"Race you to the corner" Kate yelled over her shoulder, she wasn't bothered about the race being fair. Beth was stooped over her satchel trying to find the history textbook Kate had requested to borrow over the weekend.

"Hey wait! You wanted this!"

"Yea, so I could beat you to the corner silly!" Katie leaned against the lamppost watching Beth watch her, history book flopping about in her hand as she jiggled it for attention "Come on it's Fri-YAY remember! I've got to go home and get gorgeous for George"

"You're already gorgeous"

"So are you"

"No, I'm not"

"Beth come on, you're hot"

"Hot like mums stew, mush and dumplings ugh"

"It's just baby pudding luv"

"Now you sound like my mum"

"Your mums right, you know. You are her all over girl, just you wait and see"

"Dumplings I am" Beth pinched both sides of her waist and pulled a little extra 'dumpling' outward. It wasn't all that much but it was a cite more than Katie's thin frame and even her mothers and of course, there is the elfin Pattie Boyd that now flutters in, to compare with as well.

"John likes dumplings, I bet" Kate pulled Beth's hands away from her friend's side. She was just going through that awful stage in a girls life. The one where you grow in leaps and bounds and stutters and clunks. The pudding or dumpling or whatever she called it would all move about in it's own time.

"Yummmmmy" Beth covered her mouth in glee at what she had uttered, it was so naughty and funny at the same time!

Giggles erupted from them both as they took off toward Beth's. Skipping, making sometimes silly, sometimes naughty faces at the older occupants of house number's twenty-six through to thirty-nine. Laughing and grinning wildly just thinking of John and George eating stew and sitting all over the furniture again, it was too much, all too much... wonderful in fact.

"Heaven" Beth hugged herself as they scooted past two ladies chatting over a gummy baby in a pram "Today is like heaven" She smiled and spun on the spot, Katie pushed her as she spun and Beth nearly fell. Luckily Kate caught her arm.

"Today is like... I'll get some of George on my fingertips"

"You know Pattie is still coming don't you"

"Now why'd ya have to remind me that for! Course I know she's coming. But she can't hog him, and if I sit on one side, her on the other, it will be fine.. more than fine- ideal"

"Did you want this or not?" Beth held the history book out again as they stopped on the footpath outside of her house. She noticed the light on in her mum's room upstairs "Mum will be getting dolled up, she never gets dolled up but I told her it's The Beatles!!" Katie squealed as Beth admonished "Shush Kate." Beth continued now in a whispered "I said, if the Beatles are coming to dinner, she had to get looking like a member of society not a member of a funeral procession"

"You did not"

"Did too!"

"You so did not Beth"

"Alright I said wear something nice" Sticking out her tongue, Katie took a swipe and was left with slippery fingers and no tongue.

"Ugh! Beth! Yuck! I'm going. See you later, dumpling!"

"Hey!" The book was dropped and Beth chased after Katie til she got to the red letterbox just around the corner, then gave up and turned about to head for home and her mother's funeral procession. She giggled a little at her funny joke.

The curtain upstairs fluttered, the weather was cool but her mum always wanted the room cooler than warmer. Yet if there was a hearth or fireplace anywhere in range of her, it was her mum that sat staring into the flames, blistering heat melting her all over.

This is it, today was the day.

There should be a ticker-tape parade or something Beth mused as she opened the little gate.

There should be gigantic balloons on every inch of the front tatty fence and colourful flags flying by the door.

Signs in the front window declaring 'The Beatles Here- Fri-YAY!' stated in matinee poster like detail. Ticket prices crossed out as there were no tickets, there were none at all. Only a private show, a private visit like the Queen sailing in on her yacht.

'Mum! I'm hom- Paul! What are you doing here?"

"Hey Bethy how was school? Would you like some tea? Do you have homework? Need a hand?" Paul tripped over himself as he tumbled words and questions from his lips. Beth was here "Arrr yea. Tea?" Paul shut the door behind Beth and questions were cast with that eyebrow raised up. Wish I had a shilling for every time a woman eyed my eyebrows, or said somethink about my eyelashes.... wouldn't even need to sing! She's a cute munchkin, shouldn't call her that. Young lady, kid, goat, oops, teenAger, adolescent...

"Why are you pulling all the crockery out of the cupboard?" Beth questioned as she strolled into the kitchen dumping her satchel on a chair. Her face crumpled in confusion and all chipmunky cute.

"Oh. Well you see, I was helping your mum and she went to umm change. Yea change and I thought I'd try and find the set. Tea?" Oh yeah, put the kettle on to make the kiddo tea. Kiddo! "Kiddo"

"Kiddo?"

"Yea can I call you that? Kiddo, like kid with an 'o''

"Well I'd prefer Beth but whatever, it's pretty fab you want to call me anything actually" Beth lit up, Paul wanted to nickname her. It wasn't John and it wasn't Johns nickname but it was still Paul the 'cute one' in inverted commas. "Yea kiddo I guess"

"Right you are. Two sugars? Milk?"

"You don't have to make my tea, I can fetch it myself you know"

"I know that but you have had a long hard day. All that thinking and the like. You went straight to school this morning, didn't you?"

"No, I caught the number thirty bus and went to the zoo. Course I went to school!"

"Cheeky" He laughed his wonderfully giggly light laugh and turned about to fetch the sugar from the counter, checking that the little vixen was on the shelf above with her little fox mate.

"Two sugars and half milk"

"Half!" Paul looked at the bottle there was a heap there, half was do-able. Then he had a bright idea- poured Beth's milky tea, some for himself and set about hiding the milk in the back of the fridge. "So homework?"

"No, It's Fri-YAY!"

"Pardon?"

"Fri-YAY. The Beatles are coming Fri-YAY" Paul looked at Beth blankly "Forget it" Stirring her milk and sugar in Beth watched Paul go back to what he was doing. Counting the plates and knives and forks all set out along the counter in different sized piles of slightly dinged and pitted patterns. He was being particular, trying to marry the designs and such. "Don't bother, there isn't a set amongst the lot. Mum says if it isn't cracked, it's useable"

"She's wise, that woman"

"She's tight"

"Bethhhh" Dropping into the seat opposite he blew on his tea, surreptitiously watching Beth from under his fringe. He was like this at her age, embarrassed by parents, parent. No dosh, no cup and saucer matching but it never hurt no one that. The plate held food, the cup held tea. "Your mums a real go-getter Beth, you should be proud of her"

"Hmmmm right" The sarcastic undertone fit right in with teen angst.

"She is trying really hard and working -"

"And you know all this - how?"

"Because anyone can see that"

"You've only met her once before"

"Well I can see-"

"It was only once before, right?" Beth sat up suddenly and caught Paul unawares. "Has she been round to the studio?! Has she been standing in the studio carpark?! Or visiting your houses!?... Mum! Mum!"

"Coming Beth. Just a mo. I'm just fixing my hair" Filtered down from Jackie still situated in her bedroom up the stairs and down the little hall.

"Beth! Come on - No, she hasn't been to my house!" Boy is this one a detective or what! Just trying to help and she's all Scotland yard on me! Rearing kids is hard. "It was an observation"

"Have you been observing my mum?!" Beth set her spoon down and leaned right over the table. Staring into Paul so much she thought he was going to explode just by the horrified expression on his face.

"And if I had!?!" Like a kid himself he bound to his feet, the munchkin had him by the short and curly's not physically but literally- short- and -curly's. The to and fro of the questions and the way she was boring her eyes into him looking into his soul, discovering all the sex he had been having with her mother .......................

"Don't look at my mum!" Beth stood up and shoved little fists onto her hips. "You don't dare look-"

"I..... I brought records! Yes, and made John come because he was going to back out!!"

"He would never!"

"He was to. I mean he was! I said John... you have to come, Beth would be so upset"

"Ohhhh!!!!!!!!!!! and what did John say???" Hanging onto every word he uttered Beth wore that beseeching look like a dog wanting the last bone in the butcher's window display. What is it with mixing this kid up with a dog- stop it man!

"He said ok. For Beth, not her mum, for Beth"

"Ohhhhhh" Beth's eyes glazed over and she went all limp and spacey, a huge dreamy grin occurred then a big sigh expelled as she melted into a puddle of John love on the kitchen table.

That dreamy look Paul saw all too often whenever he noticed a girl looking at them, their pictures or even album covers.

Lovesickness.

Weird really... didn't know any of them and they were all pickled and gaga over the lot of the lads, even John. Nodding at his swift rescue of the situation he set about finding the rose patterned teacup.

"What record?" Beth questioned, the change in conversation swift.

"What?"

"The records?"

"Oh yea, a few different ones there on the side table, and one of Cilla's new ones"

"Cilla Black, her names Priscilla White isn't it really"

"Yeah. How'd you know that"

"Mum, from Pattie"

"Oh right. Blue cherry plate?"

"Nah nothing goes with that hideous thing. Whoever thought of blue cherries? Ugh"

"Yea it is pretty gross-"

"What's gross?"

"Mum. I. Is that really-"

"You look amazing Jacqul.. Jackie"

"Thanks. Do you think I look ok Bethy? Maybe I should take the boots off, we are inside..."

"No, it looks really gear mum" Beth watched her mum roll her eyes and flick them over Pauls way, he was smiling like he had won the NEMS poll for the fifth year running.

"Ok... if you're sure then"

"I'm sure mum you look pretty neat"

We're really, really sure Jackie" Paul grinned.

Beth watched Paul grinning. If he had grinned like that at her, she would have dumped John off his pedestal and shoved Paul in his place, it was that good... and he did it to mum too. I guess that could be ok Paul coming by for tea, pretty gear I guess. But them doing it- yuck yuckity blah ugh yacky ick. Ralph, vomit. Just- no.

"Put a record on Beth. Try that new Cilla one" Paul leaned back as he stood and watched Beth a moment longer til she was flipping through the records, pulling out a vinyl and angling the needle in place. Then he strolled with casual nonchalance toward Jacqueline on the stairs.

"Is it ok?"

"Stop worrying, you look smoking hot Beth's mum. I can't wait to run my hand up the inside of your tartan skirt Beth's mum. Can I give Beth's mum a kiss"?

'A small fleeting one... and stop saying Beth's mum...."

I'll ignore that, she is Beth's mum, and I rather fancy Beth's mum. I like kiddo and the two of em are a package deal. If I want Beth's mum I have to like her being Beth's mum. Shut up and smile "Oh, Jack I don't think I could ever fleeting anything with you"

"I think that's the most loveliest compliments anyone has said to me"

"Well hang onto your sweater luv cause I'm going to say many lovely wonderful things to you my lady but first where's my lips?"

"On your face silly" Jackie giggled and watched him pull his lips with his fingers, confident smirk breaking free to be enjoyed by the only spectator about- her.

"I'm going to kiss that pretty lip gloss all off your sweet bottom lip, I'm gonna lick it off the top and you're not going to stop me" With two quick heartbeats Paul pressed his lips to hers, strawberry lips and pretty summery light fragrance surrounded him. "You smell divine"

She was certain he uttered a soft yet deep in his throat moan as his tongue delved between her parted lips. He was going to be the undoing of her.

He was undoing the fabric of her mind, strand by strand. Making her forget, making her crave, making her feel so alive she felt like yelling it from the rooftops. Paul's fingers fluttered down by her jaw, stretching under her ear, round into the hair.

"Don't touch the hair"

Whispers got louder as he murmured over her lips "Oh baby, baby I want to pull your hair so bad... you won't know whether it's Thursday or Friday"

"Fri-YAY!" Beth called out from the front room over Cilla who was currently blasting from the speakers.

A whispered exclamation of "Shit!" was heard as Jackie tore her lips off of his moreish ones and ran up the stairs, Paul beaming after her.

"Fri-YAY Beth. Fri-YAY" Shaking his head smirking, he walked back into the front room to see which album Beth seemed more interested in "Aye? You like the cover on that one?"

Taking the girl in, he could see Jacqueline for sure in the youngster features but oft times he caught what must be the fathers doing, her eyes not as crystalline as Jackie's, her nose not quite as fine. She was still a pretty lass and the lads would surely cause Jackie hell as Beth got older but yeah, the father's stamp was visable...

"It's ok, I like to see the band doing something though, not just standing there like statues in a photographer's studio. You know outside in the park, or lying around a room. Natural I guess, being human" Beth turned over the LP and ran a finger down the track list.

Covering his heart, he laughed "I am not human?"

"You know what I mean"

"Yea I do, just kidding with ya kiddo"

Watching Beth read the entire blurb on the back of Cilla's album was enlightening. Didn't really think a kid would bother with a girl's record but what did he know. Wasn't as if he was a girl or knew many to ask that sort of thing. "You read it all then?"

"What... oh the albums. Yea of course. I suppose it's one of mums habits I've just picked up. Did you and John write this one!?" Beth stuck her finger on 'It's For You' "She sang that on the show didn't she. Oh, how silly- your and Johns' show, your songs oops!" Beth's mouth twitched and blew up into a big grin like she had invented smiling.

"You're not silly, and yes we did. She's a friend of ours, used to work at the Cavern. Do you know the Cavern?"

"Oh yeah the one in Liverpool, it sounds pretty grottty though"

"It's not that bad and when you see a good band or singer-"

"You forget where you are..."

"Exactly" With a flick and a spin the album was turned over "Do you listen to every song or just the ones you like?"

"Every one of them firstly. Picking my initial favourites then mum will come home and listen all over again, so there's two. Mum lays on her belly right there, in between both speakers and just listens. Her head on her arms, almost like she's asleep but she isn't cause her foot is usually going a hundred miles an hour tapping or swinging about" Beth looked over the other albums, forgetting about who Paul was for a moment or two "She's a good dancer"

"Who?"

"Mum silly"

"She is?"

"All the dances... rock and roll, the twist, all the hand jives, everything, she's learning some silly one from the magazine but I don't think it's as fast"

"Salsa?"

"I don't know, I had a go at it and mum put Love is Strange on and it was slow as a duck waddling. Didn't like that one"

"It's more mood dancing"

"Mood dancing... o. k... right you are, granddad"

"Like speaking- you can talk slow or fast or cockney or northern or American. All different, something good and bad with all of them but none wrong, none rotten.

"I don't know, Norfolk folk are pretty weirdly spoken"

"Why Norfolk?"

"Where we're from. Granddads all Norfolk farmer and fast talking. Always tripping me up he is"

"Can't say mines any better"

"But you're the Beatles and everything is better With The Beatles"

"You're an extremely wise girl"

"Because I just harped on about the Beatles. A bit egotistical of you isn't it"

"Oh, English class today was it!"

"Ha-ha caught me"

"Spell it!"

"Ok.... Here goessss...... E- G- O- P- A- U- L-I-C-A-L"

Laughter erupted and Paul grabbed Beth to start tickling her, so she pushed and he flew into a chair, she ran behind the couch and hid for the amount of time it took for him to right himself and get to the couch to grab at her, to tickle her again. Jackie walked into a room full of squeals and giggles and squawks.

"What's all this then"

"She said-"

"Paul did-"

"One at a time children!"

"Beth called me egotistical"

"And...?"

"Jacqueline! I can get harpooned from Johns mouth I don't need you at two having a go at me too!"

"I actually..." Beth erupted into giggles as Paul played at frowning at her "I actually spelt the word for him mum. That's all!"

"And how is it spelt?"

"E G-"

"Beth! Stop now or the tickle monster will get you!"

Spitting out the letters as fast as she could "E-G-O-P-A-U-L-I-C-A-L" Beth ran and hid behind her mother, Paul was quickly after her, leaning, trying to reach around an immobile Jackie as she tried to stop herself laughing madly at Paul and Beth having a great giggle.

***

With eyes shut she internally cringed.

Oh, Paul had done a wonderful job of laying out all the cutlery and attempting to gather enough water tumblers for the wine John and Cynthia were bringing. But it was all her plates and the teacups for dinner and beyond that had her cringing at the cackiness of it all- her home, her life.

Like it was some mismatched upside down universe where superstars mixed with common folk and dined off blue cherry dinner plates and rose patterned ones and plain off-white ones. Oh, and a striped one that she had forgotten to take back to the office. Fingers feeling the edges for chips Jackie withdrew inside until Paul noticed.

"Do they hold food?" Drawing her hand away from the second to last plate, clutching her palm in his, against his chest, he repeated himself... because she hadn't heard a word "Do they hold food Jacqueline?" She was so pretty, standing so lost in front of him. Her worry over a few silly plates in direct contrast to the assured person she seemed to be usually. Tilting her chin so she had to look up at him he smiled sweetly, letting sincerity fill his voice "I'm not worried and I doubt the guys will even notice, darlin' "

"But I will" She bit her lip and turned toward the front door, having second thoughts. She couldn't rightly flee her own home, could she?. "Boys don't notice Paul, but girls do, women do"

"And I'm standing here promising you no one will notice because they will be relieved to have home cooking and some sort of normality... Don't look at me like that. Normal is good. I need, no Jack, I crave normal. Everything for us is a whirlwind of blurriness- faces, places, reality"

He wasn't good at this, expressing with true emotion, oh sure he could sell ice to eskimo's and all that jazz but selling dignity to Jackie was a hard task because he could feel it was a sore and somewhat touchy subject. "I love the fact that you a tenacious and strict with your pennies. Nowadays girl's flit and lark about and such, but you, you want more and a few plates are not important to you because bigger things are. Beth is more important and her schooling for one. Tell me I'm wrong"

Shaking her head to clear her mind and answer, she drew her eyes off his hands. So sexy he was and nice too, and wonderful at pulling her back from the brink of her own self-made precipice. It was like he was perfect. Perfect Paul....

"I really, really, want to kiss you, but I won't because any moment now Beth will dash down those stairs"

"Thank-you"

"Thank-you for not kissing you?"

"No, Thank-you for making me remember that meals are more important than what the meal is served on"

"I'm going to kiss you because you're too beautiful not to"

With stew bubbling and stacked plates and teacups at the ready. Jackie let him, his lips so warm and tender, touching her so gently this time. Stealing time that they didn't have before the rest of the princes knocked on her front door and grabbing risky moments before Kate and Beth bound down narrow stairs to let them in. Fingers brushed his cheeks as she stared up into his eyes, into the goodness that he was. A good man, that could capture her heart so easily if he so wanted.

"Jack, I think I would walk over cut glass for you to look at me once more like that" Paul hummed happily as she reluctantly pulled herself away. We're bonding over plates, not over shared interests or good conversation-over plates, not even new plates, old ones at that. I should buy her new set, new everything... no, she'll tell me to shove them up somewhere uncomfortable.

Turning to the counter for salt and pepper and everyone's favourite, including the Queen apparently, HP sauce, Jackie used the opportunity to take a deep breath and let her over heightened senses settle down from all the hullabaloo. Everything would be ok, no one would worry about the silly plates, the dumplings and stew would cover them in homecooked goodness and conversations would cover the rest. She turned back smiling and there was not one shard of cut glass in sight.

A crying baby was the first sign of the invasion, a stampede of dainty feet down the stairs the second. The final sign was a roomful of people peeling off coats and woollen hats and gloves; and making conversation all at once.

Paul took over. He didn't mean to, it just happened. Beth was hopping around like a lunatic, Kate was smiling and focusing on both Pattie and George; and Jacqueline... well Jack was nursing a baby Jules on her hip and jiggling the little fella around making him happy. Squeals burst forth as some kind of Jacqueline magic surrounded the tot.

"He's never taken to a person so fast. See that John?"

"Yeah, usually howling the joint down"

"Nooo, not this little man he's adorable, aren't you" Jackie stood just inside the front room and blew a raspberry on the back of Julian's hand and all Paul could do, as he stood in the doorway across from her, was let the tumbler overflow with red wine.

"Paul look what you're doing son!"

"Arrr sod it!"

"Here use the tea-towel" John passed over the cloth and turned to see what Paul had been staring at. Scarlett of course "You want to make a baby with her already. Bloody hell mate"

"Keep your voice down!"

"Stop ogling Miss Mother Nature then"

"She's just good"

"Just because she's good doesn't mean-"

"Not that kind of good. I mean goodness, sweet and yes- natural"

"Bet she doesn't shave her pits"

"What? No. Yes! John! Stop talking 'bout her"

"She's a natural that girl" Cyn wandered by the two apparent musical geniuses and stood at the stew pot, swirling the ladle in the thick meal she was so looking forward to. Looking beside her she spotted the floured board and remnants of dumpling dough "Oh dumplings too John"

"Marry her- stat"

"I'm not mar- Hey Jackie"

"Hi. He's a cutie, Missus Lennon"

"It's Cyn and he takes after me" John smirked, squishing his face up into an un-cute, unflattering manner.

Beth was trying not to ogle John but it was so darn hard, he just required ogling at. Even when he was making such funny weird faces. Soon she was tapping his arm to gain attention "John, I made dessert"

"Fantastic. Is it chocolate?"

"How'd you guess"

"Because you know I like chocolate, right"

"Ahuh, and oranges"

"Is that a hint, Bethy?"

"Maybeee" Beth opened her mouth to ask Cynthia if she could hold the baby but before she could say a word Julian hung off Jackie's arm to take a grab at the girl himself "Hello there, can I hold him?" Cyn nodded.

"Be careful Beth, don't let go. He's wiggly. Tighter, mind his head" Jackie tittered worriedly, she couldn't recall Beth holding any babies before.

"Let her get on with it Scar. He's got a hard noggin, haven't ya Jules" John tickled Julian under the chin and earned a cheeky grin 'Come on Beth, come sit on the sofa with me bub" John marched off while Paul, Cyn and Jackie stared after him. Beth scurrying after him at his elbow.

"Welllll he's well behaved tonight"

"He's getting dumplings. Could call him anything detrimental and it would slide right off with nary a blink" Cynthia gazed at Jackie letting seconds pass before exclaiming "Oh can I do something? Help?.... Sort the dastardly dumplings for the pot!? I'm Cynthia, Cyn by the way none of these numbskulls will do the proper introductions!"

"Of course!" Offering her hand Cyn smiled and grasped it in hers, they were both immediately taken with the other. Like a sixth sense, a mother's knowing that another woman was on the same wave length. Jackie smiled warmly "Nice to meet you, thanks for coming I know Mister Lennon- John sort of got roped into coming to dinner.... Dumplings are all done though"

Jackie smiled as Paul set the wine back down on the counter, spun, rinsed her burgundy reddened tea-towel, wiped the dumpling dough and flour off the Tupperware mat, rinsed both the mat and towel then marched the damp tea-towel to the laundry. He was so helpful. "Can I keep you" Jackie grinned after him happily.

"I told you Jack. I'll give you all the carrots you'll ever need..."

"Jacqueline!! Muah! I can't believe it's finally Fri- YAY" Pattie caught Jackie from behind and lifted her a few centimetres off the floor, making Jackie squawk in fright!

"Who taught you that?"

"Katie and Bethy"

"You left Kate with George alone?"

"Oh no. Mo is sitting one side, John the other and Kate is on the rug at Georgie's smelly feet- perfect!"

Jackie hugged Pattie to her side as Cyn started laughing about George's smelly feet."Really Pat! Smelly feet?!"

"Well Cyn, saying he has B.O is so yesterday" Pattie stuck her tongue out and took a glass of wine Paul was offering, her face blank though. Not a smirk nor grin trying to escape and she was all the more hilarious because of it. Cyn and Jackie both smacked her arm in unison. "Hey watch the wine, girls! Gee you don't come between me and my wine you know that Cyn, can you explain to Jackie... she is still on her 'L' plates around me" Patties eyes twinkled as she hid behind her tumbler full of wine. Jackie just stood gape mouth at being a classed a 'Learner' driver in Patties world.

"I'll have you know I can read you like a book" Jackie retorted happily.

"Telephone book or Shakespeare?"

"Alice in Wonderland!"

"Hey! Cheeky!" Pattie giggled though.

"I don't know bout you lot but I could eat that entire vat of stew. Hello luv, thanks for the invite... Oh Mo, this is Jacqueline. Jack- Mo, my girlfriend" Richy pushed Paul out of the way and stood stirring what was now classed as a vat of stew. "Ouch hot, h, h, hot!" He even taste tested it.

"You left George, Mo!!"

"Yes ... why....?"

"One word- Kate"

"Oh yes, she did lunge into my seat quite suddenly, was hanging off his every word, or was it his arm... or was it his leg?" Mo laughed and sat at the kitchen table with Cyn as Pattie dashed off into the front room with Mo laughing. Yelling after her "Run Pats!"

It was a feat of sorts, dragging the kitchen table and butting it up against the much shorter coffee table, the side table slid on at the end. The couch pulled closer, Kate, Beth, Jackie and George on pillows on the floor, the over-stuffed chair dragged to one corner, Kitchen chairs adding up the numbers and Julian gurgling happily by the stereo in his makeshift bed. They fit- somehow. Everyone pulled up and currently tucking in. 'Mmmmms' and 'nice' and 'this is fantastic' gracing Jackie's delighted ears. George asking for seconds before he had even eaten half of his firsts...

And the crockery didn't matter, nor the pillows. No, not at all;

Not the old couch nor the funny up and down of all the tables. All that mattered was that people were conversing and interested in each other and laughter filled the air with jokes and napkins flying left and right. Witty banter and normal everyday conversations taking place swinging from person to person. About a shirt they had taken a fancy to or a dress in the window in the high street or what the girls were studying at school. Even how Jackie was getting on with her job as Patties mummy... George got a smack for that one.

"So Beth what do you want for Christmas?" John enquired, the holidays were very nearly upon them and Christmas lists would be well and truly set.

"You" She piped up quickly, rosy blush alighting her face with flames of colour "No! I mean I would like your record!" She could have died a thousand deaths and, with all of her will power, she wished the floor would swallow her whole. "I'm sorry. That was wrong to say"

"Its alright Beth" Cyn leaned over the side of the larger table, she was all over this; Girls loving her husband was part and parcel of the job "Look at me huny" Reaching out she offered her hand for Beth to hold "I don't mind you loving him, he's lovable in his kooky way, isn't he?" Cyn was such a darling. The mothering side of her bloomed forth and, in that moment, Jackie loved her for it, and knew Julian was a very lucky little boy. Beth nodded with a funny smile "Now.. what do you really want for Christmas!?"

And with that Beth had a friend, someone that loved John maybe more than her! "I would really like some records and I'd like a series of books called The little Bush Maid"

"What are they about, darling?"

"Oh, they are set in the Australian countryside. I read so much about Australia when the band went there this year and I thought it was such a wonderful country and there was an, an..."

"An excerpt luv" Jackie supplied quietly.

"Yes, an excerpt about these books in the newspaper... it was just wonderful" Now she was facing Jackie, Cyn forgotten "Do you think I could get them mum?"

"I told you I'd try sweetheart"

"I really want them"

"I know...Not long til Christmas to find out" Jackie smiled as Beth hugged her tightly. Books- it was the girl's quest to read loads of books and these were a few more that Beth desperately wanted on her bookshelf.

Beth presented her dessert creation soon after their discussion on all things Christmas, carefully slicing the fudgy dense cake into slices topping them with a dollop of cream. John crowed about it being wonderful, making her beam.

Picking up a grumpy Julian she carefully rested him on her lap, tickling his tummy, counting his fingers and singing nursery rhymes. Katie made a face and Jules giggled, they sat clapping hands making him squeal with delight. "He's super cute"

"He is kinda nice for a bub" Katie leaned forward as she knelt on the floor by Beth's feet, her chin sitting on Beth's spare knee and a happy baby patting her head. Looking at George was a little hard at the moment because, as the night moved along 'normal', set in.

They were all normal men and women. John sat there with his pant button popped 'cause he ate too many dumplings and George had farted and gotten ribbed by all of them for the stench. Pattie spilt wine on her sleeve and Richy had burped. It was endearing but it was deflating to the massive amount of idolisation the girls had for the lads. As they sat side by side at the makeshift dinner table Beth would roll her eyes with Kate following her lead, bored at the tediously dull adult chatter. Paul said a dad joke and even Jackie had snorted with laughter at how lame it was.

Kate was tired from a full week of  school but hyped from a weeks' worth of waiting and wishing....

Wishing Pattie took ill, wishing Pattie had a flaming great zit on her nose. "I'm bushed and bored stupid"

"Would you look at that"

"What?" Katie grumbled not bothering to lift her head, George was just George.

"Look at my lounge room Kate" Beth whispered.

"I am" Rolling her eyes over the room she exhaled. Paul definitely was sitting too close to Jackie and where was his hand. Oh, who cares... I need to start listening to The Stones or The Animals more, maybe even the Kinks. George was still super-hot but tonight he was George, not fantastic Beatle George, just George.. especially with Pattie hanging all over him. I have no hope.

"Open your eyes and look at The Beatles in our house! I don't care if they are men or boys or rock and roll or whatever. They are still The Beatles, the best band in the whole wide world. And they're right here in my lounge room"

"Your lounge room"

"Yours as well, you live here as much as your own home. Look- there's the boy that sings One, two, three, faw! And there's the boy that almost makes my heart break when he starts to sing This Boy and over there on Maureen's lap.. Maureen's lap Kate! is Ringo... Ring-go Katie! George is whispering secrets in Patties ear too. It's still magical. And look at this little fella fast asleep... John Lennon's baby. You and I did that, we got him to go to sleep"

"He's got my hair in his fist, Beth"

"Let me untangle that mop of yours Katie" John leaned over and smiled at the girls, Beth was not so starry eyed. "I don't hear any random sighs and heart fluttering at all. You're both ruining my ego, you know that"

"Do the button of your pants up like a non-old man and maybe the world will tilt us silly again" Beth grinned naughtily.

"Cheeky... There, you can escape now, Katie"

"Thanks I was afraid I would have to go home to Surrey with you all"

"I think I would have found Beths' mums' sewing scissors before that catastrophe would have eventuated"

"Don't say that John" Cyn whispered as she poked John in the stomach when she sidled up beside him.

"Geez woman! Don't tip toe up behind me and poke me!"

"Are you leaning over the girls like Pisa or actually lifting Julian into his little bed"

"I was contemplating scissors"

"Hmmmm I bet.... Beth, dessert was lovely. Perhaps you would be willing to share the recipe"

Beth smiled at Missus Lennon, she was very nice and kind and listened intently to everything the two of girls had talked to her about. Katie even complimented Julian's outfit to which Cynthia had blushed as she explained that she had seen it herself.

"Oh, sure thing, Missus L. I'll write it out for you"

"Missus L, sounds like Missus Lose-"

"John" Cyn warned quietly.

John righted himself from laying Julian in the soft blankets and launched back into the conversation. "Only Jokin' luv"

"I'm sure you are. Thanks for getting Jules off to sleep ladies. Would you like some tea with us, your mum is just putting the kettle on"

"I might grab a glass of water actually" Kate pushed up off Beth and stretched, her top stretching up off her waist, a smidge of mid drift showing. George smirked and all was right in Kate's world again. Thank goodness for small miracles and her decision to wear a shortish peasant shirt and capri's.

"Oh no, look at that, there's not a skerrick of milk in the fridge, Jack"

"I swear I bought a bottle... There was some there earlier I'm sure of it. Move aside so I can have a real look, Paul"

"As you wish Jacqueline" But he didn't. He only squeezed in beside her and shifted her fingers from the handle of vegetable crisper as she went to pull the drawer open, whispering "No. There. Isn't. Any. Milk. Jack" Standing up and twisting round he marched toward the gang "Jackie and I need to nip out and get some milk, won't be a mo" Clutching his jacket and pushing Jackie's slow arms into hers Paul had Jackie outside her house in around a minute and a half.

"I had milk Paul. Did you hide it!?"

"I may have moved it a smidge"

"Let's go back inside then, find the milk and make tea. Move aside Paul, and let me back in the flat"

"No Jacks lets go buy milk, I want a good fifteen minutes of you for myself. Not too much to ask, is it?"

"You had me most of the day"

"Well yes but that was dessert... this is supper"

"Come on, move away from the door handle"

"As you wish" His shoes scuffed as he made for the path and turned about to look skyward "Look Jack, snowflakes..... Come on luv, a swift walk to the grocer. There and back...please"

It was a beautiful night. Crisp and clear, a hint of snow in the air. Paul might have added the snowflakes for effect but he had her. She loved the first whiffs of snow. The excitement of everything Christmas. Everything white. "Straight there and back?"

"On my Beatle-y honour"

"Is there any such thing?"

"Well we work on a honour code in the group all four in to decide so yeah I guess that is a Beatle-y honour"

"There and back...." Jackie tentatively descended the three steps and took a beaming Pauls' hand.

"There.. wasn't so hard to go for a walk with me, was it?"

"I can't believe I'm leaving three quarters of the Beatles and their associated others, and my daughter, and her friend... and walking into the night with you!"

"Oh, you love it, admit it" Nudging her he squeezed her hand and laced their fingers. Side by side, a whisper and a promise apart, the night air had them huffing puffs of air and rubbing cold cheeks. Catching her lips every now and then as she pouted about leaving the full house, turned her lips up into a brilliant smile.

A smile like she had a thousand secrets, all of them good, all of them gumdrops of wonderful.

"Do you wish for more hours in the day to create or more time to be idle?" She asked randomly as he rubbed her knuckles under his thumb.

"I don't like idle. I like creation and movement and a mind full of music. Idle makes me feel lazy" Jackie pulled him to a halt and watched his eyes sped skate and dance, his whole face lighting with thoughts of the conquests he needed to make "Idle has me drinking one too many scotches and making one too many sandwiches at lunch" He ducked down in front of her "Hop on!" And she did, giggling in his ear as his fingers squeezed her thighs.

"I like silence"

"I like noise"

"Noise?"

"Well music"

"Oh, I like music but I like quiet too"

"Your books"

"Yes.... I can't get Beth those books"

"Beth's books?... oh, the Christmas ones?"

"Hmmm I've been all over. They don't carry that sort of thing. Just some random Australian author, no one super special..."

"Give me the name and the author's details and I'll have Brian or one of the girls do some hunting"

"I couldn't ask them to do that"

"Good because I'll be the one asking wont I!" Then he ran, making her squeal in his ear. A happy chime not too loud, just enough for his face to break into a big grin and pretend to drop her for more 'noise'.

"You're so nice to me; and Beth had fun this afternoon"

"She's a nice girl, you've done good with her"

"Yes well, look out.... All the teenage melodrama to come" With fingers gentle she let a hand wander off to skim his hair line and place a little kiss right there on his neck, his skin quivered. She wasn't sure if it was from the cold or her so she did it again just to experiment "Are you ticklish?"

"I know you are"

"I asked if you were, you quivered... or is it from the cold?"

"No, it's you Jacqueline. I can't quite put a finger on it but you have a way of tugging at my senses even when you are ignoring me"

....

"I'll kill 'im"

"Settle down. It's sweet" Cyn sat at the table watching John mutter about the milk, everyone else sat about watching telly in the front room.

"It's deceit and he know's it"

"He wanted a minute alone with her... Keep your voice down, the girls don't know do they?"

"What? That Macca is thirsty for her mumma - no. Should break the news to her though. Teach the horny one a lesson"

"Give me the milk. Oh, also while I'm thinking of it... I was contemplating asking Beth to baby sit next weekend. When I go to the fete with mum"

"Are you mad, she'd likely hijack my jock drawer!"

"Don't be a ninny, she's harmless and I've been wanting someone younger to play with him."

"I guess so but if I can't find my red jocks come Monday watch out"

"I'll buy you a new pair"

"No- nope, sacred they are. Been through a lot with those. Hamburg, Scotland, the Americas..."

"Drink your tea"

"Bloody Macca hiding the milk in the vege keeper so he can go nooki- oh! Hey pumpkin, wanna baby sit Jules on the weekend?"

...

"I didn't ignore you" She whispered in his ear, making his skin quiver under her lips once more, growing bolder she lovingly ran the back of her hand down his cheek, his response had her heart melting. His head tilted and he moved into her like they belonged. Like he really felt a connection. But it was silly to jump to conclusions about belonging and connecting on a deeper level, this here was lust and want. She was flattered by all the attention and that was another thing, the attention.

Like Christmas it had arrived but it was but once a year.

When it arrived it was the most amazing thing and you wanted it to never end... But it did.

"A pack of Camel mids, the pint of milk and a pack of crisps, ta mate"

Gathering up the paper bag full of items, cradling it in one arm gathering Jackie close, eating crisps, Jackie feeding Paul because he was being lazy and wanted to keep her near. Wanting the contact, the womanly press of her warmth. Her. Jacqueline was relaxed and happily pressed a pile of crisps between Pauls lips with a naughty smile. She giggled as the Beatle began eating them like a disgusting dinosaur. She eventually ran ahead a few metres trying to escape disgustingly salty dinosaur kisses.

Then she stood stock still and let Paul approach.

The letterbox near, the flats front gate a few metres beyond.

Which meant...

No more quiet, no more being alone and suddenly Paul was wanting to have the last twenty or so minutes all over again. Like kids sagging off school, like teens slipping out for a snog, like adults dating...

Running fingers through her hair, a hand snaking lower, pulling the beautiful woman close. Could do this again, and perhaps, again. Perhaps a day, a night, a weekend too. "Movies, next week sometime. You, me, wine, dinner... would you come out with me?"

With Jackie it was a gamble, which was strange now. Unaccustomed to a woman taking minutes to decide, he was.

Usually it was a case of them pulling me by the trousers into a flat, not kicking me out.

But it's nice to be made to stress over an answer, made to sweat on the yes, or no. Because it's real that. Not some sort of play at being with a Beatle but truth and honesty because 'you want to be there.'

You want to be with the other person 'cause it matters, because-

"I think that would be lovely"

"Yeah?"

"Yes Paul, I would love to go to the movies with you" Swinging an arm over his shoulder she drew him close.

Kissing him softly with sweet lips, she left a hint of a promise imprinted on his cheek.

Pulling back slightly watching his eyes clear, watching him grin almost drunkenly....

Rather addictive this.

He gazes at me like I'm a much-anticipated prize. Like I hold all the cards. Like I'm the one to take him forward in matters of us. His lips were near blue as I kissed him a 'yes' once more, his eyes trained on mine as if I might change my mind.

I guess it is a different thing for him. A girl that doesn't tip flat on her back the second he appears, although there was a lot of tipping earlier today.

Girls saying eager yeses before he even asks the question. I was holding him to me without any large or yearnful hope for tomorrows, our tomorrows. Any tomorrows.

Just taking today's, I was.

A mite selfish and greedy if I was with anyone else, but with Paul.... well I'm sure he's seen it all.

Seen women fall at his feet, seen boobs thrust forward and flesh pressed without warning, or invitation.

Then he would be moving along, another day, another pair of lips... And he'd rightly like it too, like any hot-blooded male would, like any young man with the looks of a handsome cherub, body so nice, thighs so- Lets not get into his thighs right now shall we! Shaking my head with a blush, Paul began smirking and it was all I could do to not grab his hand and run away.

Run away with him, tie him up, keep him for my own... for all eternity.

*

"Right who wants tea!?"

"Put that in the fridge you maniac, we found the milk, drank the tea.... See ya Scar, thanks for dinner, Cyn got Beth to bed and Georgie took his life in his hands and took Kate home. Pattie apparently wanted handcuffs but I said she wasn't to steal the pink ones from your bedside"

As John finished up his monologue Cyn walked through with a peaceful babe, silent and pliable in her arms. Jules was deep in slumber "Oh John leave them be." Jackie stepped closer and pressed lips to Jules forehead.

"Now luv, I've tee'd up Beth for a job of babysitting" Cyn held up her hand to stop Jackie butting in "I need a good girl to watch him. And yes Jackie I know she hasn't done it before but it's alright because I'm having her come early Sunday morning-"

"Not too early I hope, I don't want a party in me bed"

"Shut up John geez. Anyway, where was I? Oh yes, so I'll be there til two, lord knows whether the big kid will be out of bed by then.... Anyway, I'm there to show her all the ropes and then I'll be about five mile up the road. Alright!? Right. Good- sorted"

"Ok.. I guess... If you're absolutely sure"

"I'm sure. She has the touch luv, let her get some pocket money for Christmas, she has lots planned!"

"Don't pay her, Missu-" Jackie halted,  Cyn was glaring with a smirk. Jackie corrected herself "Cynthia" Cyn nodded happily.

"Yea don't pay her" John interrupted.

"John I'm giving her a few quid"

"And so it begins. Scar can I borrow five pound"

"Come on, let's get this one home. Night luv, thanks for the wonderful evening"

"Night!... Goodnight John.." Carefully hugging Cyn Jackie turned her attention to John who hovered by Paul in the little entry.

"So that was a no to the fiver then?"

"Yes! Now...goodnight" Kissing his cheek like he was a errant school boy, Jackie sent him on his way. Paul wrapped his scarf back around his own neck. "You're going too..."

"You actually sound disappointed Jacqueline"

"Well I am..."

"We have recording and a show and rehearsals in between tomorrow. I've got to get some shut eye luv" Watching her pout was indeed lovely "We have Sunday..."

"Oh yes! We do!"

"You sure you want to go out with me?"

"Are you wanting me to back out now?" Jackie smiled as she watched Paul fidget with his car keys, he paused and glanced up, studying her.

"I want you to be sure"

"I am sure Paul"

"Good enough for me.. give us a right good snog on the front stoop and I'll shove off then"

Jackie reached into his coat for the gloves he didn't bother wearing earlier, slipping them on to each of his wonderful hands, tucking his scarf in, pulling his collar up. He caught her wrist and began kissing her palm, then was cradling her hand between his two gloved ones, she touched his chin wistfully, thinking this was a wonderful dream. "Can I call you? Will Beth question you if I do?"

"Call. You're a polite person, thanking me for dinner..."

"Oh aye and sorting out my weekend. You sneaky lass"

"Only for you"

"That's my girl"

My girl, I was someone's girl. I was a woman touching a man, and with his lips seeking mine, I tumbled into his warm embrace dragging him closer, wishing all the feelings and hopes would plunge me into more of this, more of him.

Way more of him...