Chasing Daisy

embraces, delighted with their second-place result. Will’s side of the garage is more restrained, but they all clap politely.
    We run outside to watch the victory lap and wait for Luis to pull in. He leaps out of the car and bounds over to the waiting mechanics for a massive group hug. I’m in the middle of the throng, getting pulled this way and that, and it’s easy to get swept away in the mood of the moment. The thought occurs to me that if Luis hadn’t messed up his start, he would have won. Maybe he should cut out the late nights and partying . . . I wonder if Simon is also thinking the same thing.
    We go excitedly en masse to witness the handing out of the trophies and Holly and I squeal as the drivers on the podium spray champagne over us and the crowd below. Finally they file inside for the press conference. I look around but can’t see Will, then I notice him being interviewed by a camera crew. He looks serious. Professional. At that moment he glances my way, and as our eyes meet, he seems to falter for a split-second. He quickly turns back to the interviewer and continues, but as Holly and I return to the garages to watch the press conference on the TV screens, I’m too caught up in my thoughts to concentrate.
    Hours later, when we’re in the middle of a mass clear-up session, Simon calls me in to the directors’ suite. Holly and Frederick look at me in alarm as I hurry after him, terrified he’s going to fire me for damaging one of the scooters. Inside the suite, he motions for me to sit down on the sofa as he takes the one opposite.
    ‘How are you finding things?’ he asks, blue-grey eyes studying me. He’s quite attractive, Simon. In his mid-forties, with a tanned, weathered face and short, sandy-blond hair.
    ‘Fine, fine,’ I stutter.
    ‘Not planning on jumping ship anytime soon?’
    ‘No, no, of course not.’
    ‘Good,’ he says brusquely. ‘Daisy, as you know, last year we had Jen to look after the boys.’ He means Jennifer, the girl I mentioned earlier. I nod, both intrigued and relieved this is not about my scooter crash. ‘This year I was after a more hands-on approach with everyone helping out.’
    ‘Yes?’
    ‘But one of the boys has asked if we can revert to last year’s setup.’
    One of the boys?
    ‘Right . . .’
    ‘I’m wondering if you’d be up for doing the job.’
    I’m speechless with surprise. Will asked for me? It can’t have been Luis.
    ‘It’s the same sort of thing you’re doing now,’ he continues. ‘Helping out Frederick and looking after the rest of the team as usual, but you’d also have more direct contact with Will and Luis – and me, if I need help with anything. Does that sound okay?’
    He doesn’t expect me to say no.
    ‘Yes! That sounds great!’
    ‘Good.’ He stands up and it’s clear our meeting is over.
    I walk back into the kitchen and Holly and Frederick know right away that I haven’t been fired.
    ‘What is it?’ Holly asks, smiling.
    ‘I’ve got Jennifer’s job,’ I reply, still feeling a little dazed.
    ‘Jen’s job?’ she checks suspiciously.
    ‘Yes. Looking after Will, Luis and Simon . . .’
    ‘Oh!’ She seems surprised. ‘Well, good for you,’ she says, and carries on cleaning down the surfaces.
    I was expecting her to be happier for me than that, but perhaps it’s because Frederick is around.
    Speaking of whom. ‘You’re not above washing the dishes,’ Frederick says gruffly, pointing to the sink.
    But as my promotion sinks in, not even the Eiffel Tower of plates in front of me can wipe the smile off my face.

 
Chapter 4
     
    I can’t remember what Will looks like. I’ve had intense crushes before, when the same thing has happened. It’s been this way ever since I was a teenager.
    I concentrate hard and try to focus on Will’s face in my mind. Those blue eyes . . . Yes! There he is! And almost as suddenly he’s gone again.
    I switch on my bedside lamp and climb out of bed. On the dressing table there’s a pile of magazines and I riffle through them until I come to an old issue from a few weeks ago. Will’s face graces the front cover, but no, it doesn’t look right. Something’s missing.
    ‘Daisy, switch off the bloody light!’
    I quickly put down the magazine and climb back into bed, doing as Holly says.
    ‘Sorry!’ I whisper.
    She just groans and pushes the sheet off her body in the bed next to me.
    It’s so hot and humid here. We’re in Kuala Lumpur and it’s been four days