"Poppy wake up." My uncle sang sitting himself down next to me in the bed.

"No." I mumbled creasing my forehead in a half conscious state, a could feel my head pulsating like a heartbeat from yesterday night.

"We have to go to work." He spoke firmly.

"That's nice." I said unable to fully process what he was saying.

"Well you can stay here, but if you do, I guess you won't be able to see Cynthia and Julian." He spoke sweetly with a condescending undertone, making my eyes shoot open. I really wanted to see Cynthia and Jules, I had missed them terribly.

I had practically helped raise him for the first few months of his life until they moved out to London. Cynthia and I were very close friends, we still phoned each other often, and wrote each other constantly. Since she had stayed in my uncle's house with me for a good portion of her pregnancy all the way up until she left for London, we grew very fond of each other.

"I'm up!" I said slipping out of bed and grabbing onto the clothes I had set out for myself the night before, before passing out cold. My uncle chuckled, getting up from the bed.

"That's what I thought, be ready in ten minutes." He looked at his watch leaving my room.

My jaw dropped and I scrambled to get my things together. Once he had shut the door to the room, I threw my clothes on and did my makeup, packing a book bag filled with things I would need to be an assistant.

"Ready?" My uncle knocked as I was pulling a thin white jacket over my yellow sundress.

"Yeah!" I called grabbing the bag and opening the door. I followed him to the front door into the hallway, wearing a dark pair of sunglasses to hide the bags under my eyes and shield them from the sunlight that I was extra sensitive to this morning.

"Today they're filming until two o'clock, but afterwards a man from tyne tees television is coming for an interview with the boys." My uncle spoke sounding stressed. He often was when the press was involved, he felt he never knew what would happen with the boys and their wits.

We took the elevator downstairs and got ourselves to Brian's car, beginning to drive to our first full day working together again.

He played with the radio dial, finally stopping on an unfamiliar station.

"-Welcome back to Beatle talk here on BBC radio where we give you all the latest Beatles news," the man spoke making me intrigued. I had never heard this segment before.

"Last night Paul McCartney and John Lennon were seen leaving a pub in London around 1am last night with who a source says to be Brian Epstein's new assistant," the man carried on making me wince. I didn't remember much about yesterday night but I did remember the blinding flash of a camera.

"Great." My uncle exhaled.

"Yeah, I mean, the source couldn't have told them my name? I bet it was that Walter guy." I shook my head. When I had been introduced to Walter the producer, I didn't think he bothered much to welcome me at all, though he was a very busy man.

"No Poppy you're missing the point." My uncle readjusted his grip on the steering wheel. I rolled my eyes.

"I know, I know, you'd prefer to keep me from the press, I understand." I sank into the seat.

"For good reason." My uncle spoke authoritatively.

"Oh I bet, I didn't want to be a on a magazine cover anyway." I shrugged dryly looking out the window, seeing we were pulling up to the studio gates.

I remained silent, listening to the radio until we parked and got out.

"Mr. Epstein!" Some reporters called from the other side of the gates. I did what I remembered John and Paul doing yesterday, putting my hand to block my face from getting photographed, I had gotten ready in ten minutes, today wasn't my best day to get my picture taken.

"Who's with you Mr. Epstein?" A reporter asked curiously above the others questions.

My uncle sighed as we made it to the studio doors, going down a separate hallway to a different studio, one that was much smaller than the day before. They had it set up like a dressing room, making me intrigued. I never really got to learn much about the film, just that it was a day in the life of "the Beatles" as Brian likes to put it.

"Poppy, can you talk to Mr. Shenson and tell him we're going down Tuesday to record the song "A Hard Day's Night" while I go talk to the boys?" He asked. I nodded obediently.

I walked over to the producer shyly, seeing he was very busy. When he looked up from his clipboard my eyes widened in nervousness, although it was barely visible behind the thick rimmed Buddy Holly type sunglasses.

"My uncle, I mean, Brian wanted me to let you know the boys are going down to the studio Tuesday to record "A Hard Day's Night"." I spoke nervously.

"Oh, thank you, uh," he drifted off waiting for a name.

"Poppy. Poppy Epstein." I grinned. I bet he was "the source", my brain spat. I turned back around and I saw the boys and my uncle coming back into the room.

Paul laughed when he saw me.

"I like your sunglasses." He called over to me making me blush, I did look pretty bizarre with them on indoors, I had to admit. He knew it was because I drunk too much yesterday, after all he was the one to practically carry me up to the apartment.

"Piss off!" I called back with a smirk, making my uncle give me a look as Paul giggled getting onto set.

My smile dropped instantly, I guess I forgot things were a bit different in London than in Liverpool, usually girls didn't say things like that here I suppose because some people gave me strange glances.

I felt a tap on my shoulder, making me turn around quickly. My eyes practically bulged from my head seeing Cynthia with Julian in her arms.

"Cyn!" I squealed taking off the sunglasses, wincing for a second and hugging her. She laughed kindly.

"Poppy!" She spoke in between giggles.

"Look how big Jules got." I was wreathed in smiles as we broke away from the hug, watching Julian's small smile.

"Oh, yeah, I can't even believe it." Cynthia laughed.

"He looks just like you and John." I smiled in awe, watching him as he mirrored my expression with a big sparkle in his eyes.

"Yeah, except he's much smarter," She joked.

"Jules, show aunt Poppy what you learned. Show her your look." She grinned tickling his stomach.

He looked at me happily and wiggled his eyebrows like his father did, constantly. I laughed and clapped for Julian.

"Now he really looks like his father." I giggled making Cynthia chuckle as well.

"He's very smart." I agreed ruffling his hair gently, making him giggle.

"So how have you been? Did you ever end up going on another date with that bloke? What's his name, Will? William?" Cynthia asked contemplatively, making me cringe slightly reminiscing the date I had went on just recently.

"I'm great," I trailed off, my smile dropping slightly. "And er, no, he erm, brung up marriage?" I spoke meekly, it almost sounding like a question, my cheeks reddening.

"On the first date?" Her eyes widened, I nodded laughing slightly at how ridiculous it sounded.

"He wanted a beautiful reception in Hawaii." I sighed making Cyn laugh.

She knew I had the worst luck when it came to dating, I had never really picked the right guy, after George that was.

They quieted everyone down so they could begin filming, Cynthia and I stood beside Brian to watch. I threw on my sunglasses once again, my head was absolutely killing me.
                   _________________

I had been quite entertained watching Paul yell "Zap" and "Shazam" into the camera trying to get a good take when suddenly, Cynthia nudged me. I looked over at her curiously.

"That guy is checking you out." Cynthia smiled whispering lowly. I shuddered slightly.

"It isn't the creepy old janitor in the dirty coveralls I saw earlier, is it?" I looked at her with horror.

"How did you know?" She smiled sarcastically. I rolled my eyes at her smirk.

"Three o'clock." She smiled turning her head back to the set. Letting my curiously get the best of me, I looked to my right like Cynthia instructed, seeing a man, looking to be in his thirties, gazing at me with a grin. I blushed and turned my head.

"He's a grown man." I spoke baffled, quiet enough so Brian wouldn't hear me.

"But he's probably loaded, he's an actor after all. His name is Victor Spinetti." She giggled.

My eyes widened and I shook my head at Cynthia smiling, I didn't imagine her thinking that way, but I liked where her head was at.

Cynthia loved trying to play matchmaker for me, but I never seemed to click with anyone. I had even contemplated giving up and not even getting married or have kids, I wasn't even sure if I could see myself living that type of lifestyle.

While I was looking around the room, my eyes landed on Pattie Boyd for a moment, a model I had recognized from the magazines I read back home.

"Is that Pattie Boyd?" I asked speechlessly staring back over in her direction like a star stuck child in the presence of their idol. I looked back at Cynthia after hearing no response, realizing she had a somber look taking over her features.

"Yeah..." she trailed off uncomfortably.

"What's wrong?" I asked impatiently, still whispering the best I could although I was extremely curious.

"Pattie is George's girlfriend." She grimaced.

"Oh." I said looking back at Pattie, as she stared at George on set, batting her perfect little eyelashes.

"Gear." I squeaked, pursing my lips.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Cynthia asked after a pause.

"There's nothing to talk about," I forced a smile at Cynthia before directing my attention to Jules, letting him hold onto my finger.

"He's single, he's free to date whoever he pleases." I shrugged, looking back up at Cyn.

He can date whoever he pleases, I replayed the words in my head. Even if she were one of the most beautiful girls in all of London, an annoying voice made my insecurity heighten.

Cynthia looked at me once more with a frown before turning back to the set where the boys were still working hard at trying to get each clip just right.

Pattie. Boyd. I didn't even want to think about it. They both deserve happiness, I should be glad they found each other. I really shouldn't waste my energy thinking about it, but-

No, stupid brain, just, focus on the scene.

"Lookit, I thought I was supposed to be getting
a change of scenery and so far I've seen a train and a room, a car and a room and a room and a room. Well, that's maybe all right for a bunch of powdered gee-gaws like you lot but I'm feeling decidedly strait-jacketed." William Brambell, the actor from 'Steptoe and son' that played Paul's grandfather spoke.

"Him and me both." I muttered so Cynthia could hear in attempt to lighten the mood, making her laugh.

"Oh, that's not true, John said you went out for drinks last night." She smiled looking at the positive side.

"Yeah, but I haven't really seen London yet, y'know?" I smiled mischievously, making her smile. I planned to go sightseeing soon, but knowing how busy the boys were going to be I doubted it would happen.

One of the crew members looked back bitterly and motioned for us to be quiet. I gave him a dirty look as he faced towards the set once again.

"What's wrong with him?" I asked grumpily.

                      _______________

I don't think I'd ever been so depressed at lunchtime before.

Cynthia left with Julian to meet with a new babysitter, leaving me alone and actually obligated to get some work done. I'd done lots running around in the studio to make sure actors and crew went where they needed to be, I felt as if I were less of my uncle's manager and more of everyone else's.

The sad feeling however, really rooted from watching Pattie and George talk lovingly away from everyone working, as George smoked a cigarette, the habit he had supposedly given up years ago.

"Poppy." Ringo nearly shouted, snapping his fingers in front of my face. I snapped out of the daze I was in and looked at him, confused.

He motioned to my hand where a plastic cup of water was crushed in my fist, the water spilled all over my high heels.

"Are you alright love?" Ringo asked with a chuckle.

"Yeah, er, fine. I just, don't like water at room temperature." I spoke cringing at my own excuse as I turned my back to throw the plastic cup in the garbage.

"So, how's Mo been back in Liverpool for the past while?" Ringo asked trying not to sound overly eager. I smirked over at him knowingly.

"She's good," I trailed off.

"-but she's dying to get out here sometime longer than just a day. Say Ritchie, when are you just going to ask her to move out here?" I asked almost repeating Mo's exact words. I almost laughed at how naturally the sentence seemed to me, but I had just sprung it on Ringo like a can of worms.

Maureen was also a pretty close friend like Cynthia, Mo was also my hairdresser for quite some time now, so gossip about her relationship with Ringo was something I heard about quite often.

Ringo looked flustered, a small pink tinge filling his cheeks.

"I-I dunno." He brought himself to say finally, looking like he was in deep contemplation. I hummed in response grabbing an apple from the snack table and taking a bite.

"Boo." John whispered in my ear from behind making me jump. Why do I always get frightened? It was nothing new that John would sneak up behind me, it was by now a hobby of his.

"I'm going to have a heart attack one of these days if you keep that up." I tried to steady my heartbeat.

"I almost forgot how easily frightened you are." John mumbled, more interested in the snack table, looking for something to eat, licking his lips and smiling over exaggeratedly.

I watched as George and Pattie began to walk this way, chatting about god knows what, Pattie whispering in George's ear.

"I'm going to go-" I spoke uncomfortably, turning around to walk away, immediately bumping into someone.

"Hello love." Paul smiled down at me amused at my rush.

"Sorry Paul." I frowned brushing off his suit.

"Hello boys." I heard a female voice greet from behind me.

I turned around slowly to see it was Pattie, George beside her, puffing away at his cig. I grit my teeth uncomfortably, my stomach dropping.

The boys greeted her briefly, grabbing things off the snack table for themselves.

It was odd to me, usually it was George rushing to grab something to eat, but something felt, off, he stayed by Pattie's side motionless. I didn't look up to his face, I was too much of a coward.

"Pattie, this is Poppy." Paul introduced me, putting a hand on my shoulder comfortingly.

"Oh! I've heard so much about you from the boys and Brian." She smiled, showing the cute little gap between her teeth. I forced a smile briefly, noticing from the corner of my eye George was now looking in my direction.

"Really? Because no one told me about you." I forced a wide grin, speaking in an overly sweet voice. It was half true, I knew George had gotten a girlfriend, but no one told me it was Pattie Boyd for Christ sake!

She giggled, obviously not understanding why Paul, Ringo and John all looked at me in fear I was about to explode. I still didn't dare look George's way, I didn't even want to see what look he was giving me.

"Okay, well, excuse us but Poppy and I need to go find Brian. We'll catch up later." Paul smiled, tugging my arm. I walked away with him tensely, following along with his fib. I definitely did not handle that well.

Paul shook his head smiling.

"What?" I asked defensively as we walked away.

"I don't think I've seen anyone as obvious as that before." He smirked.

"Well, yeah, I mean," I tried to find the right words.

"You still have a thing for George, don't you?" He asked benevolently with a grin, seeming like he already knew the answer.

"What? No, it's just a bit strange seeing him after so long is all." I shook my head in denial. I couldn't still have a thing for George. I knew that. He'd moved on, I had to too.

Paul looked like he wanted to say speak up, but kept quiet, continuing to walk with me in a comfortable silence, obviously not wanting to push me to talk about it.