One // Leigh-Anne Pinnock

Chapter Twenty-Two

"C'mon pumpkin." Leigh pleaded to the crying infant. "There are other people on this bus. You can't be doing this here."

36 hours earlier

"Leigh are you sure you're ready to tour? Not that I don't love Chloe but touring is as stressful enough as it is. Adding a baby will make it ten times harder. You'll drive yourself insane." Jade stated in concern. She sat on Leigh's bed watching her in amusement as she bustled around the room murmuring to herself.

"Not like I have much of a choice, do I." She mumbled under her breath.

She was currently packing her and Chloe-Marie's suitcases. Jade being the perfectionist that she is, packed weeks before tour was supposed to begin.

"I'll be fine. Don't worry about me."

...

The first day of tour came faster than the blink of an eye and Leigh was already off on the wrong foot.

Chloe-Marie's nightly rendition of screams and cries kept her up all night. As a result, slept through all of her alarms and was therefore late. She had less than a half hour to get ready and be at the bus station. She thanked the heavens that she had prepared everything before she went to bed, just in case something like this were to happen.

She showered and dressed at lightning speed then went to get the sleeping baby. Leigh wasn't about to wake Chloe-Marie up. After the long night they both had, a cranky baby wasn't something she needed at that point in time...or at all.

All of her luggage were at the front door. She packed a lot lighter than she usually would considering she had extra stuff to carry along. Instead of the usual four suitcases she had two, in addition to the stroller, baby bag and car seat.

She checked the time on her phone. 5:30 am. Just then, a car horn sounded outside.

'Right on time.' She thought. She sighed in relief.

She quickly made one last check to make sure all the doors and windows were locked. She went back to the front and opened the door. She put the car seat on the front step and her hand bag and baby bag next to it.

She managed to haul the first suitcase  halfway down the steps before the taxi driver came to help her.

"Thank you sir."

"It's no problem ma'am. I'll get the other one you just get your baby and purse." He said, offering a smile. Leigh returned it and jogged back up the steps.

Leigh retrieved her baby and other belongings and got settled in the backseat of the car. She quickly rumaged through her bag, making complete sure that she had everything she needed. She then texted Jade to let her know she was on her way. By this time the driver got in the car. Leigh told him her destination and he drove off.

...

Luckily for Leigh, she wasn't the last to arrive. She paid the driver, giving him a little extra for helping with her luggage. He refused to take it claiming he was just being a gentleman but Leigh insisted. Claud was leaned up against the wall outside the station on his phone. He noticed her arrival and went over to her.

"Hey Claud." She said hugging him.

"Hey Leigh-Leigh. We're just waiting on Pezza and two of the other dancers. Need a little help?"

"Yes please. Just grab the suitcases, I can handle the rest."

"Okie dokie."

Leigh opened up the stroller and set the car seat in it. She slug her handbag and baby bag over each of her shoulders and walked alongside her friend. They quickly caught up with each other as they walked.