Chim - Your Sound

Chapter 42

Chapter 42

Kimberley’s POV

It was mid-summer when our plane touched home-soil. The airport was crowded with people setting off to a holiday location. 

I remember how I wondered silently where they were bound to go, some of them with little children, other’s even brought their pets. 

Cheryl and I only brought a few suitcases, enough to live out for a couple of weeks. 

We were travellers now, only staying in London for a week before heading out through Europe for various gigs. Ibiza our final destination where we and our friends would relax for a while, enjoy each other’s company before our busy lives would continue. It felt surreal at times, and even though Cheryl’s career had picked up after the L.A. gig, resulting in various jobs to come, I wasn’t quite used to the idea of being on the move all the time. And also, I hadn’t quite figured out where my place would be in all this.

Cheryl said it didn’t matter, that she could provide for our every need with her rapidly growing salary. But I was never one to be reliant on anything, and she knew that. 

We would wait and see, and grab the opportunity when it would come along. It’s what we agreed on, but I’m sure it wouldn’t sound that well when facing my parents. The thought alone of telling them how I had no job whatsoever sickened me. And worst thing is…I was about to break it to them.

‘You know…’ Cheryl started, nervously chewing her gum. ‘Maybe it won’t be so bad.’

Easing my grip on the steering wheel I turned to her with a frown. But no words were necessary as I could tell she didn’t believe it either. It would be bad, I just knew it. 

Eyeing up the enormous villa in front of me I think back to all those years I spend here growing up as a child. The happy moments and the bad. 

But no matter which random moment I remember, there was always a standard to uphold. A goal to achieve. Even as a young child my parents wanted us to be the very best. It was a suffocating thought, even more so now.

I sigh, slowly but surely coming to terms with what I’m up against.

‘It won’t get any easier sitting here.’

Cheryl shrugs, not knowing how to handle this situation neither. She’s nervous too, I can tell by the rapid pace in which she chews. I’m thankful that she offered to come along, and even though we hardly spoke during our drive up here, her silent support did me good. 

‘Here goes…’

My stomach turns when I turn the keys, slowly driving up to the gate where my presence will be revealed as soon as I press that little button.

This time it isn’t the maid who opens the door, something that rarely happens. 

Instead a big figure appears through even bigger doors. Just by the ring on his hand I could tell it’s my father, his eyes stern when they fall on me. His voice low.

‘Kimberley.’

Then he notices Cheryl, who is standing one step behind me. 

‘Miss Tweedy.’

There’s an awkward moment between us, the long lost daughter has returned to apologize for a life gone differently. It’s a shame, and it goes against my every thought to do this. 

But after Gary reminded me that life has its expiration date for all, I promised myself to set things right. To at least try.

‘Please…come in.’ He opens the doors further so that we can enter the main hall. It’s spot on, the marble floor shining as always.