Petunia

Petunia was getting used to sitting in the plush chair opposite Ms. Dewmeadow's desk to report back on the race weekend. This time, there were three congratulatory hampers instead of one, each with a caged champagne cork poking out of the top. Ms. Dewmeadow was beaming across the desk, but Petunia couldn't shake thoughts of the Castelloro gang. Or the team's financial situation.

Ms. Dewmeadow was saying, "-and I hope it's the first of many more to come, sponsoring this team has been one of the best decisions I've made this year."

That just made the knot in Petunia's stomach tighter. "Ms. Dewmeadow, um…"

"What's up, Petunia? You don't look like the manager of a team that just got its first dub on only its fourth race."

"There's, um, there's something I need to talk to you about."

Ms. Dewmeadow frowned, but it was a kindly frown. "What's wrong?"

Petunia struggled to draw a deep enough breath. "We're, um, the team I mean, we're really tight for money right now, I don't know how long we'll be able to keep operating."

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Ms. Dewmeadow's face fell, her smile foundering under an unreadable wash of emotions. "I really can't afford to give you any more money, Petunia-"

"No, no no no it's not like that, that's not what I mean, I just mean, um, we need, we're starting to think about, y'know, more sponsors and stuff, and, um,"

"Oh, is that all? That's-" Ms. Dewmeadow's face went from relief back to concern. "Is it a problem?"

"Well, um, we're already starting to get some offers, a lot of it is practical stuff, like, equipment companies offering us gear subsidies and stuff for equipment we should have. I mean, like, harnesses and sensors and stuff. But there's also, like, we need to expand the team to use all of that stuff and to do that we need more money and there's road costs and stabling costs and everything for the races down south and so we need to find some cash sponsors, but-" Petunia ran out of breath and couldn't catch it back, her diaphragm felt like a tight seatbelt crossing just a bit too high over her waist.

"You need bigger sponsors than Property Rentals, Acquisitions and Notarised Contracts, you mean?" Although Ms. Dewmeadow's voice was steady and she gave the company's full name as she always did, it was the slightest touch softer than usual, and Petunia felt the sadness in it.

"No no no, we wouldn't be, uh, ending your sponsorship, it's just we need to get some bigger companies involved, it's just we – P.R.A.N.C., I mean – wouldn't be the biggest sponsor anymore, is that OK?"

Ms. Dewmeadow's head tilted to one side. "I guess so. I mean, if it's what you need to keep the team going." Then she smiled. "I'll always be your first sponsor, though, nothing can take that away. The further you go, the more that means."