ALICE Ch 27

Bright lights shine on the simple chair.

Christian Horner sits in his Red Bull livery, smiling confidently.

“Back at it again, eh, Netflix?” he says.

“What were your thoughts after Bahrain?”

“It’s Formula One. These things happen. Max still brought home the points,” Horner replies with a shrug. “It’s not what we wanted to see for Checo, but it’s certainly not the first car he’s wrecked."

“Red Bull’s been on top. What did you think about seeing Bottas and Hamilton in the top five again?”

One corner of Horner’s mouth turns up. “Eerie,” he admits. “Valtteri was a full second behind Max. And Lewis half a second more. I don’t think Max feels threatened if that’s what you’re getting at.”

“Freedom is a new team. Flores had a reasonable season last year and now she’s put Freedom on the podium in their debut race.”

“It was a good drive. Taking Flores from Haas was simply brilliant,” Horner says, almost ruefully.

“You’ve said some things about Freedom.”

“They make no secret of what they are. Hiring a driver of Mexican descent is…” Horner trails off bitterly. He gives a little shake of his head. “This sport is changing.”

“Well, Max is still on top. There’s no changing that.”

“I certainly hope not.”

“There’s a lot of talk about Alice Wilde’s performance. Some say that she demoralized Charles so much that Missy Woodcock was able to overtake him.”

“Charles is easily demoralized,” Horner says neutrally. “It was a good debut, I’ll grant her.”

“Is Alice Wilde one to watch?”

“Too early to say.”

FF1

Some countries are easier to travel around and enjoy than others. And in some, Alice is basically stuck in the hotel until the race. Saudi Arabia is one such country, and she’s already sick of everything.

But work doesn’t stop. Blinding sunlight bathes the hotel restaurant. Alice sips her tomato juice and gazes across the table at Glynda, who hasn’t shown off her chest since that night in Bahrain. Gone are the sexy blouses and dresses, and now she’s wearing shirts and sweaters that offer full coverage. A fucking turtleneck in Saudi Arabia. But it’s still snug, and it can’t really hide her spectacular curves.

“Are you listening to me?” she asks.

“Sort of,” Alice replies.

“Alice,” Glynda growls.

“Sorry. Beautiful older women distract me.”

“That’s good,” Glynda says seriously, pointing a finger at her. “Dial it back just a little, but yes. Stick to that. Flirt.”

“Wait, what?”

“You’re going to be likable. This is an important meeting.”

“They’re all important meetings,” Alice protests.

“Not like this.”

“Make Faye do it if you don’t trust me.”

Glynda’s eye twitches. “It has to be you.”

Alice frowns. She doesn’t understand. How is Faye somehow less qualified to do a private meet and greet than Alice?

“Whatever,” Alice says. “I’ll do my best.”