Chapter 9
Kimberley's POV
"Well, well, well what time do you call this? Late night?" Nicola teases as soon as she opens the door to me. "Nicola it's only half ten." I laugh as I make my way inside. "Yes it is and your little girl has had me up since seven!" Nicola replies as she dramatically stages a yawn. "I recall you saying that you love spending time with her." I shoot back with a smug smile. "Mummyyyyy!" Lola shouts as she comes running towards me. "Hey baby girl." I coo as I sweep her off of her feet and into my arms. "Living room Walsh. We need to chat." Nicola says with a wink as she pushes me towards the living room. As I sit down Lola squirms out of my arms and bounds over to the collection of toys strewn all across the opposite sofa. "So?" Nicola pushes as I watch Lola pretend to serve tea to numerous teddies and dolls. "So what?" I ask as I drag my eyes away from Lola and look at Nicola. "How did it go?" She replies as she bounces excitedly in her seat. "Fine. We had a meal and watched a film." I reply with a smile. "And?" Nicola pushes. "And what?" I reply, shrugging my shoulders. "You're hiding something from me Kimberley. I can see it in your eyes." I roll my eyes in Nicola's direction before looking back at Lola. "We may have kissed when I left." I mumble with a smile. "Oh my god! Kimberley!" Nicola screeches as she bounces in her seat. "Was it an actual kiss, kiss?" Nicola questions. "An actual kiss, kiss?" I ask with a bewildered look. "Well, let me put it this way. Was it a quick peck or was it a kiss?" I blush slightly as Nicola asks and she obviously notices. "Oh my god Kimberley!" She squeals. "It was an actual kiss wasn't it? Is she good?" I can't help but laugh at Nicola, all wide eyes and cheesy grin. "Yes and yes." I reply as I feel my cheeks burn red. "Ahh my little Kimberley's growing up!" Nicola coos as she pinches my cheek. "Nicola i'm older than you." I laugh as I swat her hand away. "Yes but, i've known you for two years and you've never been on a date before or kissed anyone." Nicola smiles sympathetically. "To my knowledge anyway." She adds with a wink. "I don't kiss and tell." I mumble. "You just did." Nicola replies with a smug smile.
"Mummy." Lola cries from the living room. I quickly wipe the soap suds off of my hands and run through. Lola's crumbled in a heap in front of the tv cabinet. "Lo, what've you done baby girl?" I sit down and pull Lola onto my knee. She instantly curls into a ball in my arms and continues to cry. "Lola, come on babe, what's wrong?" I run my fingers through her hair as she cuddles closer to me. "I hit my head mummy." She whimpers out. "Ohh, come here, let mummy have a look." I coo as I lift her head. I gently move her hair to be greeted by an angry looking red mark that's already starting to turn purple. "Oh Lola." I say sympathetically as I kiss the spot the angry mark occupies. "Don't cry babe." I soothe as I wipe at her eyes with the sleeve of my jumper. "Shall we put some ice on it?" I ask. Lola simply nods and so I carry her through to the kitchen. I quickly grab some ice and wrap it in my tea-towel before sitting Lola on the breakfast bar and gently pressing it to her head. "Better?" I ask her. She nods as she wipes at her eyes with her sleeve. "Who's mummy's brave girl?" I coo. "Me." Lola announces proudly as she wraps her arms around my waist and sighs contently.
Lola's been in bed for a few hours. Thankfully the bruise on her head is only a bruise and doesn't seem to be causing her much pain, surprising considering the size and colour of it. As I sit on the sofa watching the news I find my thoughts wandering to Cheryl. Very quickly I find myself missing her and almost simultaneously I find myself picking up my phone and texting her.
* Hey Cheryl. Was wondering if you're busy tomorrow? Do you want to come over for tea and a DVD? Xx *
I mindlessly flick through the channels, looking for nothing in particular. All i'm really doing is killing time until Cheryl answers my text. I've found myself quickly enjoying her company and wanting to spend more time with her. I had expected that I would have quickly shut her out and distanced myself from her like I have every other person in London, apart from Nicola. But, I can't bring myself to shut her out because I feel like she really cares and she makes me feel wanted, like I have a purpose. Just as my thoughts begin to ponder over how Cheryl feels and what she thinks of me my phone vibrates beside me.
