"Kimberley!"
I looked up at my mum and gave a half-hearted smile. I must of woke her up, it was two in the morning. "Sorry... did I wake you?"
"No, no comin in!" She said, pulling me through the threshold and into a tight embrace.
I giggled at her. Of course I had woken her up. I let out a sigh as I relaxed into her arms, tears threatening my eyes.
"What's wrong?" she asked, stroking up and down my back as we held each other.
"I've been a right *Female Dog*," I mumbled.
She pulled away as she heard my words. "I'm sure that's not true honey," she frowned while reaching over to shut the door.
"It is," I nodded.
Her gaze caused me to look away, ashamed of myself. "Come on," she said, taking hold of my hand. "Let me make you a nice mug of hot chocolate and you can tell me everything."
* * * * *
"Awww... come here," My mum said as I broke down having just told her what I had done. "You were just doing your job baby," she soothed, pulling me closer.
"I hurt her mum. You should of saw her face when she found out," I sighed, sobs racking my body. "I done exactly what I was told not too... I got close to her."
"You have always been the kind of person to see the good in people. If she's as nice as you make out then no wonder you got attached."
There was one small detail I had missed out.
"I get the feeling you haven't told me the whole story?" she said, reading my mind.
What is it they say? A mother always knows.
I took a deep breath before throwing it out there. "We kissed."
"You kissed?"
I nodded, studying her reaction. She seemed deep in thought.
"Well... that makes things a lot more complicated now, doesn't it?" she eventually said with a sad smile. "Do you love her?"
"It takes more than a couple of kisses to make me fall in love," I giggled through my tears.
"So you didn't... you know?" I could see her face burning as she asked.
I shook my head. "No, we didn't have sex if that's what you are asking. Things did get a little out of hand, though. But I stopped it."
"Why?" she frowned, taking hold of both my hands.
Was I hearing correctly? Did my mother just ask my why I didn't have sex with a woman that I had been lying too?
"Because she was getting over the fact that her husband was a cheat. She didn't really want it... she was seeking comfort," I answered.
"Ooh yes, that footballer Ashley Cole?."
I nodded, surprised she actually knew who he was.
"I mean... who would cheat on a beautiful girl like Cheryl?" she said whilst looking a bit disgusted with the thought.
"I know." Looking down to my lap, a fresh set of tears welling up, I sighed. I felt her hand on my cheek, wiping them away.
"How do you know she didn't really want it?" she asked, her voice soothing.
It was a question I couldn't answer. I wasn't a mind reader, but why would Cheryl have wanted me?
"It doesn't matter now anyway becasue she won't even talk to me. I've tried everythin'... phonecalls, texts..."
"Have you tried writing her a letter?" she asked, cutting me off.
"I hadn't thought of that." Relaxing back into the sofa, I snuggled up to her.
"You can always express your feelings in a letter honey," she told me, her fingers running through my hair. "I can help you write it if you want?"
I knew my mum was good with things like that. "That would be good," I agreed.
* * * * *
I read through the letter one final time before tucking it into the envelope and sealing it.
"Here you go..." Mum said, handing me another hot chocolate.
"Do you think this will help?" I asked.
She sighed. "It will take more than a few words on a piece of paper to correct things," she told me honestly. "But..." Placing her hand on my thigh, she squeezed. "I think it will bring you a step closer."
Smiling, I took a sip out of the mug. "I hope so."
"That will be your dad," she said as the buzzer he used sounded.
Before she could get up I stopped her. "Let me get it," I said. "It'll be a nice surprise for him."
Getting up, I walked over to the stairs and climbed up them, heading for my dads room.
