about this!”

It cuts to Freedom radio chatter.

“She should’ve gotten out of the way. Why didn’t she get out of the way?”

“Val wasn’t far enough up! Is this going to the judges?”

Then it’s back to the commentators. Kylie leans forward farther, eyes glued to the string of cars on the screen.

“Max Verstappen with a clear lead! Lando Norris in P2, and Alice Wilde and Valeria Flores fighting for P3! Five laps to go and we have confirmation now that Alice is having engine trouble! Can she hold Valeria Flores off?”

“FUTA racing has other problems! Seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton isn’t satisfied to finish behind a certain debut driver from Dublin, but she’s held him off for this long! Faye Darcy’s tires are failing her! We can see it in the corners, and Lewis is hungry!”

FF1

In the Paddock Club above the team garages, Cosette leans against the railing, watching the cars shoot past. Her eyes are alight as she sips champagne and lifts her gaze to the big screens with the main broadcast.

Whatever happens, happens. There’s not much left in the race, and it looks like no matter the outcome, the Alice and Valeria rivalry will lose none of its relevance. She goes back to her phone, reading with interest. It’s an article by Erica Bruhl about what Faye Darcy said in that interview and the rumors of her being in a relationship with Alice.

Cosette drains her glass of champagne, letting her imagination run wild. Alice, Valeria, and Faye Darcy. The Irish girl’s short and utterly without elegance, but she still might have some sex appeal with a little tender care. There is the matter of the girl’s mother, though. Any deal would have to go through the team. It’s difficult to imagine Glynda Darcy wanting her daughter involved with Diorgasm; Cosette is well aware that she’s not happy with the way things are going.

Of course, Glynda is ultimately pragmatic. Money has to come before all other considerations.

Cosette takes a fresh glass of champagne from a passing tray and looks slyly to her left.

Sasha and Irina Orlova look lovely in their matching linen dresses and rose-gold Trinity sunglasses. Very lovely indeed. She takes a sip and smiles.