Chim - Double Walker

Chapter 11

Chapter 11

We have just arrived at the hotel, stopping outside my room while I root in my bag for the key.

‘You can never get the key out on the way up can you?’ Kimberley sighs, leaning against the wall, exaggerating how long it has taken.

‘It’s not my fault we can’t all be as organised as you. I couldn’t even picture you to have baby brain’ I splutter, impatiently pulling a few items out of my bag, hoping I will be able to spot the key card, ‘Where are the bloody- Aha!’

I lift the key out of my bag, holding it up in pride, like an infant who has just lost their first tooth.

‘Well done’ she says dryly, ‘I am so proud of you’

‘Oh piss off’ I pout, slotting the key card into the door and pushing the door open.

‘You know I’m joking’ she smiles as she follows me in, the smile disappearing, being replaced by a disgusted look, ‘Jesus Christ, what did you blow up?’

I turn around confused, looking into the room. I hadn’t even realised it had got to this state.

‘I guess it is a little messy’ I admit, stifling a giggle.

‘A little?’ Kimberley clarifies, clearly surprised at my definition of little, ‘How can you be sure no one’s broken in?’

She giggles, shaking her head as she looks around.

Bed sheets screwed up at the end of the bed from where I have kicked them off me. Dirty towels hung on the bathroom door. Clothes flung haphazardly on the bed, table, chair and floor; there are probably more clothes on the bathroom floor.

As I think this, Kimberley walks into the bathroom, clearly reading my mind.

‘Oh my god!’ I hear from the en suite and I am again trying to hide a giggle.

She comes back out with an appalled expression.

‘Toothpaste all over the sink, underwear on the floor, no lid on the mouthwash’ she exclaims as she comes back out.

I hang my head in shame, but I can’t hide the smile, which turns into a knowing smirk.

‘What do you have to say for yourself?’ she asks expectantly.

‘erm... You’re gunna be an amazing mam, Kimba’

‘Oh no, you’ve used that card’ she chuckles, seeing through my distraction.

I decide to tell her the truth.

‘I’ve been miserable okay?’ I shrug, my shoulders dropping a little and my small smile slowly fades.

I feel too embarrassed to look at her, but I risk a glance and see she is looking back at me with a pouting frown, showing evident concern as to why I was miserable. I realise she has me when our eyes lock; I can’t avoid her eyes now as I explain. I can already feel heat rising in my cheeks.

‘I thought I had lost you and the baby and that our marriage and relationship was completely over. I felt sick with guilt every day, but I didn’t know why because I still didn’t know what to believe about you being pregnant with a baby you were going to raise with me or with some random bloke whose baby it actually is and you apparently love. I didn’t have any motivation to move, you’re lucky I've even been showering. I didn’t have an appetite-’

‘You have been eating right?’ she asks, suddenly alarmed as she looks at my body for any weight loss.

‘Yeah I’ve been eating’ I smile, how can she still be so caring? ‘But only small meals or snacks.’