Chapter 20
"Lola, baby, come on." I coo as I try for the third time to get Lola out of Cheryl's arms. "No." She mumbles as she buries her face deeper in the crook of Cheryl's neck. "Come on babe, you need to go with Mummy." Cheryl says gently. "Will I see you soon?" Lola asks quietly. Cheryl looks at me briefly and I nod a 'yes'. "Of course you will. I can't not see my favourite little girl can I?" Cheryl replies. "Will you come to my house and play with me?" Lola asks. Again, Cheryl glances at me and I nod. "Course I will." Cheryl replies as she runs her fingers through Lola's hair. "Promise." Lola whispers. "I promise." Cheryl replies. Lola finally brings her face out of Cheryl's neck and smiles at her. "I need to go with Mummy now." Lola says quietly. Cheryl nods before saying "See you soon Lola." "See you soon Cheryl." As Cheryl hands Lola to me, Lola keeps her arms around Cheryl's neck. "Lola ba-" I stop mid sentence as Lola leans forward and gives Cheryl a quick kiss. She only ever kisses myself and Nicola, so it's safe to say I am momentarily shocked. I regain my composure as Lola wraps her arms around my neck. Cheryl looks at me and opens her arms. I hesitate for a second before stepping towards her and wrapping my spare arm around her. She wraps her arms around me and firmly presses her lips to my cheek. "See you soon Kimba." She whispers in my ear before placing another quick kiss on my cheek.
Cheryl's POV
I wave to Lola as Mark drives off and wait until the car is out of sight to go back inside. The house feels eerily empty without Kimberley and Lola. I find meself sat on the sofa staring through the rubbish daytime television programme that's on - thinking. Since Kimberley and I spoke about her past she's seemed a lot more open and relaxed around us. She seems to find it a lot easier to talk to us and show us the real her - how she's really feeling. Lola seems to like us more every time she sees us. With her being so young I had expected her to be wary of us but it seems quite the opposite has happened. Not that i'm complaining, I love children, Lola being no exception.
I wander round the house for a while, no real aim or destination. As I sit at the breakfast bar I decide I need to do something to occupy meself or i'm going to go crazy. I've spent less than a full weekend with Kimberley and Lola in the house and now I feel totally lost without them. Before I can lose meself in me thoughts anymore I decide to call Nadine, hopefully she'll answer.
"Cheryl, hey." Nadine says happily. "Hey Nads, how're you?" I ask. "I'm good hunny, you?" She replies. "I'm good, really good." I reply with a smile. "Really good? I'm guessing things with a certain lady are going well?" Nadine teases. "You could say that." I reply with a laugh. "Do enlighten me." She says with a mock posh accent. "We're giving it a go." I say quickly. Nadine squeals down the phone. "Cheryl hunny, i'm so happy for you." She says excitedly. "Thanks Nadine. It's early days and we're taking it slow but i'm hopeful." I reply. "Well as long as you're happy." Nadine says. "I am." I say, a smile creeping onto me face. "I'll be hitting the UK in the new year. I hope to be meeting your lady." She says seriously. "Me lady?" I ask with a laugh. "Her names Kimberley. Ya'know for future reference." I add. "Fine." Nadine replies dramatically. "I hope to be meeting Kimberley." She adds. "You will, don't worry about that." I reply. "Good. Look i'm nearly at the studio so stay happy, make sure she treats you like a princess and I will speak to you very soon." Nadine says. "Bye Nads, speak soon." I reply as I reluctantly end the call.
Kimberley's POV
"Mummy." I shake my head as i'm brought out of my latest thought tangent by Lola. "Yeah babe?" I ask her. "When's Cheryl coming to play?" She asks as she continues playing doctors with her teddy on the floor. "I'm not sure, it depends when she's not busy." I reply with a smile. "Will it be soon?" She asks. "Yeah, it'll be soon." I reply. Even though Lola and myself only spent one night at Cheryl's it feels weird being back in my house, with only Lola for company. Not that I mind having Lola for company, I just often miss adult conversation. It was something I was never short of at home, living with my mum and three siblings meant there was always someone about for a chat, even if it was about nothing. It's times like this when I miss the company of family that I have to force myself not to pick up the phone and ring home.
