The alarm roused me far too early but not so early that i've got time to waste before heading out for the Taxi a la Olaf – which reminds me, I need to have words with Max about that. I didn't so much leap from the comfort of my duvet as slither, I guess you can expect a bit of morning chill this time of year but it still comes as a surprise. Oh well, guess i'd best get used it, I've signed up for two years at the Business School.

Bathroom, sort hair – I can do more finesse in the car, leggings, jumper – where are those boots? Bed to kitchen fifteen minutes, not too bad I guess. Coffee on, cheese and ham on rye as they say across the pond, carton of fermented flavoured dairy product, all set. I poured a mug of coffee and sank into a chair to eat – another ten minutes gone, at this rate I'm gonna have to get up even earlier!

“You still here?” Mum greeted.
“Just finishing, there's coffee in the pot.”
“Guessing no Brötchen though?”
“The bakery opens in ten minutes,” I suggested as I cleard my debris.
“Hmmph,” she didn't sound too chuffed at the intimation, “You coming back with Max?”
“Dunno yet.”
“Well let your Dad know.”
“Uh huh,” I allowed as I pulled on my boots, “You not back tonight?”
“Tomorrow evening, i've got some shop to visit in the morning.”
“Real work eh?”
“Cheeky!”
“Well I'm off, say hi to Tali's rents for me, tschussie.”
“I will and take care.” she pulled me into a quick hug before I escaped into the early morning greyness.
 
I gave Con's dad a wave as I passed the bakery, it seems a bit weird not going in to meet the others before school. I hurried on, out to the main road, over the crossing and then check my Handy for messages. Look I'm not that shallow but I sent one to Max over brekky confirming I was wanting transport this morning, no reply so I'm guessing its okay.

I'd barely got the phone back in my bag before Olaf pulled up.

“Sorry we're late,” Freddy told me as I climbed in, “We had to get fuel,”
“Morning everyone, 's no problem,” well I'm not going to admit to not exactly being punctual myself am I?
“Buckle up kids,” Olaf stated before pulling out into the early morning traffic.

Max leant over and gave me a smacker square on the lips.

“What's that for?” I asked when he put me down, “Not that I don't appreciate it.”
“Can't I add my congratulations to the Weltmeisterin, especially as she's my girl friend?”
“Hmm, don't I get another one, I did win two gongs you know!”
“You tell him Gab,” Freddy mentioned from up front Max.
“I guess I'll not get any peace if I don't,” the lunk hammed, “So where is this championista?”

Well its been a week, I took the initiative and pulled the Baron in waiting into a liplock that lasted onto the southbound autobahn.
 
Yes it might only be a week but its a week i've not spent getting used to my new seat of learning and of course my fellow students. It's a good job I had a bit of time to spare, I got myself lost twice on the way to the lecture theatre but finally found a seat just ahead of Lisbet Olafsdottir's arrival and door shutting. Well I'm here, just how much have I missed?

Well of course Lisbet knew about my Canadian sojourne, I probably should've been prepared but no, I was taken by surprise when she made my success part of her pre lecture pre-amble, its happened before of course but it never fails to cause a blush fest! You know what its like, I just want to be another student but picking me out just points the finger to suggest I'm not one of the gang.

“Sorry to drop that on you Gaby,” Lisbet told me as I collected a copy of the previous week's notes from her.
“I suppose I need to get used to it, not get embarrassed so easily.”
“You shouldn't be embarrassed by success Gaby, whether its on the sports field , business or academia you should be proud of your achievements.”
“I am, its just that I don't want to come over as a big head, nobody likes a braggard do they?”
“I hardly think you're a braggard Miss Bond, in fact I want to hear more from you in class. You have more life experience than the rest of your classmates put together, I'm not bothered if its not directly 'business' related if it has some relevance to the discussion. I'm sure your racing is much more involved than just turning up and riding, there will be months of training and planning, logistics, equipment choices – lots of decisions to give you a crack at the win. Its the same in business, the rewards may not be so obvious but to be a success you need the exact same elements.”
“I guess.”
“I know so.”
“I er better get on,” I mumbled.
“Tomorrow Gaby.”
 
I really will have to get myself organised better, we used to get our lunch from Thesing's when we met each morning, they aren't even open when I go past now. I waited my turn at the riverside kiosk, really do need to sort myself, this could get expensive, sandwich, mediocre coffee and maybe a muffin, not much change from a ten. Not only that but coming out won't exactly be fun when the weather's grot.

A few minutes later I was back in the atrium nibbling at my mozzarella and tomato, reading through Lisbet's course notes when my Handy started its SMS vibration thing. Probably Telekom telling me I need to top up. Wonder who that is, I fished out the now silent phone a flicked it open.

'ring me asao, dad'

Guess he means asap, wonder what's so urgent he wants me to call? I hit the speed dial and returned to my notes while I waited for the connection to be made. Of course it went straight to voice!

“Hi Dad, just me returning your call, will try again later,” well he might want me to pick something up before I go home.
“Gab, you still there?”
“Oh hi Dad, wassup?”
“What time do you finish?”
“Half two ish, i've only got accounts after lunch, why?”
“I'll pick you up outside then.”
“Okay, but why?” I repeated.
“You, young lady, will be on the telly tonight.”
“Telly?”
“Uh huh, the Rhein Abend people want you to do an interview for them, at the studio up in Bonn.”
“Studio?”
“You don't have to repeat everything I say kiddo.”
“But, but....”
“I'll pick you up, bring you home so you can shower and change then I'll take you up to Bonn.”
“But why?”
“Kiddo, make the most of it, fame doesn't last for long in the eyes of the media. I'll see you at two thirty.”
“Er right, ciao.”

I closed my Handy, me, on TV, the studio no less. Wow. Bum, i've not got anything to wear.
 
“Max?”
“Heya, I'm not late am I?”
“Its only half twelve dumbo, no, look I'm gonna have to cancel, Dad's picking me up.”
“Oh,” his voice dropped, “What about me? Don't I get a lift?”
“Its not like that, I'm gonna be on Rhein Abend tonight, we're going straight up from here,” I fibbed. Well we're only stopping off for me to get changed.
“The lives of the rich and famous,” he grunted.
“Hardly, look I'll ring later, i've got to get to class.”
“Whatever.”

He didn't sound very chuffed, but its hardly my fault, its not like he finishes at the same time or anything, I was gonna have to kill some time to go home with him.
 
Of course, the result of both conversations was that my mind was elsewhere all through accountancy class, just as well Herr Biscoff didn't pick on me today. I'm not usually the fastest out of class but for once I was out like a shot. I nearly went arse over on the steps down to the where Dad was waiting in Mum's A Klasse.

“Are we ever gonna have a decent car again?” I queried as we started to navigate the afternoon traffic, “This is a bit embarrasing.”
“Car snob now eh?”
“Course not but no one else has to go round in a car plastered with advertising.”
“Its part of your Mum's sponsorship package.”
“I know but it doesn't mean we have to go everywhere in it.”
“We don't.”
“The camper is hardly much better.”
“Its a tool kiddo, it doesn't have to be pretty.”
“I guess.”
“What's brought this on?”
“Eh?”
“Why the sudden interest in motorised transport?”
“What if the telly people see it?”
“So what if they do, not all famous people have Porsche's or BMW's you know.”
“I know.”
“Gab love, they want to talk to you about your racing, they aren't interested in the family transport.”

He paused as he concentrated in getting us through the congested Lohr Platz junction before going on, “Talking of motorised transport, your Mother suggested we get you a Mofa, as your Weihnachts gift.”
“Really? I thought you were against me having one?”
“Well I can't say as I'm exactly keen but as your Mum pointed out, we got your sister one and it would give you a bit more independence.”
“Less Dad's taxi you mean.”
“I won't say that I haven't considered that aspect, so what do you think?”

What do I think? To be honest I thought they'd forgotten all about the idea and other stuff has usurped it in my top ten of priorities. It would certainly make me less dependent on parental transport, not just mine but my friends too. Yeah I know I can use the Schauff but its hardly the same is it?

“Yes please!”
“You'll have to get some training and you'll be responsible for fuel and making sure its kept in good order.”
“Uh huh,” I allowed.
“There won't be anything else at Christmas,” he warned.
“Guess I can live with that,” I grinned.
“I'll talk some more with your Mother then.”
“Just promise you won't get me a pink helmet?”
“No pink helmet, I guess we can manage that,” Dad agreed.

Lets face it, that really would be taking the Michael.
 
The rest of the drive back up to Dernau in contemplative mood, the Mofa news certainly distracted me from what's coming up this evening. We were pulling up in the drive before I went into meltdown, what am I going to wear for the telly?

“Quick as kiddo,” Dad requested.

It’s alright for him, he hasn't got to decide how to dress for fifteen minutes of fame – even if it is only the local TV station.
 
Maddy Bell © 23.11.2018