Chasing Daisy

Holly and me out on the town for our last night out together.
    ‘I can’t believe you two are leaving,’ Pete says sadly. We’re seated by the window at a piano bar called Terraço Itália and the view of São Paulo city laid out below is incredible. I’ve seen the twinkling lights of so many cities around the world and it still takes my breath away. I’ve been ridiculously lucky to have had this experience. I hope I didn’t take it too much for granted.
    ‘Me neither,’ I reply. I don’t feel like drinking, but the lads have insisted on caipirinhas all round. Brazil’s notorious cachacabased cocktail is very alcoholic, so I’m making mine last.
    Pete turns to me. ‘I had no idea you were a rich chick. And I mean that as a compliment,’ he adds, before I can give him any stick.
    I smile wryly. ‘I wish I wasn’t. But even if my father hadn’t interfered, it was time for me to do something different.’
    ‘What about you, Hol?’ Dan asks Holly. ‘What are you going to do?’
    My mind turns to other things, because we’ve had this conversation before.
    I miss Luis. It’s not the same without him here tonight. He’s having dinner with his family, who are all staying in the city so they’re close by for the race tomorrow. I really wish I were with him, right now.
    Am I over Will? It’s been four months since his death, and even when he was alive, I barely spent any time with him. It didn’t feel like that when the accident happened, but now, looking back, my relationship with him is starting to seem quite surreal.
    I go home early that night, while the others all head out to a bar in the Itaim area. The following morning I hide away in the kitchen again, poking my head out of the door to see if I can catch Luis when he arrives. I don’t know what I’ll say, but I’m hoping something will come to mind. When I finally do spot him, my heart flips and my spirits lift. I hurriedly wash my hands and go to walk out of the kitchen, but then I realise he has about ten members of his clan with him and my feet come to a stop. I turn around and hurry back to the worktop to continue with my chores. Hopefully I’ll get a chance to catch him alone later.
    But I don’t. As the minutes turn into hours and the race draws nearer, I worry that I won’t even get a chance to wish him good luck. Every time I see him, he’s surrounded. Holly comes into the kitchen to ask if I’m going to watch the race.
    ‘Are you kidding? I wouldn’t miss it.’
    ‘For the last time ever, girls,’ Frederick says, a tinge of sadness in his voice. ‘Can you take the tea, coffee and biscuits with you to the pits.’
    ‘Yes, Chef!’ we chorus, and he smiles at us.
    ‘Ooh, I feel a bit sad, actually,’ Holly says as we trek across the way to the garages.
    ‘Me, too.’
    ‘It’s the end of an era. I’m going to really miss working with you.’ She glances at me, tears in her eyes.
    ‘Oh, don’t, you’ll make me cry, too,’ I warn.
    ‘Okay, okay, let’s not get emotional,’ she jokes. ‘At least you’re still living with me.’
    ‘Not for long, I promise.’
    ‘Take as long as you need,’ she says. ‘Although saying that, I might have to move into town if I’m going to be working for Frederick and Ingrid. Don’t much fancy that commute in from the sticks.’
    ‘Yes, go on! That would be brilliant,’ I urge.
    ‘We’ll see.’
    Luis glances my way when we appear in the garages, but immediately averts his gaze and my heart sinks.
    ‘Daisy!’
    I look over to see Mrs Castro waving at me. I place the platter down on the serving table and walk her way, feeling horribly awkward and uncomfortable. I haven’t spoken to her son since Friday night, but I don’t think he will have told his mother that.
    ‘Hello!’ She gives me a big hug and I’m intensely aware of Luis’s nearby presence as he talks to Dan.
    Luis doesn’t make any effort to speak to me, so when I’ve exchanged pleasantries with the rest of his family, I make my excuses about needing to get back to work. I return to the serving table and help Holly set up the coffee cups.
    ‘Careful!’ she warns, when I almost drop one.
    ‘Sorry,’ I murmur, looking over to see if Luis noticed. He has his back to me. Cazzo , I feel so on edge. What if this is it? What if I’ve missed my chance? What if I don’t get to tell him that I care about him? What if he leaves the moment the race is over? No, I have to catch him alone. I’ll confront him on