Brands Hatch Circuit
West Kingsdown, Sevenoaks, Kent, UK
Dawn
Another day, another miracle in the English summertime covers the skies of the island nation.
South of London comes Brands Hatch, a venue recognized by both local and not local race fans.
Even as early as 6 in the morning, the pit lane accumulates a select gathering of geniuses and workforces of the race world.
A brown Cayman rolls through the back, highlighting an arrival..
Inside, Scottish up-and-coming racer Paul directs the driver and owner of the aforementioned car: his sister Fiona Henderson to an open parking slot.
Paul: "Right here! Giles gone got us a slot, sister!"
Fiona: "All righty!"
As the car settles, Fiona shuts down the petite Porsche and the siblings exit the car, not keeping quiet.
Paul: "Ach. Bugger me, that Giles. Lad knows I hate early mornings. Thanks for keeping me company, sister."
Fiona: "Don't bother! It's nothing.. was hoping Carrie could come and.."
Mention of his wife got Paul to stammer as he interrupts..
Paul: "Of course she be! Just that it's exams season, and me darling can't afford another day off. Not to mention it's 6 AM!"
Fiona: "Logical. Y'know I'm here mainly because ma always wants me to keep yer molded hair clean of any mess?"
A tease from the supermodel lady didn't do his emotions justice, as he mildly argues back in grief..
Paul: "Oi, you mention me locks one more time, I.."
Fiona: "What? Can't take a little fluff, laddie?! AHAHA!"
She then struts towards the pits, followed hastily by her little brother as he continues..
Paul: "But seriously, sister.. you being here confirms that I'm in a spot of bother, and you being here makes up fer a million, honest."
Fiona: "Again, man.. I mean.. you scratch me itch, I scratch yers! It's the Henderson sibling life's agreement, Paul."
After a quick yawn and stretch, Fiona's then thought of her exertion of the early morning, querying with concern..
Fiona: "Though.. remind me why ARE we here in the wee hours? Hour out of London on sun break, and you can bet I could really go fer a quick snoozer."
Paul: "Me boss is concerned too of my well being on track, and we've only got a window this tiny to meet and hopefully get that sorted out.."
Putting her right hand under her cheek, she commented as they keep moving..
Fiona: "Fancy way of saying he's got a tight schedule?"
Paul: "Aye, pal's got a museum business to expand all o'er the Earth. I don't got much else to carry on with that.. it's not my thing."
Fiona: "No worries. So as long he's not a git or anything.."
There isn't another garage as busy as with Aston Martin, and the arrival of these Scottish siblings has them learn that statement personally.
A select roster of the crew that accompanies Paul in his race days keeps the place in order, in the expense of their own stamina.
As Paul waves hi to his mates, Fiona then ask..
Fiona: "I recognize that! That's your car?"
Paul: "That it be, next to something else.. focus for a moment, Fiona: you find this fellow that stands out? Lad's got.. dark skin, clean patches of hair, and this high class vibe offa him?"
Fiona: "Scanning.."
Before she could complete a sweep with her sights, said decription of a man did already appear, and also already came close, giving the supermodel a quick hum.
Fiona: "Mmm.. I'd say he found us, brother."
Museum owner slash Aston Martin race manager Giles then greeted..
Giles: "6 in the morning. Prompt and on time like always, are you, Paul?"
Paul: "Ehh.. I hate it when you do this, but I try me best. You alright?"
His amber eyes then turn towards the companion he knows little of..
Giles: "Good. Good. And this is.. Carrie?"
While Fiona glanced, Paul already came in between to point out, amused slightly..
Paul: "Fraid not, you goof. This is Fiona."
Fiona: "Fiona.. umm.. fashion model. On and off, actually. I'm studying to get a degree in dance. You might've seen me on Strictly Come Dancing.."
Fiona's greet was full of the character and beauty she's quite famous for, giving Paul a hint to the staring Giles..
Paul: "Don't be saying ye be off that hook, lad. I know you were thinking it, you eejit. She be my sister."
A quick slap to himself follows as Giles shakes himself silly before sincerely proclaiming..
Giles: "Oh Jesus. Developed it has, yes, but honest: that thought hadn't escaped me, honest! Please accept this blighter's apology, ma'am. Giles Crowden. Here's my card."
As he hands his museum's business card, he follows with a kiss to Fiona's hand, akin to greeting royatly.
Fiona: "Charmed. And of course."
Spoke Fiona softly as she reddens a little.
Turning back to Paul, Giles asks..
Giles: "Considering your sister's here, can I assume she's not kept up to speed on why you're here?"
Paul: "Not in detail, is it?"
Fiona: "Don't hold back the details, now."
Knowing it's time, Giles then gestured the pair to a set of arranged plastic chairs, though shamefully had to admit..
Giles: "Sit! Don't worry, I mean, it's a pit lane, not a lounge for crying out loud. It'd be different if it was my property we're on."
After they've sat and settled, Giles then questioned the lady, speaking gently..
Giles: "Now.. let's see what you already know. If you please, Miss Fiona?"
Fiona: "That.. my little brother here's the face of some racing league. That much I know. But what I also know is that he's in a rut. Again. And I play a main role in digging him out of it. AS ALWAYS.."
Giles: "My my! I'd agree on that, but.. it's going to take more than you to help this poor sod out."
He was the target, so of course he was offended, as Paul then talked back disgruntled..
Paul: "Oi! Uncalled for!"
Fiona: "HAH! But true."
Seeing an image on how much she knows, Giles decided to use those words literally in his head, and presents..
Giles: "Anyhow.. well, I can help draw that picture for you. He's in a rut because.. don't take it the other way now.."
The siblings take a quick whisper to each other as the curator pauses..
Paul: "He knows of the family rage."
Fiona: "I bet he does with that face."
Knowing he's interrupted, Giles at least paused, until now where he returns..
Giles: "..bluntly saying, he's been underperforming. Simple as that. Thing is, I've known Paul for years cause there was a time we were racing, and trust my years consulting museum pieces: this blighter can never be simple when we go and try settle his problems."
Not knowing this, Fiona then asked..
Fiona: "You. And him? You guys raced?"
Paul: "It's a past time, Fiona. When I was so angry, I'm surprised I dinna kill anyone."
Keeping order, Giles then moved on, reassuring the pair..
Giles: "We won't be worrying about killing nobody now, you blighter.. For today, he's among friends and close buddies. Max's on his way as we speak, and I think we might have a small but competitive lot to have you sorted for the future."
Fiona: "Fascinating! You're going to have a proper showdown today, it's what it is? REAL shame about Carrie.."
Paul: "Aye. True, but this all just be me needing a kick in the arse, is all. I don't even know why we haf ta bring all kinds of people about when we can just call up the lads on Goodwood or something."
Responding, Giles then stood from his seat, looking down as he declares..
Giles: "I.. well, this is all Max's idea, see. He feels that.. if we laugh together in our comfy zone, you'll eventually learn to laugh out loud when you feel like it."
Fiona: "This is a pretty s[BLEEP] analogy, would you say?"
Paul: "Agreed. Creepy uncle Max is the kind of man that knows what he says."
Giles: "Don't shoot the messenger, Jesus.. Sam, give me a hint, will you?"
Hearing mention of that, Paul looks to the side, seeing a suited up secretary, holding a paperback and noting the conversation..
Amused by the devilish secretary's now revealed presence, Fiona noted..
Fiona: "Odd, I didn't realize we're being documented."
Samantha: "Could be worse, trust me. Sir Giles, may I.."
Now off her chair, the devil walks with her pumps clacking and leaned towards her superior's ears, whispering.
With that in mind, Giles then announces to the siblings..
Giles: "Ah! Well! He wants you to.. not feel bogged down that everyone around the world is watching your exploits! Those truly are the words. Thank you, Sam."
A better analogy in play, Fiona then enthusiastically stated..
Fiona: "Paul! You really feeling the weight, or.."
Paul: "Honest to goodness.. maybe a little..ish?"
Giles: "'A little' is precedence for a lot if we don't address this now. I wish I had control of whatever cloud that casts upon that head of yours."
With mention of head, Samantha adds..
Samantha: "It explains the poor hairdo."
Giles: "I feel that's not relevant, Sam. So.. I think I need Max to be around before we can get something going. One more question. Fiona?"
Fiona: "Aye?"
Moving closer, Giles then questioned..
Giles: "Max tells me your presence always seems to work wonders if Paul's not in his groove.. care to comment?"
Fiona: "Comment? Not quite. Confirm? That's accurate to a T. If I could, I would follow my brother to every race if I could! Da' wouldn't mind seeing us both on the telly, you know?"
Paul: "Fiona! You don't haf ta! I mean.. you've got a career too, and a degree to study fer!"
Not liking this sudden raise in tone, the museum man stepped in.
Giles: "And so do we. I'd prefer we keep out careers intact. Now, how about a quick trip to the past? If you may, Sam?"
Knowing it's time, the devilish Samantha walked across the garage, and opened a light, lightening up a dark side to the room that veils..
Recognizing the car, Paul speaks in amazement.
Paul: "Well hold me down some.. It's a DBR9!"
Giles: "You like it? Bought it months ago for the museum. And after some testing last weekend, today I take that V12 out of dormancy and back to where it belongs."
Samantha: "Honestly.. Mr. Giles, the test numbers don't lie. Analysis indicates it's able for official competition."
Giles: "Why, yes, Samantha.. I was getting to it. However, we don't quite have the numbers for Group 3 BOP. That's coming in later.."
Seeing Giles's grubby hands all over the car's present, Paul thought, then exclaimed..
Paul: "How's about a request we ride the roads together, like old times?"
He couldn't hide his excitement for one moment, but regained composure as Giles then replied..
Giles: "Calm down, you blighter! Again, I have to make a request.. I am managing your team this season, so.. it might not be soon."
Samantha: "Perhaps I can prepare the proceedings for this?"
Giles: "Why of course, Sam. Actually, you compile what I need to fill and know, put it for first thing tomorrow on my desk, if you please? Cheers."
On that cue, Samantha leaves, but to herself, she mumbles with hints of lust and joy combined..
Samantha: "Capital! And tomorrow, Sam.. it's going to be.. 'oh jolly good work, you are indeed the very best, I love you, mwah mwah mwah'!"
Back to the three, Giles then had more to reveal to Paul.
Giles: "Like some good news, Paul? Old times really was on the radar, so I had to call a certain someone to bring his team over and we can measure out our.. you know."
Paul: "Honestly.. lad, I'm impressed you can even do that. I mean.. with me, it's a 50-50 at best. Probably worse."
Giles: "Having a similar aura between us, as refined gentlemen, I mean, has its benefits. I mean.. I get it, why he calls you THE brute."
Fiona: "Brute? Oh, I know the only one person with that on his frequent miles.."