Cheryl: “I need Liam by my side”
After Liam Payne narrowly avoids gunfire while at a club in Los Angeles, vulnerable Cheryl can’t help worrying about him
Their transatlantic romance has dominated the headlines since they got together a year ago – with Liam Payne committed to working on his debut album in LA, while Cheryl is rumoured to be close to giving birth in the UK.
And shockingly, Liam hit the headlines last week when he narrowly avoided a gunman who opened fire outside the club he was partying in. The One Direction star was at the Peppermint Club in West Hollywood when a man who’d been denied entry took out a gun and fired shots in the car park outside.SAFETY WORRIES
While Liam was unharmed, insiders say the incident left Cheryl deeply shaken.
A source reveals: “She’s been finding it hard enough with the pressures of a long-distance relationship and was really worried when she heard about what happened. The last thing Liam would want to do is upset Cheryl, so he’s reassured her that everything is OK and that he’s taking good care of himself. Spending time apart has been tough on both of them – and with the baby set to arrive soon, Cheryl has been feeling even more vulnerable.”
LONG-DISTANCE WOES
The pair were inseparable after they went public with their surprise romance in February last year – seen out on a string of dates and sharing pictures of themselves on social media.
But despite Liam, 23, working on recording material in the States to launch his solo career and Cheryl, 33, living with her mum Joan Callaghan, 57, in her £5million Hertfordshire home, sources close to her say she was upset over recent reports that she and Liam have been living “separate lives.”
Cheryl’s had a string of turbulent relationships. She divorced cheating footballer Ashley Cole, 36, just four years after their lavish wedding in 2006, then married French restauranteur Jean-bernard Fernandez-versini, 36, after a whirlwind three-month romance, but they split at the end of 2015 after just 18 months.
A source says: “Cheryl completely trusts Liam but she sometimes worries about the idea of him out clubbing – especially considering how possessive so many of his fans are. She doesn’t want him to be a sitting target.
“At the moment Cheryl wants to lie low while Liam is working on his album. She’s hoping that once the baby comes they’ll be able to spend proper time
together in the UK. She says she needs him by her side.”
The source adds: “Liam’s reassured her that’s exactly what he wants. He says his priority is looking after Cheryl and the baby.”
PREPARING TO BE PARENTS
Last week, a van for swanky baby range Silver Cross – who are used by Prince William and Kate Middleton – was seen delivering goods to Cheryl’s home. And insiders say Liam is determined to devote as much time as possible to Cheryl as they prepare to become parents.
A source says: “Liam is promising to spend some time cosying with Cheryl on the sofa, watching her favourite TV shows. He knows that right now she just needs his time and his undivided attention and to be reassured of them as a couple. The transatlantic flights have been exhausting. Liam’s torn between wanting to spend time with Cheryl and fulfilling his work commitments. It’s been a tough few months, but they’re looking forward to quality time together.”