Chim - Keep Holding On

Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Kimberley opened the door the next day to see a huge dimpled grin spread across Cheryl’s face. She felt herself mirror the grin before Cheryl flung her arms around Kimberley’s neck. It really did feel good to see Cheryl again, she’d missed her a lot over the last few weeks.

“It’s good to have you back,” Kimberley laughed into Cheryl’s hair. “You obviously just can’t resist me!”

Cheryl blushed and pulled away, still with a grin on her face. “Well you are incredibly irresistible!” She winked back.

They had a quick catch up over a cup of tea before going into the studio. Kimberley asked what Cheryl had been up to since she last saw her, so Cheryl filled her in on her manic work schedule. After this there was a brief pause, which Cheryl took advantage of.

“How are things with Justin?” Cheryl looked at her mug of tea as she asked the question. When she didn’t hear a response she looked up to see a troubled expression on Kimberley’s face. “Kimberley?”

Kimberley shook her head and shrugged her shoulders. “Not great to be honest. He’s eased off on the drinking, but I just don’t know what we have in common anymore, and we don’t really talk to each other these days, and when we do we shout. We’re just set in a boring routine.”

“Was he the reason why you sounded upset on the phone yesterday?” Cheryl asked as she put her hand over Kimberley’s.

“You called literally in the middle of some stupid argument,” Kimberley nodded.

“Do you really think it’s still worth it?” Cheryl spoke quietly, not wanting to sound rude. Kimberley again shrugged her shoulders and took her hand away from Cheryl’s.

“I don’t know. But I don’t want to spend more time thinking about it. How about we get on with writing?” She stood up and placed their empty cups of tea in the sink. Cheryl hated the fact Kimberley wouldn’t just open up to her properly, but she didn’t think she should push the issue.

Once they got into the studio Kimberley livened up a lot more, getting very into starting from scratch again. Cheryl couldn’t really concentrate on the song, she just watched Kimberley getting excited when she had ideas, and spent most of the time just feeling relieved to be so close to her again.

**************

When Cheryl arrived the next morning Kimberley opened the door and stood behind it waiting for Cheryl to come inside. As Cheryl stepped into the hallway she was surprised she hadn’t even received a smile from Kimberley. She heard the door close behind her and was plunged into darkness.

“Cheryl, do you mind if we re-schedule today’s session?” Kimberley asked. “I tried calling you, but your phone must have died.”

Cheryl was confused by this, and it frustrated her that she could barely even see Kimberley at that moment.

“Kim, why the hell is it so dark? I can’t even see you properly,” Cheryl said as she searched for a light switch.

“No, Cheryl, plea –”

But Cheryl’s fingers had already flicked the switch and she gasped when she saw what Kimberley obviously hadn’t wanted her to see.

“Oh my god,” Cheryl breathed. She walked over to Kimberley and pushed her blonde hair out of her face, fully revealing the dark purple bruise that covered her cheek bone.

“It’s not what you think,” Kimberley quickly said while staring at the floor.

“What the fcuk happened?” Cheryl fervently questioned. Before Kimberley could speak, Cheryl asked another question. “Did he do this?” Her voice getting much louder as her temper rose. Kimberley quickly turned her head towards the stairs, worried that Justin might have heard. She pulled Cheryl into the studio and closed the door.

“We got into a fight last night–” Kimberley started but was cut off.

“Oh my god, he did, didn’t he?” Cheryl marched towards the door, desperate to get to Justin.

“NO! Cheryl, just listen would you?” Kimberley grabbed her arm and forced her onto the sofa. She then sat down next to her and proceeded to tell her what had happened. “We got into a fight last night, just like normal. I don’t even remember how it started. But then he got really angry and threw the television remote at the wall. It rebounded and hit me. I promise you that’s what happened.” Kimberley looked sincerely into Cheryl’s eyes. “Justin was distraught about the whole thing, he couldn’t stop apologising, he was in tears over it.”

Cheryl looked deeply into Kimberley’s eyes and realised she was telling the truth. She nodded and took both of Kimberley’s hands into her own.

“I believe you, but even so, this isn’t what should be happening.” She said softly.

“I know,” Kimberley nodded. “I’ve known for a while now that the relationship is over, and tonight I’m going to end it properly.”

Cheryl felt relief wash over her as she heard Kimberley’s words. She couldn’t stand the thought of Kimberley getting hurt again; it actually made her feel sick. She pulled Kimberley into a tight hug.

“You’re doing the right thing,” She soothed. They stayed in the embrace for a long time before Kimberley slowly pulled away and wiped her eyes.

“Do you mind if we do re-schedule today’s session though?”

“Of course not babe,” Cheryl said. “How about I make us a cuppa and we can relax for the rest of the day?”

Kimberley smiled. “Are you sure you don’t have other stuff you should be doing?”

“Positive,” Cheryl smiled back and walked into the kitchen to put the kettle on. She had no intention of leaving any time soon.

************

Cheryl got home that evening with mixed emotions. She was upset for Kimberley – she knew how hard it was to end a serious relationship, especially when it was someone you still care about. But she couldn’t help but have a good feeling about it; she knew it was the best thing for Kimberley. And maybe now Kimberley would start to see Cheryl differently. Cheryl knew she was being selfish when she started thinking that way, but she couldn’t help but hope. She picked up her phone to see if Kimberley had texted her saying how it went, but there was no message. Kimberley had been getting into a bit of a state about how she was going to go about breaking up with Justin so Cheryl decided to check in and see how she was.

Kim, I’m worried about you, how did it all go?

We can postpone tomorrow’s studio time if you want.

Xx

Cheryl’s phoned beeped soon after, and she scooped it up to read the reply.

Hey Cheryl, I’m fine.

Don’t need to cancel tomorrow.

I’ll talk to you then x

Cheryl was relieved everything had gone ok, and Kimberley seemed to sound alright.

She went to sleep feeling happy as well as a little apprehensive about the next day.