Lovely Linda

"Are you going to lunch with Linda now, Roxy?" Paul caught up with me as I was about to exit the building I had paused to grab my coat and put my sunnies on.

"Yep!"

"Can you slip me into the convo, luv?" Paul is actually being quite shy. I raise an eyebrow to his request. "I haven't seen her for a couple of weeks... actually since the album launch you know? Ummm"

"Sgt. Pepper's, the beginning of June?!" I say incredulously.

"Well yea, I called her a couple of times yea, so hmmm"

"Slow for YOU Paul, may I say"

"Well, that's just it, I'm not sure she likes me?"

"Wow you really are worried aren't you. Your charm is failing on this one? One that seems to mean something to you"

"Not that really; I don't want to be pushy.. you know me- Paul McCharmly, bulldozering hearts all over Britannia at lightning speed"

"You know she has a little girl don't you. Heather. Beautiful little thing she is"

"Uh- OH, someone's getting clucky!" Paul realises what he has just said and puts a hand on my shoulder "Sorry luv outta line, I know you 'ave been trying"

"Oh great 'News of The World' cover that one, did it? Or Johns big mouth?" I purse my lips and draw a veil over my emotions for a moment then relax; Paul is my friend after all.

"Oh, it's ok Paul, no big deal, some nasty stuff happened to me when I was growing up and unfortunately that seems to have put a stop to all the baby making. The doc tells me I have more chance of being a billionaire- haha not! ........Look. On the bright side I don't need the pill, or condom, do I!!"

I stop, paused in mid speech maybe a little more rant.. wondering what has been said, what has he heard.

"Has John said something, is he upset over............ over me being barren??" I look at Paul's terrified expression and I give up the conversation "Oh stuff it, I'm going to lunch with the ever so lovely Linda. I'll talk to you, and him, later! See ya Charmly" I'm gone before he can say another word.

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

"Hey. Over here! Thought you would never get here. Stood me up!!" Linda Eastman beamed at me, her blonde locks swinging as she jumps up to greet me.

"Ha, no such luck for you, I'm here! Just that cad Paulie chatting to me, wouldn't let me leave the building!" There you go Paul, snuck you into the convo in the first sentence!

"Chatting you up!?" Linda questions slight sadness in her voice.

"Nah., just stirring. Well he chats everyone up... nanas to tiny tots- that's Paul. He can be talking to 15 people but you feel like it's only you. Truthfully.... I have a crush on all the boys, like every fan, they are all special to me. Especially John, of course!!"

"Of course, I never doubted!" she giggles and we sit back at her table leaning across toward each other like school girls telling secrets. "Can you give him this" Linda passes me a parcel "it's just some photos I took at the album launch. And a note, ya know, cause I'm back to New York next week"

"Oh ok.... Just a note then" I pout for Paul "Next Week- Really? That's so soon. I thought you were doing the Jagger photoshoot next Friday, that would be fun. Now there's a charmer!" The rest of the lunch was amazing banter, looking at her new photos and discussing how to meet up in NY one day soon.

We just clicked that day in June, the new Sgt. Peppers album launched with its usual fanfare, press, and more press.., parties and booze. And there she was, Linda sulking around outside- no press pass, no entry. I ran into her literally in my dash from the taxi to meet up with John. We were friends from there on in. I got her inside, and the rest, as they say, is history!