Wild Animals and Cake

On June 18, The Beatles returned to Sydney. They would be performing six concerts over three nights at the Sydney Stadium to a combined crowd of 60,000 people. 

But today we had a lay day.

"You know I feared I would be permanently replaced because of this illness" Richard spoke to us all as we gathered in the small but functional kitchen for breakfast of Cornflakes and tea.

"What rot Rings the whole place has gone to pot without you here to guide us through the shows. James here has been great 'an all but no one could replace you me lad" John spoke from the heart, looking directly at Richard over his thick rimmed specs. Then got back to the matter at hand, he glanced down at his daily crossword tapping the page with the pen he had just swiped out of my hand. "OK, Rox- One down – Important day- Eight letters. Starts with B"

"Temporarily cured, you know. Need to go back and get these tonsils removed later. Perhaps in December" Richard mumbled over his tea.

"Richie" I leaned over to him and sat my head on his shoulder. I knew he was wanting attention and feared the hospital stays creeping into his life again "You are one in a mil. This is a small set back and the tonsils- it's not like when you were a kid. It will be only a little while not months, OK" I got a quick hug and kiss on the cheek, which I pretended to swoon over, making my friend smile.

"Watch yourself Rings she is a right stirrer that one, always mucking us about with jokes, and the like" Paul stirred the air with his teaspoon then leaned over for another spoon of sugar; I'm pretty sure that was four in the cup now.

"What's this about a stirrer?" Brian just had to walk in when Paul was diss-ing me.

"Oh yeah, all sorts of trouble that one" George drolled flatly to the room, shooting me a sarky yet very cheeky look.

"Miss Nicholls, a word outside if you don't mind" Brian's voice was quite strained and his face showed disdain.

"We're having you on Bri, you prat!" John said never looking up from his crossword. "Rox, Rox crossword. Come on love- important date- Eight letters."

"Birthday" Paul spoke sadly over Johns head.

"Thanks Paulie. Fits perfect" John wiggled his eyebrows at me. Ignoring poor old Paul and his attempt to get someone to remember that today was in fact his birthday. I smirked and looked back down at the upside-down crossword on the other side of the table.

Brian ignored the crossword questions and returned to the earlier stirrer conversation  "Oh. Oh well, no bother, I should have guessed I was being led on a merry chase yet again!" Brian grabbed a cup of tea and walked off to his room.

The whole morning was spent in the hotel, everyone pottering around watching television, listening to the radio, leaning on the balcony watching the world go by, well Neil and I did, not the lads! 

At eleven a.m I had organised that we all get ready to leave for a fun afternoon and remindered all to bring a change of clothes, some swimmers and hats. We however, failed to tell Paul, who by now, was, as expected,  sulkily holed up in his room.

It was John's idea to rush into Paul's room. He jumped up and down on the poor boy's bed yelling "Happy Birthday, Son. Happy-Bird day lad!" like a wild man. Paul took a few seconds to react, his face stunned then, we were all crammed in the doorway of the room tossing him our happy wishes for his special day.

"I thought you lot had plum gone and forgot" He smiled happily.

"No way, we had make you really, really really angry to make you really, really happy mate" Richie spoke such nonsense it made sense! We all fell about laughing "What. What did I say" he deadpanned.

After we all gave Paul a hug. It was time to get going. John had sneakily sorted Paul's clothes of the day. So we were all set to leave.

"Ok. Down to the foyer you lot. Sorry Brian I keep taking over" I looked over the milling group of boys at him.

"No love, you have this! This is your baby to organise" Brian smiled sincerely at me and I gave him a hug as we left the room, causing him to blush.

"So what now, Rox!?" Richie questioned. I had about a dozen or so faces turned towards me, Paul front and centre looking like he was going to burst.

I silently pointed out toward the front of the building; A large blue and silver bus was parked right in front. A stampede of people tore off to hop on board. A few fans that had camped overnight got a quick hello in but were, on the whole, very well behaved and wished Paul a happy birthday day to which he smiled broadly.

I climbed aboard "I was actually talking about the mini cooper parked behind the bus, but we're all here now" I sighed dramatically, then grinned. A hat was thrown at me of course. Children.

As the bus set off I sat beside Freda, she had flown out to Australia with Brian at his request for a few days as a special treat and she was as much the planner of this adventure as I. 

As we took a tour of the city looking at the sights and people the entire bus seemed to lift a weight off and replace it with smiles and happiness. We slowed, and turned down a narrow lane-way between two old buildings weaving in and out til we arrived at our first destination.

"Where the blazers are we Rox" Paul quizzed me as he stepped off the bus and slipped his sunglasses on, a gift from Brian I believe.

"You'll see. Be patient" I patted him on the shoulder. Just then a large yacht slowly sailed up to the dock and tied up.

"Its massive that boat there" John yelled out. "Beautiful isn't it though"

As the crew of the yacht tied it to the mooring. I made sure the bus was empty of everyone's bags.

"Well don't just stand there, get on it" I laughed at the perplexed faces, til it dawned I wasn't joking.

So began a beautiful, tranquil and very magical afternoon on Sydney Harbour. A lunch was set up with all sorts of prawns, crabs, salads and a grill of hamburgers that fed the ever hungry lads til they all laid on the decks full and sated. As we sailed round the bays and under the Sydney Harbour Bridge passing the partially completed Opera House the entire boat relaxed and enjoyed. We rounded another point jutting out into the harbour and the yacht stilled and set anchor in a secluded spot.

"Well who's up for a swim then!?" I was ready, dropping my sarong and jumped in quickly. I was so quick it caught the lads by surprise, leading the boat to hoot and holler with the majority following me into the crystal clear waters that lapped a small private sandy beach.

"My god Miss Nicholls I think you have seriously gone potty in the sun" Paul smiled then splashed me, I splashed him back then John and Freda joined us in the drenching. "Thank-you though this has been absolutely awesome"

"Well don't get too worn out, the afternoon is still young" Freda giggled as Richie bomb dived off the boat near us.

"And when were you going to warn me about your swim wear, Miss Rox" John glanced down through the water. I blushed and did the only thing I could do splashed him and swam away as fast as I could towards the shallows, I was just able to touch the sandy bottom when he yanked me back from behind and pinned me to him in a wet watery bear hug.

"John let. Me. Go. You oaf" I tried to push away from his chest but he grabbed my arm I was now at his mercy I couldn't swim as my limbs were harnessed.

"You didn't answer, me luv" Glancing down he let his arms straighten so he could view my modest one piece swimsuit more intently. He was loving that I was squirming which was not helping my cause whatsoever. As I reddened and my blush moved over me, I gave up and stilled, letting him hold me. I couldn't win. He shifted his hands to my hips and lifted me up high out of the water and I squealed causing most of the boat to glance over, though they all ignored my screams- I got absolutely no assistance. Fine help they all are!

"John. Come on, let me down" I hissed.

"As you command" He then dropped me towards the water proceeding to dunk me twice causing me to splutter and launch at him as he turned away. I grappled him in a piggy back to which he laughed and floundered in the deeper water.

"OK. OK." His hands held high in mock defeat I clung to his back as he got his footing again then he swung me round in front of him again.

"Lemon looks really, really good on you" He nodded downwards to my swimmers.

"Thanks. I think!"

I pushed some wayward strands of hair out of his eyes, the moptop style was plastered down soaked and salty from the seawater.

"Your hair is worse love" He dipped me backwards so my head fell back into the water to my forehead, I felt the briefest feather of a kiss on my neck then he was lifting me again  my hair was now slicked down and flat on my back. As we bobbed around away from the others I couldn't help but touch his cheek and draw a line with my finger round his jawline. As he sucked in a stifled breathe I continued softly touching his neck and slid my palms across his shoulders. He still had me pinned but I wanted to be there now, I wouldn't fight it anymore.

"I've missed our moments. It's been so busy. Hardly even get the crossword done" John whispered quietly.

"I know I.."

"Hey you two!!" George bellowed from the yacht "Freda says it's time?!"

"Oh Ok. We... We have to go"

"I um can't get out of the water just yet" John retorted.

"What? Why?" I eyed him as we swam closer to the boat. He glanced down. I couldn't 'see' anything but when I realised what he was saying I averted my eyes. I didn't do that, did I?

"Yes. Yes you did" John spoke slowly and his voice, slightly pained. He had read my flustered mind.

As we reached the yacht four hands reached down to pull us back onboard and we were back to reality.

As everyone took turns and filed down below-deck to cabins to put their clothes on, a new curiosity stirred those ready for the next part of our day.

"Having fun, Paul?" I walked up behind him as he took a sip of beer, his eyes watching the sun set. The huge grin that greeted me as he turned answered my question. He hugged my shoulders, handed me the beer for a swig and continued to gaze over the harbour. Contemplating the view, and answer.

"This...." his hand moved left to right, taking in the harbour "has to be the most awesome birthday of my life"

"Well it's not over yet....not by a long shot" I gave him a friendly squeeze. Most of the party surrounded us now. All in their own collected thoughts as we ploughed the waves towards the next destination.

As the yacht sailed the harbour it became obvious to those that had their bearings that we were NOT going back to dock, but sailing across the harbour in a totally different direction.

A ferry load of tourists passed by heading in the other direction, all oblivious to the boys on board our vessel... Despite everyone being strangers the entire crowd of us waved like ninnies at the ferry passengers as they waved back.

As the sun dipped, the yacht slowed, a sign began twinkling as it lit up in the evening twillight, it's letters flickering on and off til they warmed and stayed lit. George spotted the letters beginning to light first, then a few others joined him in trying to read the sign.

"Tar Zo" George attempted the name in lights. "Nah can't be that, be a right silly name that"

"Tarona OO" Richie shouted from the back. How he could see over those of us at the front I did not know!

"Zoo, you fool Zoo" John grabbed Rich and pointed the Z out.

"Taronga Zoo?!" Paul said the name twice then realised what he was saying, first looking at me, then Freda for confirmation "We are going to a Zoo, at night, for me!?"

"Yep" Freda and I laughed at his face lighting up with an amazing smile, his eyes lit up like a kid getting ready to unwrap presents at Christmas. Giving us both kisses on the cheeks as he clapped his hands together.

The crew tied the yacht safely against the jetty everyone was gathering their belongings, chattering excitedly, and every now and then we could hear a monkey screech causing the whole boat to ohh and ahh.

We were met by a skeleton staff of zookeepers and personnel; as promised the night was just for us.

All I had to give the staff were autographs and a few happy snaps for them not to scream the event from the roof tops.
After the visit, they could boast about their important visitors but for now it was around 30 staff and our motley bunch.