Chapter 1 – In the Clouds Above London
The engines of the Boeing roared, and the plane trembled slightly as it pushed through the dense clouds over the English Channel. Marta pressed her nose to the window, as if she wanted to see London before they even landed.
– You know I love this moment – she murmured. – From above, every city looks like a Christmas tree, even if down below it smells of exhaust and rain.
Alex didn’t answer right away. He sat calmly, phone in hand, talking to a mechanic in Warsaw. His tone was cold and measured, as always when it came to cars.
– Yes. The GT-R comes back today by cargo. Everything needs to be ready. We’re changing the turbo, the intercooler, electronics to full power. Minimum goal… three thousand horsepower.
The mechanic on the other end apparently coughed. Alex, however, remained composed. – Yes, three thousand. Godzilla has to be ready when I get back. I’m not interested in excuses.
Marta turned sharply, raising an eyebrow. – Three thousand horsepower? – she repeated, looking at him in disbelief. – Are you, by any chance, trying to build your own space program?
– This isn’t a space program – Alex replied coolly, ending the call and setting the phone aside. – This is my car.
– Sure – Marta snorted, crossing her arms. – And in a moment I’ll find out NASA asked you for consulting.
Alex glanced at her from the corner of his eye, barely lifting the corner of his mouth. – Not yet.
Marta laughed so loudly that the passenger in front of them turned around, irritated. – You are absolutely impossible. Three thousand horsepower… Let me guess, you want Chopin Airport in Warsaw to be closed for an hour during takeoff because your car will burn the runway?
– That would be nice – Alex replied with a deadpan face.
Marta shook her head and looked out the window again. – And us? What are we left with in London? Because the RX-7 already looked so exhausted at check-in I was afraid it wouldn’t pass security.
As if to confirm her words, Alex pulled out his phone and opened a picture from the workshop: the RX-7 was there with a puddle of oil underneath. – The engine seized.
– Perfect – Marta hissed. – It’s like someone handed me high heels for a runway, and they broke on the first step.
– Relax – Alex said, this time a bit warmer. – I have a plan.
Marta glanced at him suspiciously. – When you say you have a plan, I start to get scared.
– We’ll get something special – he replied, his eyes lighting up. – Something that suits you.
– Suits me? – Marta laughed. – Excuse me, but there’s no car that could keep up with my temperament.
– There is – Alex said calmly. – Acura NSX.
Marta froze for a moment, then slowly smiled widely. – NSX? White?
– Exactly.
– I love you – she said without hesitation, making the nearby flight attendant glance at them in surprise.
Alex, as usual, remained unfazed. – I know.
As the plane began its descent and the foggy panorama of London stretched below them – Big Ben, the Thames winding like a silver ribbon, Tower Bridge – Marta rested her head on Alex’s shoulder.
– You know they drive on the left in London? – she murmured. – What will you do if you mix it up and crash head-on into a red bus?
– Then I’ll say I’m a tourist – Alex replied calmly. – And that I was running out of time.
– Time or whisky – Marta snorted. – With your love for Scotch, you’ll look like a slimmed-down version of Winston Churchill.
Alex adjusted his shirt cuff, as if confirming her words. – I’ve got the cigar ready.
Marta burst out laughing, and London drew closer, ready for another dose of their chaos.
