Amsterdam-Boys

The plane touched down at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, Netherlands, just on 1pm. A booked television show was first on the cards for the day, after a few delays the show went smoothly in front of around 150 or so. An audience of men...

Once Paul had launched into Long Tall Sally most of those men decided to get up and join the bewildered boys on stage. All too soon it was apparent they needed to make a speedy extraction from the situation.

They left so fast Jimmy was still drumming after the boys fled.

James and I sorted the equipment with Neil; Mal had driven the boys back to the hotel. Arriving back around midnight we were met with silence and darkened rooms.

"Shite" Neil bellowed as he darted into the various rooms.

"They've done a runner Rox, can you stay here, Jimmy and I will go to the closer clubs see if we can flush 'em out. The weasels" Neil was half way down the hall to the stairs by the time I said "Righto"

Three a.m and I'm cleaning up the mess of six lads - beer bottles, teacups, lolly wrappers and peanut shells discarded - were driving me nuts  literally. I wanted to stay up and wait so I cleaned to keep awake.

A flash of pink rushed by me, I only just caught the fabrics' colour out of the corner of my eye. I had been cleaning around the wash basin in Paul and Georges room, suddenly the room swelled. The one girl being joined by twenty more giggling adoring fans. They poured through the suite looking for their marks. I grabbed a phone ringing down to reception asking for security.

Just as the girls seemed about to give up Neil shoved the boys through the front door. From my position just inside the bedroom door, I could see Johns face- he grimaced, George had an 'oh no" face and Paul looked like he was a target on a shooting range. They were in no mood for little girls and quickly crashed through the closest door available, locking it behind them.

Seconds later a whistle blew and policemen raced into the room. I saw the girls rounded up and let out of sigh. Time to let the boys know. As I padded across the living area a single policeman came back in, took one look at me and made a grab for my arm.

"I'm with the band"

"Right lady. Not likely. You coming with me" He rattled off in broken English.

I screamed for the boys behind the door -nothing.

I yelled their names- nothing.

They must think I'm one of the girls and so they leave me to my fate with the copper.

**************

Dawn- I'm in a cell, it's been 2 hours or more. Most of the girls were gone now, parents being called for and the girls admonished loudly through the cell cage before being released to mummy's arms.

I was now sat here with four hookers, two drunkards and pick pocket, well I think she is, she keeps grabbing things out of her pockets and underwear, which obviously aren't hers.

Every time a copper walked by I was up and at him saying my name, asking him to call the hotel, to ask for Neil- nothing, the last one shoved his baton roughly in my side. Memories flood and my mood is getting blacker as the sun rises and I curse Brian for staying with Ringo.

Surely someone has risen from his nice soft, warm bed and noticed I'm not there!

****

OK this is ridiculous. I've now remembered it's a lay day.

I'm tired. I'm annoyed. The memories that had curled like smoke around me flitted away as the day broke proper over the window ledge. Not happy but not fearful like I was when held in the Liverpool Police Station watchhouse.

The boys have nothing on, no interviews or appearances, so all they would do today is lounge around the hotel.

Its got to be lunch time I realise by now, some stale sandwiches are being thrown in to those remaining incarcerated...

*************

An older chap wanders in glaring through the bars perhaps he is the drunks' father. He twirls his beard and grunts. He seems off somehow, weird. He spots me and points, a copper walks in and shoves me up into the bars. I turn my head and hit the metal side on at the last moment.

"This one. Yours. Eh?" The copper asks in his own brand of broken English, still pushing on me with his right arm. My cheek pressing into metal.

Flooding memories from eon's ago come back to the fore and I squirm for dear life.

"Hmmmm." The old man nods slightly.

The policeman starts trying to push me to the cell door but I hang onto the bars "I'm not his and I'm not budging" I yell. I'd rather the 'known' of a cell than unknown of a creepy old man.

"Stop. Stop. Rox" The old man says my name in a rush. I freeze and peer into his face realising who it is. By now I'm overtired, angry and irritated. Definitely not in any mood for games.

The 'old man' nods at the policeman again who starts pushing me through the door. The other girls noisily booing and hissing at the scene I'm making.

"Shit Paul what the hell!" I launch a verbal assault at him when I'm finally out of the cage. "Couldn't you wait til 5 o'clock... I was going to have a game of gin with the girls"

"Sarcasm and being narky at your saviour is not becoming" Paul comes close to me so I can see the  over done wink he pointedly gives me as the police officer hovers.

As we hit the pavement I sock him in the stomach and march off down the street.

Running up behind me, Paul gets in front, walking backwards at a fast pace. I'm not stopping. "Hey, uncalled for! I rescued you at least a little sugar before you swing that arm of yours luv"

"Would have been nice if I had been rescued a tad earlier Paul. I never want to be in a cell again."

I'm calming down as I take the stairs but ready for round two as we open the door to the room.

"There she is, looking grand this afternoon Roxan" George says drolly.

"George.... Don't" Paul is hissing in their ears as I stomp to the closest shower.

"Where the hell were you all" I yelled the question as I turn the shower on. James looks cowed and upset. John just hangs his head. George wanders in with a packet of biscuits offering them round like he would any other afternoon. Paul now young again plops down on the end of Johns bed.

"Sorry" Each replied, dejectedly.

"After the coppers left we went to bed, just thought you had too. We had no idea... that was 'til Paul wandered up the hall to you with a cuppa and not getting any response from your room"

John nodded for the boys to clear off leaving him and I in the silent room "Sorry love, you're ok though- right?" He utters sincerely, taking in my tired appearance.

"I'm completely knackered, I'm cold and sore and I'm taking a shower" I turn the water to hot and go to lift my arms. Nothing. I just can't, I dont have any energy left.

"Winks?"

Johns POV

"Yes luv?" I ask.

"I can't...." Rox had her hands up a tad above her head, exhaustion was curling round her, making her bob her head between waking and sleep.

"Oh your shirt. Right. Sure?"

"Yes........nothing you haven't seen before I'm sure you have seem plenty of girls in your day. Right?" Rox speaks slowly to the empty room.

Her eyes are shut completely now and I feel strange dragging the blouse over her head. I unfasten the zipper so she could slide down her skirt.

Rox wasn't any other girl. She was timid and shy when she first came to London, gradually gaining confidence in herself again. The closest I've got to her was that night she paid her 'wager' after the card game, her kiss. Sure, we have joked around while sharing the papers or crossword but I haven't pressed her to date or anything as I'd like to.

"Step forward for me luv" I instruct as she flops exhausted toward me, stepping on her skirt that dropped to the floor seconds prior. She's asleep for all intents and purposes.

She's lovely she is, she's got everything I like. Mind, soul and now, seeing more than I should in the current circumstance, body. I turn off the shower, it would be useless to put her in it now.

"I'm going to put ya to bed luv, have a shower tomorrow" Her limbs flop limply with sleep as I lay her on the bed, I arrange her gently to be comfortable. Then she takes care of herself, curling slowly onto her side. I can't help it, my lips press to her forehead, her brow wrinkling as they leave. Roxan, my girl, sleep well.