G&J (https://archiveofourown.org/series/1735738)
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
2019: Abu Dhabi GP - My Favourite Chapter About My Favourite Trio
George was pleasantly surprised to see Jamie in the Williams hospitality on Wednesday night. She wasnât her usual bubbly self but maybe she was anxious about the test. The rookie test was happening after the race. George was driving for Mercedes and after speaking to Nicholas, they both had thought Jamie would be doing one session with Williams. She was the only junior driver for the team now, as Nicholas had officially been announced for the team next year.
Jamieâs knuckles were white with how hard she was clutching her coffee mug. Claire had apologised profusely to her and Rupert. She wasnât driving an F1 car. Not this season anyways. The session was going to Roy Nissany, an unknown F2 driver. In her controlled rage, Jamie had signed on to stay as a development driver for next year alongside Dan Ticktum. Claire and Sophie tried to justify it and Jamie tried to understand. But right now, she couldnât. She felt like sheâd been slapped in the face.
Still, she tried to put her PR face forward when Amanda dragged her to a Q&A on Thursday.
George smiled as Jamie came into sight. âI thought Italy was your last race?â He greeted her with a sideways hug that she reciprocated.
âSo did I,â she replied shortly. Nicholas and Robert greeted her hello on the balcony.
âShe canât do any of the Christmas filming so weâre having you all here now,â explained Emma, âSophieâs on maternity leave so please be nice to me.â
Robert went in front of the camera first. âHow come you wonât be at the factory?â asked Nicholas.
âIâm racing in Asian F3.â Her tone was sharp, the usual bubbly attitude was gone. She did her bit to record a Christmas message and then returned to her phone. Next, all four of them had a media session in the paddock club and Jamie put all her years of PR training to use for that half an hour.
For dinner, she sat in the corner of the hospitality, wallowing in her sadness. Rupert came to join her, not happy seeing her alone.
George spotted her from the other side as he was having dinner with Nicholas. âSomethingâs wrong.â
Nicholas followed his eyes across the room. âAgreed. I donât know if sheâs mad or sad though.â They turned to Emma.
âNo clue,â she said. âMaybe itâs personal?â
âWell, we canât have her upset at a race weekend.â George wiped his mouth with a napkin and stood up. âYou coming Nicky?â
âIf youâre upset with us and donât want us around, say so and weâll head back,â declared George.
Jamie smiled up at him and patted the seats either side of her. âCould never be mad at you two.â
Just as they both had sat down, another man emerged at the hospitality door and he headed straight for their table.
âHi!â he said enthusiastically.
âHey Roy, isnât it?â said Nicholas, recognising him.
âYeah, nice to meet you all.â He shook hands with all three drivers around the table. âSo whoâs giving up the car?â
Jamieâs chair scrapped the ground as she mumbled and headed upstairs.
âSorry,â said Nicholas, turning back to face Roy. âWhoâs giving what car?â
âIâm doing the post race test,â he smiled back.
âCongrats,â said Rupert insincerely as George and Nicholas shared a look. âHeard you might be headed back into F2 next year as well.â As the two continued their conversation, George pulled his phone out.
âEmmaâs just messaged us Nicky, some press briefing thing.â
Nicholas took his phone out. âHas she? Iâve not got anything.â
George stood up. âYour phoneâs being slow, come on, upstairs, now.â George gave him a pointed look. Nicholas appeared to understand and stood up and the two started to walk.
âSee you guys around then?â smiled Roy as they walked and awkwardly waved goodbye.
George reached the landing at the top first. It was much quieter up here, a group of 5 people were having drinks in one corner. And in the small spot right at the back Jamie was leaning against the railings.
âHey,â he said softly as Nicholas followed behind him. Jamie turned and faced the two with her arms crossed. She looked cute angry, thought George, but nowâs not exactly the time to think of it.
Nicholas grabbed some chairs and all three took a seat.
âHeâs not even done any racing this year...â The words were getting caught in Jamieâs throat. Her voice was trembling with rage.
âWe thought you were getting the test,â said Nicholas, his voice small.
âYeah, thatâs why I thought you were here,â added George. The two leaned forwards in their chairs, closer to her.
âYeah well, I flew all the way here to try and do some last minute convincing as well.â She put her face in her hands and leaned her elbows on her knees. âIâm not getting a go in the car anytime soon, am I?â
âNot if we keep bothering Claire about it,â said Nicholas. That made her smile.
âTheyâre only taking him for the cash, no offence Nicky,â started George.
âNone taken,â replied the Canadian.
âEveryone in this motorhome and a hell of a lot of people outside know youâre much faster,â he continued. Nicky nodded in agreement. âHe got what? One point in his year of F2?â
âOne more than you in your rookie season,â interrupted Jamie.
âAnd sheâs back,â smiled George. âUp you come.â He stood up and hugged her tightly and she hugged him back. âDonât be shy Nicky, join in.â
Jamie chucked and extended an arm to hug Nicholas as well. âThanks you two,â she mumbled from where she was trapped.
âCome on Jamie, donât want rumours do you?â George chuckled as he let go and the other two followed suit.
âSo whenâs the first F3 race?â asked Nicholas, leading the trio back downstairs.
â13th December,â she replied.
âIâll see you at Autosports Awards then?â said George.
âYeah Iâll be there,â she smiled. âAlso, an exclusive for you two.â George and Nicholas stopped on the stairs. âOfficially signed on for next year with you guys as well.â
The two men grinned excitedly.



















