Cheryl hurried up the garden path, dragging her case behind her as her dad Garry stood grinning widely, dying to see his daughter for the first time since Christmas. “How’s me old pops?” Cheryl called over jokingly, making him chuckle.
“Ahh much better now sweetheart...come and give me a hug before we go home...I’m so happy you’re staying over as well, our Gary told me!” he smiled, opening his arms out and wrapping them tightly around her as she cuddled into him.
“Missed you!” she mumbled as he squeezed her tight, not wanting to let go.
“Arghh missed you more Cheryl, honestly...the place is too quiet without ya!” he sniggered as Cheryl playfully hit him on the back before standing upright again. “Right, come on...Our Joanne is bursting to see ya!” he continued, lifting her case up to put in the car as she ran around to the passenger door to get in.
As soon as they pulled up outside her dad’s house, the front door burst open revealing Garry’s wife Joanne screaming whilst bouncing up and down as Cheryl waved from the car. “Get your little bum in this house right now ya beauty!” she shouted over at her step daughter who was laughing uncontrollably as she ran over to her while Garry trailed behind with her case, chuckling away. As soon as Cheryl reached the door, she was pulled into a massive hug and kissed repeatedly all over her face, making her giggle even more.
“Gerroff ya nutter!!!” Cheryl screamed as she was pulled into the house.
“Right Garry, lock the door, she’s never leaving!!!” Joanne shouted, dragging Cheryl into the lounge as her dad laughed his head off at them.
“Let her breathe Jo!” Garry chuckled as he followed them, watching his wife still hugging Cheryl who had actual tears in her eyes from laughing so much.
“Haha...I’m guessing yav missed is then?!” she eventually managed to say as Jo finally released her, still giggling.
“Oh we really have pet, honestly...ya keep leaving me with this grumpy sod!” she replied as Garry playfully shoved her.
“Aww I’m sorry Jo! Just give him a beer and he cheers up, it’s like magic!” Cheryl winked as her dad began nodding his head, sitting on the sofa next to her.
“Aye but we’ll need to have a never ending supply of beer to keep him going!” Jo laughed. “Can I get ya a cuppa love?...2 sugars still yeah?” she asked, cheerfully.
“Oooo yes please, I’d love one ta!...and yeah, 2 sugars!” Cheryl answered as she snuggled into her dad who'd put his arm around her shoulders.
“Missed you petal!...5 months is far too long Cheryl, they need to give you more time off, it’s not fair on any of us!” he moaned, kissing the top of her head as she wrapped her arms around his rather round belly.
“I know dad...I can’t really help it though! Making the album, doing promotion for it, rehearsals...it all takes up time, I just can’t be in two places at once” she mumbled back.
“Aye well, I still think they should let you come back more...you’re my little girl, I never see ya...I worry about ya when you're not here!” he complained quietly.
“Aww...ya big softie!” she smiled, tickling him as he chuckled whilst hugging her in again. “...Did ya like me album?”
“It was brilliant love...had to ignore some of your naughty lyrics...!” he raised his eyebrow as Cheryl pouted innocently, “...but no, I loved it, especially the slower songs, you sound beautiful on them!”
“Haha...aww thanks pops...what about you Jo, did you like the album?” she asked as Joanne wandered back into the lounge, handing her a cup of tea.
