Chapter 1
Part 1 – Cheryl
My phone buzzed shortly afterwards. Three almost identical texts from three of my best friends - all revolving around a "what the hell was that all about?" theme.
I was thinking the exact same thing so I didn't really see the point in replying. I got up and turned the radio off and got back to getting ready as Derek was taking me out that night.
I sat in front of the mirror doing my hair and make up but my thoughts were very much elsewhere. How could I not have known that Nadine got in engaged last week or how could Nadine have been unsure of whether or not I'd had malaria? I had a vague memory of a text from Nadine, but being very ill at the time, forgot to reply when I felt better, why didn't Nadine just send another one?
The minutes passed and soon Derek was standing at the bedroom door.
"Are you ready to go now?" He said smiling.
"Yep, definitely," I replied, quickly forcing a smile on face, something I'd become very accustomed to lately. "Somewhere low-key though, babe?"
"Oh, what's been said about us now in the papers?" Derek smiled, putting his arms round my waist as he did so.
"Not us - Nadine, she's just been on the radio..." I said, probably sounding a little worried.
"Oh Nadine? Didn't call her a cold hearted *Female Dog* who you never want to have anything to do with again the other week?" He replied with a wry smile as I winced a little.
"Well, that may have been an exaggeration. Perhaps I'm the cold hearted *Female Dog*?" I pondered.
"What are you talking about Cheryl? Are you feeling okay?" Derek said looking concerned.
"Y'know what it doesn't matter, it can wait until tomorrow," I smiled as he looked relieved.
"Well the driver's waiting, babe, so whenever you're ready," He nodded leaving in the room to do one last mirror check before we left.
I took my phone out and sent a text to my three best friends in reply to their own:
"That was really weird. Come to mine tomorrow for 12pm. Don't be late! There's a lot to talk about. xxx"
I sent the text, looked in the mirror and headed out the house to join Derek in the waiting car. I just wanted today to be over so I could start fixing this mess.
Part 2 – Nadine
Sometimes I just don't think before I speak, it's a habit I've never managed to grow out of. And sometimes being completely honest with everyone is not always the best idea.
That interview was going so well, it was a nice simple way to announce the engagement. But I should have known that questions about Girls Aloud would have been raised. I wish I could give everyone a straight answer, but I know as much as anyone else.
I thought just maybe I'd get a text or phone call from one of them, or someone from management, but nothing. Now should be the happiest time of my life, I've just engaged, I should be over the moon - but I'm not. And I'm meant to be going out to dinner tonight to celebrate.
"So where are we going then?" Jason asked smiling.
"Mm, I don't mind, what are the options?" I said, trying to sound enthusiastic.
"Anywhere you want, baby," He offered. Jason was so nice, but I really wasn't feeling this engagement thing right now.
"Okay, somewhere quiet, I've got a feeling I'm going to be a bit misquoted in the papers tomorrow," I sighed as he came and put a sympathetic arm round me.
"You were only being honest sweetheart, you didn't say anything bitchy or that was untrue," He said softly.
"I know, I'm just not sure if it was the right thing to say, we're not really meant to comment about Cheryl in the press..." I said remembering some unwritten rule I didn't know about until I broke it one time.
“The band don’t own you Nadine, they can’t control you, you’ve never said anything bad. He asked if she texted you back and she didn’t so you said no,” He said shrugging his shoulders.
“I know, Jase, I just don’t want her to think I was trying to play the victim or anything...” I muttered.
“I’m sure it wouldn’t have come across that way. Just stop worrying about them! You need to focus on you, this is your moment in the spotlight, don’t let them take that away from you,” He said reassuringly and it worked because I did start to feel better.
“You’re right, of course you are, you’re always right. They probably weren’t listening anyway,” I sighed, picking up my bag and coat and making a conscious decision to try and stop caring about the band and the rumours, for the time being at least.
