Page 7 of Falling for Nicole
Nicole
After brushing as much sand out of Bailey’s fur as possible, I’m pleased to find Lilly’s house empty. I down a pint of water before making myself a coffee and heading up to my room. I’m not planning on staying here all that long, so I set about unpacking just a few things—not that I really have a lot. I used the excuse of clearing out our house and moving down here to completely start my life over, so aside from a few clothes and sentimental items, everything was either sold or given to our local cancer charity shop. Part of me was reluctant because I don’t have the kind of money to replace a lot of the furniture, but I couldn’t keep living in the past, surrounded by memories.
Bailey curls up on the end of the bed as I faff around, and once I’m showered and dressed, I make the mistake of lying with him.
* * *
The next thing I know, I’m waking to the sound of water running. Launching myself out of bed, I run towards the en suite and see exactly what I’m expecting to find—the bath full, and about to spill over. It’s not the first time something like this has happened, and I’m sure it won’t be the last, either. I hoped that moving and being with Lilly would put an end to my stress-induced sleep walking, but apparently not.
I turn the tap off as quickly as I can before turning the knob to release the plug, and I stand and watch as the water slowly drains away.
Mum used to tell me stories about my nightly adventures from when I was a child. As I got older, it seemed to get better, but the second she was diagnosed, it started up again. It got so bad that Mum used to hide the house and car keys in fear I would let myself out in the middle of the night.
Walking back into my room, I sit myself on the edge of the bed and rub the sleep from my eyes.
When I get downstairs, I realise I’m still home alone. I make the most of the peace, and after locating Lilly’s wireless speaker, I sync my phone and blast Rihanna around the entire house. Deciding I need to make myself useful, as I’m currently a freeloading lodger, I raid the kitchen for something to make for dinner.
* * *
An hour later, I’m prancing around the kitchen singing my heart out toDon’t Stop the Music,when I feel eyes on me. Turning around, I find an amused looking Lilly with a small person on each hip.
“Shit, sorry.” Panicking, I run over to my phone and immediately turn the volume down.
“Don’t be stupid,” she says, placing each twin into a highchair. “I’ve missed hearing you sing.”
My stomach twists at the memory of easier times. After I moved away, we would spend hours on video chats together. We’d leave each other on the line as we went about our daily life, pretending there weren’t so many miles between us. We did all our GCSE revision together. We’d test each other and push each other forward when we were having a bad time. I always used to sing a lot. I loved it from as early as I can remember, but Lilly was always commenting that my singing soothed her and she’d much prefer listening to me as she worked than putting the radio on.
I always thought my future was music. I lived for it. I had no idea the path my life would take only a few short years later. I still sing, but only when I’m alone and locked away. I stopped performing the first day Mum was too ill to come, and I haven’t felt confident enough to do it without her. She was always my number one fan, my biggest supporter.
I grab my glass off the counter and take a huge gulp, hoping it’ll give me a few seconds to compose myself and clear the tears threatening to fill my eyes.
Thankfully, Lilly’s too busy sorting out dinner for Natalie and Nathan to notice my emotional state.
“There are plenty of pubs around here. You should go out and see if any of them have open mic nights, especially with the summer season approaching.”
“We’ll see,” I mutter, not wanting to get into my reasons for avoiding performing.
I sit myself at their table and watch as Lilly feeds the twins some pureed concoction. I’ve no idea what it is but it doesn’t look appealing—not that it seems to be bothering the twins, or Bailey, who patiently sits between their chairs hoping for some windfalls.
Once they’ve polished off a giant bowl of dinner and a yoghurt each, Lilly leaves them with some kind of wafer thing and turns her attention to me.
“How was your first day? You look better than you did yesterday, so I’m guessing you had a good night’s sleep.”
“I went for a long run on the beach this morning with Bailey,” I say, missing out anything that has to do with bumping into her brother. “Then I pretty much slept all afternoon. That bed is incredible.”
“What are you thinking about doing for work? I was chatting to Lucas this—”
I cut off her words before the inevitable falls from her lips. “No, Lilly. I don’t want an easy ride just because Lucas owns a hotel. I’m already staying here and getting in your way.”
“You’re not getting in our way. You’re welcome to stay as long as you need. Lucas always needs staff, so it’s not like he’s doing anything special for you,” she says, trying to sway me, but I refuse once again. I need to do this alone.
“I’m going to go and explore a bit tomorrow, see what I can find. Some bar work or something will be fine for now, until I get settled and decide what I really want to do.”
“Okay, well the offer’s there if you need it.”
“Thank you, I really do appreciate it.”
Lilly and I have a quiet night chatting and catching up on each other’s lives once the twins go to bed. Lucas phoned not long after they’d eaten to say he was going to be late. I really like him, but I was grateful for a little time with my best friend. I was also grateful she kept our conversation mostly away from the months before I found myself here, focusing on the future. We talked about possible places for me to try for a job, as well as good and bad places for me to live—although when she got her laptop out and starting looking for rentals, I was horrified by the prices. I’d gotten a little used to how much cheaper everything was up north. I might need more than just a bar job if I’m going to afford somewhere half decent.
