Chapter Twenty Five
Angels Watching Over Me

Angels watching over me with smiles upon their face
Coz I have made it through this far in an unforgiving place

It feels sometimes this is too steep for a girl like me to climb
But I must knock those guards right down I do it in my own time

I don't care (care care)
'm half way there (nowhere)
On a road that leads me to straight to who knows where
~Upside Down, Paloma Faith

"Well done, Niamh," Helena congratulated me when the rehearsal was over. "You were very good."

"Even after I messed up during my song?" I said with a sheepish grin.

"You were distracted. It happens."

I looked at Tim, who was berating David for one reason or another. I rolled my eyes.

"Not in Tim's world, it doesn't."

Helena laughed, shaking her head. "My husband is incredibly stubborn," she said fondly. "But he gets the job done, doesn't he?"

I nodded. "Definately. Our productions wouldn't be as half as good if we didn't have Tim as a director."

"Don't let him hear you say that though. He'll get a big head."

"As if his head could get any bigger."

"Are my ears burning?" Tim asked, joining us.

"Most definately," Helena said, kissing his cheek and grinning at him.

"We were just talking about your massive head," I told him.

Tim gave me a stern look. "I suggest that you compliment me immediately before I kick you out of the production."

I flung my arms around his neck and pressed a massive kiss on his cheek.

"You are a magnificent director and our productions are amaazing all because of you!" I cried, hugging him.

"Get off," he grumbled, batting me away. I couldn't help but notice the small smile on his face.

"I love you, Tim," I cooed as he walked away.

"Bugger off, Niamh," he called over his shoulder. Helena and I laughed hysterically.

"You know, he's kinda like a grumpy uncle," I noted, grinning.

"He loves you, Niamh," Helena told me. "And so do I."

"Aw, Helena." I rested my head on her shoulder. She laughed.

"You're like the daughter we never had."

Laughing, I straightened up. "You can be my second set of parents."

"Tim will love that."

"Should I tell him?"

Helena grinned. "Go on."

"Tim!"

Tim ducked into the men's toilets before I could catch him. Laughing, I accepted defeat and picked my bag up, ready to get changed in the toilets.

"Niamh, can I 'ave a word with you?" Nellie asked as I crossed the studio.

"Sure, if you don't mind watching me strip."

"I'm sure I can 'andle it."

Nellie followed me into the girl's toilets, where I proceeded to take my costume off and replace it with my own clothes.

"So, what's up?" I asked, pulling my jeans on.

"You was complaining earlier about living with your mum," she said.

"Yeah?" I pulled my t-shirt on.

"Well, I 'ave two spare bedrooms and it gets pretty lonely being in my 'ouse on my own . . . " Nellie's voice trailed off as she looked away. Tying my hair back, I frowned.

"Are you asking what I think you're asking?"

"Only if you want to," she said, shrugging. "You and Robyn are more than welcome, even if it is for a short time."

"Do you mean it?" I asked eagerly. "Like, do you really reallymean it?"

Nellie nodded. "What do you think?"

"Oh my God, Nellie, that's totally awesome!" I squealed, throwing my arms around her. "I'll pay rent and everything, I swear, and it's just until I get my own place, right?"

"You can stay as long as you want," she told me, grinning. "I can't promise it'll be great the whole time, but we can give it a go."

I moved in with Nellie the next week.

"I can't believe you're moving in with her," Theo said as I drove. He was helping me with my bags and Robyn.

"Why?"

"Because you hate her."

"Not anymore." I grinned. "Was it Lemony Snicket who pointed out that first impressions were often entirely wrong?"

"I'm sure he got that from someone else. It is common knowledge."

I stuck my tongue out at him. "All I'm saying is that Nellie has been a real help these past couple of days. She was with me in hospital and, well, I guess we've gotten kinda close."

"You must be if she's asking you to move in with her." Theo frowned. "Maybe it's a trick."

"What do you mean?"

"You know, keep your friends close and your enemies closer."

I rolled my eyes. "I don't think Nellie is like that." I turned a corner. "Not anymore, at least."

"So what is it that you like about her so much all of a sudden?"

"She's actually quite a nice woman, she's funny, she's great with Robyn," I listed.

"Is she a good cook?"

"Why?"

"Because someone out of the two of you will need to be or you'll be living off takeaways for the rest of your life."

I thought about Nellie's pies and grimaced.

"She's certainly a creative cook," I finally said.

"I don't like the sound of that."

I pulled up outside Nellie's house and cut the engine. She opened the front door just as I climbed out of the car.

"'ello, love!" she called, walking down the path.

"Hiya!" I beamed and took Robyn out, balancing her on my hip.

"Do you need a 'and with your bags?" Nellie asked as I walked around the car, opening the boot. Theo climbed out of the car as well.

"Perfect," he said. "You two carry the bags while I take Robyn and - "

"Thank you, Theo, for offering your services like the perfect gentleman that you are," I interupted, picking up a bag. "Here you go. Nellie will show you where to put them."

Theo glared at me. Nellie smirked.

"Upstairs, second door on the left," she told him. "Do you want to put Robyn in the living room?"

"She might tear it apart."

"I stocked up on kid's DVDs. I got them real cheap for a second 'and store."

I grinned. If there as one thing that could keep Robyn's attention, it was a DVD.

"Let's do that."

We put Robyn in the living room and she sat in front of the TV, immediately captivated by the DVD. I laughed, kissing the top of her head, before joining Nellie and Theo in unloading my bags.

It thankfully didn't take long for us to unload the bags, and soon Theo had gone home while I unpacked my clothes. Nellie and Robyn were downstairs.

I took out one of my shirts, holding it up, and realised that it was actually one of Sweeney's. I must've somehow packed it when I left home and not realised it was in my bag.

I held the shirt to my face, sniffing it. It still smelt like Sweeney.

Sitting on the bed, I took my shirt off and replaced it with Sweeney's. It was a little bit sad, yes, but it made me feel as if I was still in Sweeney's arms.

"You alright, love?"

I looked up at Nellie and plastered a smile on my face.

"Yeah," I said. "I'm fine."

She smiled back. "Robyn's asking for 'er mummy."

"More like demanding." I stood up. "I'll be down in a second."

"Alright, love."

Still smiling, Nellie left. I sat back down on the bed, wrapping my arms around myself.

I was halfway to sorting my life out.

And that was enough for now.

Not my best chapter but I've been having a bit of writer's block regarding Niamh's story . . .

Thank you babyvfan, Comfortably Plump, CadyD and xXFivexMinutesxToxMidnightXx for reviewing!