Chim- Can she fix it? YES SHE CAN

Chapter 4

“This is going to take a lot longer than I anticipated and it's going to be more costly”.

Cheryl surveys the site in front of her, scratching her head thoughtfully as the other girls mull over the plans handed to them by the PA.

“Yeah” Sarah agrees nodding, “these plans are much more extensive than the ones we saw a couple of weeks ago”

“Miss Walsh has been quite clear from the start about exactly what she wants doing and what time frame she wants it doing in” the PA replies haughtily.

Cheryl pulls herself up to her full, tiny, height before folding her arms across her chest defiantly.

“Well, Miss Walsh can either have the work done with time and care or she can have it rushed and shoddy”, she gives Felicity a withering look, “Tweedy's don't do rushed and shoddy, now do you want us to start or not?”

The PA's facial expression turns venomous,

“You can start but Miss Walsh will be hearing about this impertinence, don't expect to be here long”

As the horrid woman stalks off into the distance Cheryl lashes out at a pile of breeze blocks.

“Fcuking twat!” she growls, not flinching as her fist makes impact with the concrete.

“Bloody hell go easy!” Sarah exclaims, “we're not gonna be getting any work done if you break your hand”

“Or the breeze blocks for that matter” she adds jokily.

“She's right, don't let the b*tch wind you up, God knows how she got a job in public relations with an attitude like that!” Nadine rolls her eyes, “do you want us to go get the equipment from the van?”

“Yeah please” the Geordie nods emphatically, “you stay and go over the plans with us Nic”

The two blondes troop off leaving Cheryl alone with Nicola.

“Your hand's bleeding” , the redhead studies the wounds, gently running a thumb over her friend's grazed knuckles, “it needs cleaning and wrapping up, we don't want yous getting any infections”

“Stop fussing pet”, Cheryl smiles at the younger girl, “it's only a flesh wound...me own stupid fault...it's not as if it's gonna do any permanent damage to us hand”

“We definitely wouldn't want that...those fingers of yours can work magic” Nicola grins as the Geordie starts laughing.

“Any excuse to flirt with us eh Nic?”

“Hmm...I meant what I said earlier about de-stressing you”, the redhead replies, moving behind the brunette, massaging her shoulders through the plaid material of her shirt.

“You're so tense” she adds, “a quick satisfying fcuk would make you feel so much better...how long is it since you got laid...apart from the last time with me I mean?” 

“Too long” the Geordie sighs, “is that all you ever want from life though, a quick fcuk?”

“Or a slow one” Nicola jokes, “there's nothing wrong with fcukbuddies, I'm not gonna declare my undying love for someone everytime I fancy a shag!”

Cheryl winces.

“Oh I'm sorry, I forgot ever-romantic Chezza hates the word shag” the redhead chuckles, “that's your trouble, you're always searching for 'the one', what if 'the one' doesn't exist?”

The Geordie shakes her head,

“She must do, she just doesn't know it yet”

Meanwhile in another part of the house Kimberley peels off her jodhpurs, throwing them in the washing basket before stepping into the large, tiled wet room.  Reaching up to switch on the shower water cascades over her naked, sweat-soaked body, cleansing her as her mind wanders....

The builders seemed nice enough and, although it was hard to trust anyone in her current circumstances, she felt oddly relieved by their presence.  Her and Justin had been living a shared lie for so long that, once the divorce was finalised, it had felt weird to be thrust out into the public eye without her safety net.

Of course she'd had nowhere near the publicity nightmare her ex-husband had.  Rumours regarding his sexuality had begun to surface again mere months after the divorce and, deciding to cut his losses, Justin had dramatically 'come out' but as bi-sexual rather than his true gay self.  His PA apparently thought it'd be better received by the public.  

Better to only be a half-poof than a full one eh?! Kimberley reflects bitterly.

Naturally there'd been many intrusive press questions about her and Justin's sex life which she'd fielded with patience, all the while wanting to scream the truth into their nosey, slimy faces.

The truth that her and Justin's three year had been a total sham.  The truth that they were both two scared celebrity queers clinging to each other for protection against the big, bad homophobia of the outside world.  The truth that she'd got so sick of it she'd needed to get out...out of her marriage....out of the closet.

The first she managed relatively easily but the second was going to take far more courage.

In an attempt to relax the Bradfordian drives her thoughts back to the renovations on her property.  The job was quite daunting but she was pretty sure the four women she'd met earlier were capable of it, especially Cheryl.

She wasn't sure exactly what attracted her to the brunette so much...her eyes...her smile...her body...or maybe it was the quiet confidence she exuded from every pore.  Whatever it was Kimberley liked it and she was damn well determined to find out more....