Chim- Can she fix it? YES SHE CAN

Chapter 13

“It‘s Nic…we’d started work…she was going for her hard hat and this…this piece of scaffolding just fell…I don’t know how…it hit her on the head…oh God Chez…it knocked her out!”

Seeing the distress in both women‘s eyes Kimberley immediately takes control of the situation, ushering the shocked Geordie towards the door.  

“You go to her, I’ll call an ambulance” 

Grabbing the phone off the wall she dials 999 as Cheryl and Sarah dash back outside.

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“She’s still out cold!” Nadine exclaims apprehensively, “have you called an ambulance?”

“Kimberley’s doing it” Cheryl replies, dropping to her knees at the side of the unconscious redhead, “Nic, it’s Cheryl. Can you hear me pet?”

Getting no response the Geordie gently runs her hand over her friend’s head, wincing at the deep gash and outpouring of blood caused by the heavy metal piping.

“Nic please…please be ok” she whispers, gulping as a lump forms in her throat, tears stinging her eyes.

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“I should’ve been there” Cheryl states, wiping away tears with one hand, her other hand firmly gripping Nicola’s.  

It was a few hours later and the redhead still hadn’t come round.  The Geordie had gone with her in the ambulance and not left the side of her hospital bed since she’d been admitted to a private room.

“It was a freak accident, there was nothing anybody could’ve done” Kimberley soothes, stroking the Geordie’s back, “I know they’ve got to do all the brain scans and that but at least we know she’s not in any immediate danger”

“No immediate danger? She could be a fcuking vegetable for the rest of her life you stupid b!tch!” Cheryl shouts, tears pouring down her face.

“I’m sorry” Kimberley mumbles, quickly withdrawing her hand and rushing out of the room, nearly banging into Sarah and Nadine as they return.

“What’s up with her?” Sarah asks the distraught Geordie, “Chez, what did you do?”

“I…I called her a stupid b!tch…she was trying to be nice and I called her a stupid b!tch…I‘ve fcuked things up so badly” the brunette sobs.

“Oh babe” Nadine sighs, taking her into a big hug, “its been a traumatic day for all of us, talk to her, I’m sure she’ll understand”

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Standing in front of the mirror in the hospital toilets Kimberley dabs at her eyes and blows her nose loudly.  

Cheryl’s angry response had taken her totally by surprise although she reflected that she shouldn’t really have been that shocked.  The Geordie obviously had very strong feelings for the younger girl and her reaction to the accident was completely normal and understandable.  Now Kimberley felt both embarrassed and ashamed that she’d left her in her hour of need.  

The blonde jumps a little as the door suddenly swings open and Cheryl enters.  Her body limp and her eyes bloodshot with crying the brunette seems a lot smaller and more fragile than Kimberley had previously thought.

“I’m so, so sorry” Cheryl gulps, “please forgive me, I didn‘t mean it, me emotions are all over the place”

“It’s ok, I overreacted, I should never have run out on you” Kimberley sighs taking the Geordie in her arms for the first time.

“Its just that she means so much to me, she’s been there me whole life near enough” Cheryl continues, burying her head in the warmth of Kimberley’s shoulder.

“Then you should be with her, for when she wakes up” Kimberley whispers, giving the younger woman one last squeeze before letting her go.

“Yeah, I should” Cheryl manages a slight smile, “oh and Kimberley…”

“What?”

“You give the best hugs”

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“So, as I say, all the scans have come back positive, her brain functions are exactly as we’d expect them to be” 

“What does that mean though?” Cheryl questions the smiling bespectacled doctor, “why isn’t she awake yet?”

“Her body’s had a nasty shock and she’s been very lucky” the young man replies, neatly sidestepping the question, “just keep doing what you’re doing and I’m sure she’ll be back with us soon”

“Well that fills you to the brim with confidence” Sarah mutters sarcastically once the man has walked off, “I don’t know about him being a doctor, he looked about thirteen to me!”

“I’m sure he knows what he’s doing” Nadine adds, “you can be so cynical sometimes, now are you coming for a fag or what?”

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“So what’s your history?” Kimberley starts once Sarah and Nadine have disappeared outside for a smoke.

“Eh…what do you mean?” Cheryl looks at the Bradfordian with confusion.

“You and Nicola, what’s your history?” Kimberley repeats, “listen you can tell me to p!ss off if I’m being too personal, I just wondered why you’re so close”

“Oh I see, it‘s fine” Cheryl smiles back at the older woman before continuing, “Nicola’s parents and me mam were friends, we were both brought up on the same council estate.  Then, when I was twelve and she was ten, her mam and dad were killed in a car crash, there were no other close relatives so she came to live with us”

“Right little orphan Annie aren’t you?” the Geordie jokes affectionately, stroking the redhead’s hand.

“So she’s almost like a sister to you?” Kimberley asks tentatively, trying without much luck to push the image of the two women passionately fcuking to the back of her mind.

“No, it’s not like that at all” Cheryl asserts, “she’s me best friend but I’m her guardian at the same time”

“It’s complicated” she admits, “we’d always been…erm…close”

“I’ve got a confession to make but it’s a bit embarrassing” Kimberley states nervously, taking a deep breath before continuing, “I saw you both, up on the scaffolding last night, I heard you say my name…”