Premiere Movie Night

A week later and the Beatles were to assemble at Paul's to go, en-masse, to the theatre.

Paul insisted on catering for those Beatles, family and friends gathering prior but when the lady came down with the flu at the last minute I stepped in. Sorting a pretty display of appetisers and canapes, vegetable chips, petit fours and lollies, for the sweet- toothed George mainly, although, to my surprise, I had to refill the bowls a few times, Maureen was peckish and the lollies and small cakes beckoned.

"Hello Abigail" Jane dropped a glass gently in the sink and made me jump, I hadn't heard her at all. I hip bumped her hi as my hands were sudsy wet.

"You made it! Paul said you might get stuck on set"

Paul and I had sat the last few nights chatting and discussing all things long distance- music, family and even the 'knife salesmen' debacle. It came about after his weeklong succession of quickish half hour international calls to Jane in the United States. The film producers didn't want her coming back to London even though it had been scheduled for months.

"Well I made it but there is a big 'not so nice' catch..... I'm back on the plane at 1am" Jane grimaced then shook her head and I think my mouth hung open in stunned silence, this was Pauls time, Jane took it as my 'wow back to the states crazy' face "I know right! It's so crazy!! I love it!!!" She was grinning from ear to ear and I felt a big dark stab of pain for Paul... couldn't he have just one night.

As I continued to wash the dirtied plates and utensils from baking, I watched the movements of the guests as they flittered about house in the kitchen windows' reflection. I could see Brian had arrived, looking especially spiffy in a tuxedo, hair brill-creamed lightly in place and his trademark lopsided grin tacked on sincerely, Pattie dragged him through to say hello.

"Abigail!" Brian caught my attention, his usually friendly voice was terse and impatient.

I have often here him raising his voice towards the boys if they become too out of control in EMI hallways.

Shaking my hands to rid them of the excess soap suds I slid the towel over them, dropping it to the bench beside me before turning to greet him, his jaw was ever so slightly clenched "I'm a little bemused as to why you are washing up in your.... giraffe print pyjamas...." Brian paused and his eyes caught mine after I glanced down and back up at him.

I frowned, I guess they sort of looked like pj's. "It's a peasant lace trimmed-" I watched Brian start to zoom out "..Never mind" They weren't pyjamas, it was a loose-fitting shirt, with a giraffe on it and some soft Indian I Dream of Jeannie type silk harem pants.

".....So you're not dressed ready to go out"

I opened and closed my mouth like a fish gulping for air, do they gulp for air? Gulp for water? Anyway.... moving along.

I stood silently as Pattie, in her beautiful aqua gown sidled up beside me and looked at Brian like he had two heads "Brian don't you dare tell me this girl is supposed to be going tonight!"

"Well that was the plan, my plus one actually" He returned to his default face, that of appearing calm and happy, but his foot had other ideas and started tapping at the storm I was creating.

"You didn't tell me!!" I shrieked rather loudly and it made Paul hurriedly rush from the now, near packed, living room to see what was going on.

"You saw your own name on the cards you wrote did you not?" Brian puzzled.

"No, I went home after I.... After I...." I sighed heavily "After I was ill" My smile was thin after my excuse exited my mouth. another lie but I had no other choice to use illness as an excuse, what with everyone in the house "No harm done, you can go on your own Brian"

"No, No, NO! You simply must come, there will be an empty seat, that isn't suitable at all" Brian groaned, It was just a seat but apparently he needed a bum on it.

"Perhaps a lucky fan or reporter or someone- Mal! Mal can sit there! That should help you out..or, or Neil! Mister Martin!" I turned back to the sink with a happy smile at my fixing of his conundrum, done.

"Mal has his own seat,  and Neil, and George Martin, and George's wife- Judy! Abigail" Brian pointedly pointed out so I had to stop throwing names about and shut my trap.

Paul put an arm around my shoulder giving me a comforting squeeze "It'll be fine Abbs, no problem Brian I'll stay back and wait for Abbs, then we'll meet you there"

I think Brian had a minor 'episode' as he paled, then his whole body tensed up and he turned red in the face at Paul's 'no bother I'll be late to my own premiere' solution.

"No bother..... No bother he says!!! One quarter of the band doesn't want to arrive on time and he justshurgs and says... No- "

"How long do we have" Pattie chirped in saving us all as the volume of Brian's anguished voice vibrated throughout the room.  Carrying his rising tension throughout the house. Everyone would be filing into the kitchen very soon if he kept up this worrisome tilt in his voice.

Brian studied his watch as we all stood quietly "Oh...Ummm, 28 minutes, til the motor" Brian grumbled, still pondering his predicament.

"Right. Abigail. Upstairs- now!" Pattie ordered, grabbing my wrists and tugging me away from Paul and down the hall to the stairs.

"Pattie, I don't have any...." I whinged and Pattie turned around grinning like the little calculating but cute fairy she was. I then saw her thoughts clearly. Yes I did, I had a beautiful gold dress hanging at the back of the closet, didn't I.

I nodded slowly, my face showing apprehensive worry.

I was then resigned to accept that I, Abigail Grant, would be taken to the night's festivities as Brian's plus one and there was nothing I could do about it. 

 Pattie tugged again and I was hurried up the stairs as fast as her cream heels would carry her.

Five minute shower done.

Four minutes to scrounge about for the pair of heels that matched the dress... I had shoved them under the bed and subsequently forgotten their whereabouts. 

One to put the gown on.

Ten minutes for Pattie to work a miracle with my hair and makeup.

...And seven for her to actually convince me to leave my room.

We descended the stairs 27 minutes and 10 seconds later, well not we- me.

Pattie had the gall to say she needed to be at the bottom of the stairs to watch the faces drop.

"Come on Abbs" Pattie prompted, I peeked down in time to see her swinging her arm wildly to gather the tribe at the bottom of the stairs, I knew her game, any longer and the mass of bodies around her would double.

Taking a big breathe I stepped off the landing, silent footfalls on the carpet runner golden heels carrying me down a slow careful almost fearful descent into a roomful of eyes, a roomful of new friends and brother, another step and Pattie is jumping up and down like a lunatic.  I know because George is trying lassoo her with his arms to calm her. 

My hand, palm down, sliding along the timber banister railing. It was the only available support for my fraying nerves, the wood taking my vibration of shakes as I slid towards....

"Oh God, Abigail you look beautiful" Paul threw me a heartfelt compliment and more flowers of words then followed.

"Pattie where did you hide Abby? As I think an angel is here instead" I blushed so badly when Richard said that. 

I was now two steps up from the bottom, just a touch above them all. I paused in my descent, there was no room in the foyer for me to step anyway.

"George stepped up, kissed my cheek and whispered "I knew you were beautiful, but now you're star-shine lovely"

And Brian "Very lovely Abigail, Pattie wonderful work"

Pattie took Georges hand as he stepped back from the base of the stairs "Brian I just touched up, it was always there" She smiled at me with sweet conviction, I returned her wide smile with a shaky one of my own.

As the throng of guests stepped outside to the awaiting chariots, John hung back combing fingers through his hair and acting like he needed to straighten his tie in the hall mirror. 

I was worried about this, seeing him again; all while he stood beside Cynthia but I needn't fear as he closed the gap between us, his eyes danced with merriment and his smile truly sincere, I begrudgingly smirked back, he was a hard man to keep angry with.

I seemed stuck, rooted to the spot on the steps, having not moved one inch at all. I was still Abigail the wallflower, still the girl behind the girl that gets the guy.

John took my hand and pressed a sweet kiss on my skin, a finger tugging gently at the loose curl at my cheek "I never had any doubts you could shine so bright"

Speechless, I wiped an invisible crease from the front of my dress and smiled at him, deciding I would enjoy the night for all it was worth. Finally I found my voice, replying softly "It means a lot that you think so"

"Come on John off with you, I'll help Abs" Paul interrupted, pushing John towards the, now almost full, vehicles. "May I walk the fair maiden to the carriage?" His eyebrow raised cheekily, that eyebrow gets me every time I swear. A fleeting kiss was planted lightly on my cheek.

"Of course, I would be delighted"

I was finally Cinderella.

A princess for the night.

I would enjoy this so very much.