Chaos on the F1 Grid

It was the week of the Spanish Grand Prix, and Charles had no choice but to speak to Eleanore – especially after Mia had cornered him in his drivers room on the Wednesday after his seat fitting.

Mia: ok Leclerc, this is how it is – I spoke with Eleanore yesterday, and you need to talk to her. The photos are going to come out, she cannot stop it from happening this time.

He didn't understand what Mia meant by 'this time'. Had more photos appeared? He was certain he hadn't kissed any other women, so what photos could there possibly be.

Charles: what are you talking about?

Mia: wow, you really don't know?

Charles: know what Mia?

Mia: well, before all of the drama of the boys/girls night out, she had been walking through Monaco when two girls went up to her – they had recognised her. They were bragging about pictures of one of them kissing you. At the time Eleanore thought we were together, and that this would hurt me, and damage your image – the girls had planned on releasing them during Imola race week. Eleanore had pretended to be interested in the gossip, and managed to erase the photos, restore the phone to factory settings, and then 'accidentally' threw it under a car to destroy it.

Charles was shocked to hear that Eleanore had gone to such lengths, but told himself it was just to protect her friend Mia from being hurt. After all, she had made it clear that she didn't care about him at all.

Mia: look, you need to talk to her – she needs to know how to deal with this. Also, you should tell her that you aren't with that girl... because right now she thinks you are.

Charles: what does she care if I am!?

Mia: you are an idiot, a stubborn idiot.

He couldn't believe when Mia stormed out of his room and slammed the door shut behind her. How was he in the wrong? Eleanore had made it clear she didn't care. They had gotten close and he had shared so much with her that night in Bahrain, and then she began ignoring him. He had felt stupid for letting himself be vulnerable with her, yet kept trying to speak to her – he had messaged and called. Desperate to know what he had done wrong, and why she suddenly couldn't stand the sight of him. yes, he knew now that Lando had blocked them on each other's phones, but she still ignored him in person. Did Mia really expect him to just forget about that? Not wanting to piss Mia off, he decided to go and do what she had asked him – speak to Eleanore. Before knocking on her door he took a deep breath, the moment he heard her voice he felt weak.

Eleanore: come in.

He opened the door, and Eleanore smiled at him, inviting him to take a seat.

Charles: Mia said you needed to speak to me about a photo.

He thought for a moment he saw disappointment in her eyes, but he dismissed it immediately.

Eleanore: yeah, I tried to speak to you at the police station... but you had your hands full with your brother...

Charles: yes.

Charles didn't want to be short with her, he wanted to talk to her like they had at the swimming pool, but he couldn't let himself be vulnerable again.

Charles: to be clear I am not with that girl. She kissed me... I was angry and upset, I kissed her back, then behaved like an idiot for 15 minutes then came to my senses.

Eleanore: so, you aren't together?

Charles: no. does that make PR better or worse?

Eleanore: I wasn't asking out of PR interest that time...