The usual apology for time. I feel like there's something missing from this part. Enjoy anyways!

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Lyla. Part 12

I awoke sweating and gasping for breath.

“What’s wrong?”

My eyes came into focus and I could see Tom’s confused face leaning over mine. His hand was on my sticky forehead, stroking my hair in a comforting way. I licked my lips, allowing my body to feel alive again.

“Just a bad dream,” I croaked over the hum of the TV. Tom nodded, relieved, and turned back to the afternoon quiz show he was watching. I shifted my weight, which was hard considering I was lying on the sofa, my head resting on Tom’s lap. I turned onto my side so that my face was up against Tom’s stomach and I nestled into him, my arms wrapped around him. I felt him kiss my hair.

Despite my overpowering tiredness I forced my eyes to stay open. No way was I going to allow myself to drift back into the nightmare I had just had. My palms sweat at the thought of it alone.

“Lyla?”

Tom moved so I could sit up next to him on the sofa. The theme tune of the quiz began and the credits came up. It was finishing.

“Yeah.”

“You were murmuring something in your sleep...” ‘Oh no.’ Tom gave me an intense look. “About the baby.”

“Oh, you’re awake!”

Mum was smiling at me from the living room doorway. She had a pair of sandals in one hand and her hand bag in the other.

“I’m going out for a little bit of shopping and was wondering if you wanted to come with me.” She didn’t wait for an answer- she simply ploughed on. “You’ve hardly been out in the last three weeks and I think some fresh air will do you good. Keep you healthy and all that.”

I weighed up my odds. Stay and tell Tom about the horror I dreamt of or go out and endure the staring and whispers; all with the possibility of bumping into someone I knew.

“I think you should go out,” Tom put in, standing and stretching. His T-shirt rode up to reveal his flat stomach. I felt a jab of jealousy. “I might go home and pick up some of my letters and stuff today. Go and see Tina and Anthony. You might as well have a girly afternoon out with your mum.”

I had to stop myself from giving him an evil look. He’d made up my mind for me.

“Well, that’s settled then. Lyla, go get ready, we’ll be leaving in a few minutes.” Mum reached half way up the stairs and stopped to lean over the banister. “Oh, and Thomas, try to talk to your mother today. You can stay here as long as you need but my sofa isn’t the best bed.”

Tom nodded solemnly as my mum’s footsteps died away.

“I guess I’ll see you later then,” I said quietly.

“Sure.”

I picked up my mobile and began out the room.

“Lyla?”

I paused an inch from the door.

“Someone would have to be mental if they dare say a word about you. You look gorgeous.”

So maybe he did know why I avoided the outside world.

“Stupid car!” Mum shouted and banged her fists against the steering wheel. I sat patiently as she turned the key in the ignition for the third time and the old Corsa finally spat to life. “Ah ha!”

As we pulled out of the parking spot I caught the blurry image of Tom emerging from our house. We sped down the road.

I turned the radio on to try and break up the silence. My knees couldn’t seem to stay still.

“I hate this type of young music. Try something else, Lyla. There’s an Elvis CD in the glove compartment.” I opened the compartment and managed to catch a packet of tissues before they fell on the floor.

“It’s a mess in here,” I moaned as I yanked out a few long forgotten CD’s.

“Least of my worries. The car doesn’t start most of the time and you want me to sort out the glove compartment.” Mum turned down the familiar road that ran through our town.

I dismissed the Elvis CD straight away and tried to choose between T.Rex and The Beatles. Going for an upbeat style I slotted T.Rex into the player. ‘Get it on’ rang through the car. Mum hummed along and gently tapped the steering wheel. I smiled slightly. This was mum’s era of music but I loved it too. The familiar throb of the bass and Marc Bolan’s high pitched voice ate away at some of my nerves.

But all I could visualise as we pulled into the supermarket car park, were frowns of disapproval from women and tuts from men as I stepped out of the car.

I stayed close to mum as we walked down the busy high street.

“I need a few bits from Boots and then I’m going into Sainsbury’s. Is there anything you need?” Mum overtook an old lady, leaning heavily on her walking stick and looked at me for a reply.

“No, I’m fine.” We crossed the road, towards Boots, mum’s high heel clicking as we walked. I moved even closer to her and breathed in her aroma. She smelt of the lavender body lotion that she used. Two doors down from Boots was the blue curved sign and small picture of a coffee cup that stood for Easy Beanz.

“Erm…mum, do you mind if I pop in to see a friend?” I pointed to the doors of the café. Mum paused from opening the chemist’s door.

“Sure, just meet me back here when you’re done.”

I said goodbye and turned towards the café.