I should have explained this when i started writing this story; I am a massive fan of Formula 1 and when I went to Highclere Castle I read that the 5th Earl had gone to the 1907 Grand Prix. It got me thinking! Especially about a certain Irish Chauffeur, who might want to go to a race. The whole story will, most likely be based on that from now on. If no-one reads it I do understand, but i've had such fun researching this (Wikipedia was very helpful) that i'm going to post it anyway. I hope you do read and enjoy it. :)
Cora slumped into a chair in Rosamund's apartment. The first few days in Paris had been rather hectic. They had arrived Wednesday evening, so most of Thursday had been spent unpacking and arranging everything. Yesterday Branson had driven them into the centre of town to go sightseeing. At Sybil's insistence Branson enjoyed a fair share of this as well. Today had been spent in a similar fashion, with Mary acknowledging various dress shops that she wanted to visit. They had returned to the apartment to change before going out for dinner. Edith and Mary were upstairs but could be heard arguing. Sybil was sat in a chair opposite, reading. She looked up as the argument got louder.
"Perhaps Anna has finished with them." Sybil, being the youngest was used to changing last.
Cora sniggered. "Perhaps Anna needs rescuing! There's no way they are both ready yet." Sybil sighed uneasily. She hated it when her sisters argued. She found where she had got to on the page and continued reading. A few minutes later Mary stormed down the stairs and into their tranquillity.
"She is impossible!" she said, pointing vaguely in the direction she had come from.
Having not really listened to Mary's side of the argument Sybil excused herself and went upstairs. An Idea was forming in her head as she dressed and continued to develop while they were having dinner. Later on she put the idea to her mother.
"Mama, you know Branson is going to the car racing. Well I wondered if I could go with him."
"I see, and leave me with your sisters squabbling all day."
"No! I was thinking of taking Edith. It will be easier for you and Mary, and us too in the long run. You know what Mary is like; if she saw any bridesmaid dresses, and we said we didn't like them she would pick them just to upset Edith. Anyway, with the racing, I thought it would be easier to leave tomorrow and stay in a hotel or something a bit closer. That way we wouldn't have to get up so early. Branson was a bit worried about how long it would take to get from here to Le Mans."
"Darling, all the hotels might already be full. I understand that some people travel from around the world to race at these things. I suppose Branson might know, you'd better go and ask him."
"Okay! I was going to ask him if he minds us going anyway." She said nonchalantly as she walked to the door.
"Sybil! Wait! Haven't you asked him yet?" Her mother said disapprovingly. "I guess this means you haven't asked Edith either. You will need to ask her tonight if you are planning on leaving tomorrow."
"Yes Mama." She sped along the corridor and into Edith's room. Her sister was sitting in bed reading.
"Heavens, Sybil, what is it?"
"Would you like to come to Le Mans tomorrow, if I can persuade Branson to take us? We'll make a grand few days of it and be spared Mary's initial torment of looking at dresses." Her last comment pleased Edith.
"Alright."
"Good! I'll ask Tom and pop back in a bit." She disappeared again down the corridor and flounced into the servants quarters. Anna was sitting at the little table. "Oh, Anna," she said breathlessly "have you..."She stopped "you've been waiting for me again, haven't you? I'm so sorry. I just need to talk to Branson, and then I am going to bed."
"Yes milady."
"Oh, and I need to talk to Edith, but I can do that in my nightdress. Do you know where Tom is?" Anna walked to one of the doors which led off from the main room.
"Tom, are ye there?" she called quietly so as not to disturb Miss O'Brien. Sure enough he appeared in the doorway. Anna paused for a moment-she felt she ought to play chaperone, but instead she walked to the other door. "I'll wait for you upstairs, Milady."
"Thank you Anna." Sybil put her plan to Tom, hoping he wouldn't mind too much giving up his day off. He didn't. She gave him a quick peck on the cheek before flying back up the stairs.
The following day Branson drove Lady Sybil and Lady Edith west. Edith was beginning to wonder what she had let herself in for. Sybil was eagerly sitting forward in her seat, chatting to Branson.
"So, where are we actually going?" Edith had been told to pack for a couple of days, but little more.
"I've told you. Le Mans." Sybil replied as if it were all self explanatory.
"It's the French Grand prix, Milady." Branson added.
"What's that?" Edith asked curtly.
"Car racing! Oh Edith, even I knew that." Sybil exclaimed. Branson chuckled. "What?"
"You didn't really know. You had to ask me."
"Shut up." Sybil playfully hit Branson on the arm. "So, how many drivers will there be?" He laughed again.
"I think you should have confiscated my chosen reading material and read it yourself." He wasn't going to let her forget about his magazine. "Apparently there are nearly twenty signed up, but I doubt they will all attend."
"Why not? It sounds like a big deal to race."
"It is, but sometimes the cars aren't ready and so on. I've heard that there's been some trouble with the fiats, so they probably won't run. That would mean that we are two down already."