Sarah's POV
It's been a week since Kimberley left and Cheryl hasn't left the house. She drove off that evening and came back the next morning and hadn't left the house since. Joan and I had been looking after Imogen between us. Cheryl is an absolute mess. If she's not crying, she's drinking, if she's not drinking, she's sleeping and if she's not sleeping, she's just staring aimlessly into space not having a clue about what's going on around her. It's getting ridiculous. I'm praying she will snap out of it soon. Imogen is confused to why Kimberley suddenly left and now why she isn't staying with her mum. Cheryl is in no fit state at the moment to look after her. Joan had been around a few times to check on her and try talking some sense into her. So far, nothing had worked. She was in absolute bits. I couldn't understand why Kimberley leaving got to her so much and upset her on this level. Mason had been away with work so he hadn't seen her but he was due back today so no doubt he would be coming round to see her. He'll be shocked at what he finds. I had to tell Joan everything, she was so confused. She didn't take it badly, thankfully.
"How are you babe?" I ask Cheryl as I walk into her flat with some shopping bags. "Babe?"
"What" she replies bluntly. She's lay on the sofa, staring blankly at the TV which isn't even switched on. I begin putting the shopping away and call back to her.
"I said how are you?"
"Fine"
"Now the truth?" I say, walking back into the living room.
"Leave me alone"
"Cheryl I've had enough of this. Whatever this is, it's not going to get you anywhere. Get up"
"No"
"Cheryl"
"Leave me alone"
"Not in the state, get up"
"Why, what's the point. Everybody leaves me"
"The point is that you've got a confused daughter at your mums how's who is currently being shipped back and forth between myself and Joan. The point is that if you stay like this, you're going to make it worse. The point is that drinking yourself into oblivious every other night isn't going to make the situation better. The point is that ignoring all of Kimberley's calls and texts is going to push her further away, the point is that--"
"Okay okay I get it, whatever" she says, pulling out a cigarette from the packet. I immediately take it off and and pull her off the sofa.
"Get up, go upstairs, shower and freshen up and then come back down. If you don't I will personally put you in that shower myself and you know full well that I will so go on" I say pointing to the stairs. She huffs like a spoilt child and goes upstairs whilst I finish putting the shopping away and tidying up the mess of the living room, collecting the various wine bottles that are scattered around the room, I open a window letting some fresh air in and open the curtains, allowing lights to flow through, instantly making the darkened room brighter.
* * *
Sarah's POV
I've just finished my huge gig that I had in London when I recognised familiar face in the crowd. I thank everyone and hand over to the next DJ before sprinting off stage and through the crowd.
"Kimberley!"
"Hey"
"You made it" I beamed, pulling her into a hug. I had hoped Cheryl would have come down to watch and support me but she's still in the same state she was three weeks ago when Kimberley left. It's getting ridiculous.
