Hanging By A Moment (Sequel to Funhouse)

Chapter 10

"Let me take your coat its wet" I tell her holding my hands out to take it. She doesn't answer me she just undoes the few buttons on it and hands it over to me.

I hang it over the radiator hoping it might dry it out a little.

I turn back round and smile at Kimberley she looks so vulnerable stood in my hallway with her messy hair & puffy eyes. I just want to grab her and hug her and tell her everything's going to be alright.

She gives me a shy smile back as her eyes travel down from my face to my torso then to my legs.

Its at that point I realise I only have a on a over size T-Shirt & nothing covering my legs.

"I'm just going to throw on some clothes I say" Feeling immediately exposed "Make yourself at home, I wont be long" I turn my back and walk quickly down the hallway to my bedroom door hoping that Kimberley doesn't run away while I'm gone.

I put on a pair of jeans & my favourite hoodie, I would of preferred to be a little more dressed up for my first meeting with Kimberley but I guess that's not really a option.

She's not standing in the hallway anymore and my heart immediately jumps in to my throat.

"Kimberley" I shout

"In here" I hear her call. I let out the breath I was holding. I compose myself before entering the living room to find her sitting on the Sofa.

"Can I get you a cup of tea?" I ask

"Please, one sugar and just -"

"I remember how you like your tea Kimberley, One Sugar Strong and just a drop of Milk" I smile after cutting her off

"Yeah" She smiles

"Be back in a second" I say as I scurry off in to the kitchen

I turn on the kettle, collect the milk from the fridge then place two cups on the work surface in front of me adding a tea bag to each then the sugar.

"I see your sweet tooth's still as sweet as ever" A voice behind me says

"Aye well, Need all the help I can get in the sweet department" I smile adding a final spoonful of sugar to my cup

"I'd have to strongly disagree some people have always been sweet enough on there own , with out the help" Kimberley chuckles

"Is that So" I laugh, it feels nice to be sharing a joke with Kimberley & definitely helped lift the tension.

"Go back in the room & stick the fire on, I'll be threw in a minute" I tell Kimberley noticing she still looks a little cold.

"You always where Bossy" She jokes as she walks away

"Oi Cheeky" I giggle

- - - - -

I finish making the tea & place a few biscuits on a plate poping the plate & cups on a tray and walk back in the living room placing the tray down on the coffee table.

Kimberley is sat on the Sofa so I decide to sit on the chair not wanting to over crowd her.

"So . ."

"I'm sorry for Showing up in the middle of the night, Cheryl. I just couldn't sleep and . ."

"Kimberley, Its fine.. Really. I'm glad you came her" I tell her

Tension builds as neither of us speak, I still after all this time don't know what to say.

"Four Years" She starts her voice breaking with emotion.

"I Know"

"Four years, Cheryl. Four Years" She says again a little louder this time

"I know, Kimberley" I say louder matching her tone.

"Where have you been all this time?" She asks her eyes drilling mine

"Around" I say cowardly

She tuts loudly "Don't give me 'Around' Cheryl, Do you have any idea what you've put me though? Not knowing?"

"I know"

"No, I don't think you do" She said raising her voice even higher "Not knowing if the person you love was just round the corner, Or in a different Country . . God Cheryl I didn't even know if he'd found you . ." The anger had turn to emotion now as tears trickled from her eyes.

My heart sank as I looked at the broken mess in front of me, I never stop to think that Kimberley would be worrying about me, I just expected her to be hurt for a few weeks months even then move on.

"I didn't even know if you was alive, Cheryl" She whispered the tears weren't trickling from her eyes now they where gushing like a waterfall. I felt helpless watching her fall to pieces in front of me not knowing if I should comfort her or not, I had cursed all this pain after all.

"Kimberley"

She failed to look at me she just continued to cry, I moved over to the sofa where she was sitting and brought my hand up to her face trying to wipe away her tears, it was useless though as fresh ones just came. I could feel the tears welling in my own eyes now.

"No" She said as she battered my hand away. I Reached out to her again but she resisted pushing me away.

"I . .I . .Thought you was Dead Cheryl" She sobbed louder.

I reach my arms out towards her this time more forcefully battling her resistances, I rapped my arms around her cradling her as she trembled uncontrollably in my arms letting herself be held.

"I Thought you was dead" She whispered in to my chest

"I'm not dead, I'm here Kimberley.. I'm not dead" I repeated as I held her letting her cry in my arms as I stroked the wet hair from her face