19th October 1964

"Do you think the lads will dob on us to mum?" Beth held her hand out for a stick of gum, of which Kate gracefully laid the slip of silver foil in her hand. It was Tuesday, a few days after the night to end all nights. The night the Beatles took over her 'ouse. Fri-YaY... and both girls finally, finally, had nothing more to say on the subject.

Every utterance, every single eye movement that lingered in their general direction, every touch of cutlery, crockery, furniture... They had dissected and squabbled over it all. Any subtle meanings to eyes levelled upon them, any words that were directed toward them; analysed like bugs under the microscope - Oh Beatles, how fitting!

Kate had down played it but after George had taken HER home she got all gooey goose-bumpy and jittery about the night. The night with The Beatles at the dinner table.

She wasn't keen on Beth going to the Lennon's and babysitting though.

No, that wasn't fair, not that she wanted to mind the kid but come on, it's the Lennon's grand 'ouse in Weybridge. Fancy, wonderful, and full of Beatley goodness.

"Paul will dob for sure"

"What? Why? What makes you say that...."

"Oh Bethy, Bethy, Bethy my innocent childlike compani-"

"I am not a child Kate!"

"You know what I mean"

"Take it back!"

"Grrr alright. Bethy, my best friend.... Better?

"Much"

"Thank goodness" Kate popped her gum and made a show of poking her tongue out. She began chewing with gusto before Beth could conjure up a disgusted face. "Paul was loitering by your mum"

"Loitering... like a drunk loiters by the pub?"

"I guess that is a suitable simile similarity" Kate began laughing hysterically "You do realise you just called your mum a pub AND Macca a drunkard!" Kate wiped a mock stray tear of glee from her eye "Oh Beth you crack me up sometimes"

"He was there early..."

"Seeeeeee"

"But it's mum............... Nah you're dreaming it all. He's just the do-gooder Beatle, he was fixing the crockery all afternoon"

"True love that is, fiddling with your mother's utensils!"

"Kate......." The whine emitted into a wail like cry as Beth caught up to her friend who was metres ahead by now.

It wasn't that her mum couldn't be with a fella it was just all the bits it involved. All the kissing bits and touchy-feely bits... The corny flowers and chocolates like the fellas temp the women with in romance films. Oh! and the bed stuff ughhhhhhh yuck, sickening. "She's not date material"

"What? Not up to Paul's scratch and tickle. Not to Paulie's fancy. Not a Paulffair, not a Wink and Wank, not a-"

"Kate!!! Shush!"

"Come on then, be serious!"

"You be cereal first"

"Ok Cornflakes"

"Weet-bix haha. Look I want her to be happy-"

"No you don't"

"I do!"

"Come on.... If Paul McCartney wanted your mum to go out with him or any other blighter wanted to wine and dine her- you would be such a sour puss"

"No, I wouldn't" Beth whispered almost to herself. It wasn't that she wanted her mum to be lonely, it was that it was all so foreign to her.

It was like one of those weird looking foreign French cars with three wheels turning up, weird. Like people eating pumpkin 'which is cow food in winter!?!' pies- weird or opening Christmas presents on Christmas Eve- weird. It wasn't normal.

It wasn't Beth and Jacqueline against the world. It was Jacqueline and whoever his name is instead. And maybe, maybe, Beth somewhere in the background. She would be forgotten and left behind while her mother enjoyed a man's company and whatever other disgusting things he did with her.

"Ok well.. you need to prove me wrong then. You need to let her date a man and be happy, really happy for her"

"'ello girls, you know it's school time, yeah?" His car had taken the turn into the gateway smartly, pulling up with a squeal and putrid smoke. He wanted the place to himself. Well, for five lousy minutes anyway. And Beth was stood there pulling faces as he zipped past, not pulling faces at him, no at Kate, thank goodness. So Beth, amongst all the others, had his attention from the get go. Sort of like her mum.

"Well we were going but we wanted to see the most delish Beatle there was. So here we are" Kate waved jazzy hands out to her side posing as Beth bit her lip.

Did he have a thing for her mum?

Nah, not a hope in hades did her mum have of snaring Paul McCartney, he was brill but his usual choice in ladies was somewhat dull. Well all the icing was bright- the face, the legs, the body. It was the mind that was dull- a giggly yes girl bubbling over with effervescence til she was empty of fizz and plainly water for all to see.

Mum's not dull is she? Her icing is kinda ok for a mum, I guess...

"But Johns not here!" Beth pushed the words out slowly and it felt like absolutely minutes after actually realising what Kate had said. A lazy eye perused Pauls get up. Grey and white turtleneck under a slate grey duffle coat and black slacks, boots blotched damp from the snow, his watch peaking out from his sleeve. He was the man about town, no tie but very hip and sharp. She blushed royally... it was still Beatle Paul, he turned that dastardly darling eye on her, the eyebrow kicking up slightly in question. "I mean you're ok but the delishiest one is J- I'll just shut right up now"

"Sorry I'm not delish John, Bethy" He grinned cheekily at the kiddo.

Wonder why she likes him then? Strong personality Len has, contrasting with Beth here. You would think she'd like Ringo better or Georgie boy, although Kate would put a cods-wash on that particular choice. Maybe it's a daddy thing, maybe it's what her dad was like. Who would Jackie let in anyhow? That said, what sort of numbskull bloke would let her get away.

"Paul can you sign this please?" Gertie bellowed like the cow she was. Kate pretended to shove her from behind making Beth snicker as she watched on.

"Only the one Gertie... Pen. Ta. Oh ...Sorry bout it only being moi but the lads' most likely tucked up in bed still Bethy" Cocking his head he rememebered there was hasty minutes ticking by "Aren't you lot supposed to be walking through the school gates right about now?"

"Well I just wanted to say hello to mister suave" Kate jostled between the other girls and Gerties pen went flying through the air. Gertie immediately chasing after it, down toward the gutter "Guess we'll just say hi to you instead- Hi!" Sarcastic Katie reared her lovely head, grinning widely as Paul tugged his lower lip.

"Ok then. Thanks for the non-compliment"

"I love you Paul"

"Thanks Gertie. Now... I won't say nought bout you being here if you scatter now. You lot too- school and all that" Tossing a badge at each of the gaggle of girls who were assembled before him, it was a scene reminiscent of a wagon train semi-circle of the wild frontier. As they stood oohing and ahhing over the new badges he escaped, making for the stairs and warmth of a three-bar heater in the cafeteria.

"Told ya he wouldn't dob"

"No... you sort of said he didn't have a liking for your mother's beer on tap"

"Gee you are sooooo gross"

"I know but you love me!" Clutching her heart Kate faked a swoon and the two walked out of the studios gates to start the dreaded speed walk all the way to school, socking shoulders and shoving playfully the girls almost trotted down the familiar footpaths all the way to school. Nah not really.... they meandered from the corner, because they both had the same boring classes this morning....

"Of course I love you but the prickly question is ..... How do we get out of gym class?"

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

"So, big date coming up. What ya doing? Spreading and begging or pouting and whipping" Patties eyes enlarged comically as Jackie spluttered and guffawed her tea at the question.

"Oh my god Pattie you are terrible!" Fingers were swiping tea stained lips and Jackie cringed and looked for pale brown splodges on her own cream blouse "Gee look at that!" One big blob centre stage saw Pattie lunge for tissues and the glass of water. Sloshing it everywhere, Pattie attempted to help "Give me that. Like an elephant you are"

"Hey! Watch it! Model here- wary of weight constantly I am"

"Please.. you eat more that George"

"I have to keep up or there'd be nothing left and I'd starve"

"I saw you with the dumplings"

"Oh, come on...they were good! And I had to compete with all of them- George, Richy, John. Not Paul he was too busy clutching and rubbing your inner thigh if my memory serves me correct"

"Was not"

"Was too!"

All squabbles about Pauls hands wandering up and down Jackie's thighs ceased abruptly as Gary strolled into the small room that Jacqueline and Pattie had claimed as their own.

"Hey there ladies"

"Hi Gary. What's on this week. More stockings, or crisps. I need new eyeliner- any makeup ads in the diary?"

"Perfume- no make-up. Sorry Pattie."

"Bummer"

"Oh, and they might want to run you through that telly ad for Aston Martin Motors" She's got a zit coming- above her left eye on her forehead, hopefully it'll deflate by Wednesday.... "Arrr Jackie, I was wondering if you had considered doing some more photographs... Proper like this time"

"So none clicked while I'm not looking then" Jackie clutched a makeup brush and wondered if she should stomp her foot or something equally childish to get her point across that she didn't quite like have photos taken without her express permission.

"No. All above board and on the books"

"I told you- "Jackie didn't know what to do with him. He was so persistent and last time it was fifty quid.....

"You told me no. I know, I know. Can't knock a fellow for trying, Jacqueline"

Golly is his head shiny today, has he put Vaseline on it... ugh. Paul has hair, lovely longish hair and holding it, holding him with it, oh my goodness. Grasping Paul.... Concentrate! Oh boy is it hot in here?!  "Is it warm today?"

Patties staring. I wish I could fan my face, it's aflame I just know it. Concentrate..  "Hmmm yes well... The fifty quid was a nice surprise but please, never do that again"

"I promise.. if I can take you to dinner"

Geezus what am I twenty-eight and suddenly men are beating down my door.

This is fabulous! Holey Moley, any more and I'll have my own harem. Do women have harems? Men do, women better be able to have harems too, not fair if they can't. Would I have to service them all... ugh. Just the one then Jackie... yes luv, don't be greedy! "Nope, sorry"

"One meal and I'll never take a random pic of your legs again"

"So what you are saying is... If I don't go to dinner, you will continue invading my privacy- lovely"

"Come on luv. One lousy roast of the day"

"With Pattie"

"Alone"

"Sorry, no can do"

"With Pattie then"

"Leave me out of it. I don't even like roast"

"Settled- you and me Jacqueline"

"No, I can't. Not at the moment Gary"

Not at the moment! Not at the moment?! You don't think Paul is longer than the moment!? Oh I know he can last longer than a moment... A... Lot... Longer... than ..a ... Moment. Is it hot out? Bloody hell I'm hot and it's almost winter.

"Why? Got a lover hidden somewhere in Maida Vale?" He laughed teasingly as he spoke but the sudden look of fear of discovery on Jackie's face told him there was indeed someone in the picture.

"Do I know him?" Was questioned slowly. He'd been patient, all this time. Slow and steady- don't scare the bird, don't make her run off. Just slow and no pushing her, well push her a bit... Now she's got some fella- brilliant.

"Arrr, no, I don't think so. No." Jackie turned to busy herself with the diary.

A frown adorned his face as he walked off to the lunch room with not so much as a boo.

"Way to go Jacqueline. He'll show off every one of my pimples and blemishes in the new photos now" Clutching her robe as she skirted Jackie to go into the bathroom, Pattie, for Jackie's singular enjoyment, rolled her eyes heaven ward as she passed.

Poking a tongue in Patties general direction, back; Jackie sat on the corner of the desk, fiddling with the paperwork, mumbling about Patties imaginary acne problem. She hadn't a spot anywhere but that never stopped her rabbiting on about blemishes.

"What did you say!?!"

"Pattie!!! Way to sneak up on someone!"

"You said I was vain" Pattie whined.

"No, I didn't... I said all this is in vain"

"Oh"

"Just.... I like Paul of course, but is Paul..... you know.......I mean is he you know..."

"Using you like a doggy poop bag"

"I was thinking it was more along the lines of having a good time for a short time. Poop bag Pattie?! Gee"

"Paul is ummm..." Pattie tapped her chin looking for the right word. There wasn't any really right way of describing Paul. Paul was Paul. Having a grand time all over the world he was and probably the others were too. Ugh, George better be keeping it in his pants or I'll chop it off with a meat cleaver and feed it to a starving sausage dog.

"I'm waiting Pats"

"Paul is having fun"

"Wow- Great, thanks"

"And you are too"

"Got me there. His fun is pretty superrrrr"

"Too much information Jackie" With a grin Pattie popped a mint in her mouth and continued "Paul likes you, he talks to Georgie bout you and he usually... usually tosses women aside like the morning paper.... After he cuts all the Beatle articles out of course"

"So, what you're saying is.. I'm like on the back of a Beatles article he hasn't had a bad review on."

"No- Yes- I don't know. I'm not doing those in-allergic thingys"

"Analogys?"

"Now that just sounds like a bum issue"

Jackie cackled loudly as she joined Pattie looking through the new dresses hung on the railing by the window. Pattie was no better at keeping a straight face, she had a severe case of the giggles too.

"My god Pattie you are such a riot"

"I'm not a thousand people fat!....." Hands blessed hips and Pattie turned to face her friend slash assistant "Jackie - build me up! You're my assistant. I demand flattery and excess praise"

"Yes princess"

"That's better" With a dress over one arm, Pattie patted Jackie on the head like she was an obedient puppy.

"Now are you going somewhere on this date!?"

Who with? Gary?"

"No Paulie, you dummy. On the weekend. While the kids' away.... Jackie gets to play!" Squiggly fingers rose in the air to make her point, about Jackie getting the point......

"I'm not sure about her going to the Lennon's..."

"Geez you're a party pooper. Look, John will likely snore all day with the drapes drawn in his sunroom. Then he'll wake up, take a wizz and on the way back he'll walk past Beth, tell her and Julian to shush, fall on his sofa and go back to sleep for another three hours. I guarantee Cynthia will be home before that man even begins to look like a human being"

"Really!?!"

"Really" The nail file was plucked from the manicure set and Pattie proceeded to file.

"All day!?! Does Paul do that?"

"Not when he has you around. Any-way he might be in bed but not much sleeping will be done, if you catch my drift. Wink, wink, nudge, shove and all that" Great big over blown winks were bestowed on Jacqueline as she sat watching Pattie poking the nail file in a seam of the dress she had slipped on moments prior.

"Leave go of the hem Pats! Let me look" With deft fingers Jackie tugged the excess thread that must have collected there when the piece had been sewn. "There- sorted" Without a thought Jackie continued on, fingers checking the rest of the hem, never glancing up to answer Patties wink and nudge, nudge.

"....Haven't done it in a bed yet" Slapping a hand over her ginormous mouth, Jackie's eyes bulged from what she had admitted to Pattie. Flipping heck never in a bed!

"Holey Moley really! Wait til I tell Georgie, he's going to flip!" The hem ripped from Jackie's fingers. Hair swinging wildly, Pattie rushed about the room collecting her coat, shoes and purse.

"Where do you think you're going then?!"

"Home! ..... Or the studio!"

"Pattie! Don't you dare breath a word of that!"

"I know, I know. I wouldn't dare"

"Liar!"

"Oh Jacks, why do you doubt me so. I just need to see Georgie and tell him what's for dinner that's all."

"You're going out to the Indian place in Mayfair- George called.. remember"

"Oh ... yea... well.. I .. just have to see him. Tell him I love him. Just in case he forgets or something. Brain like a sieve that one"

"I'll tell him you said that!"

"No don't! He doesn't like me poking fun at his forgetfulness"

"Don't tell 'bout the bed thingy then!"

"Awwww but it's sooooo juicy!"

"Pattie remember- brain like a sieve"

"Oh bum. You don't play fair"

"Oh come on, you were going to rat me out!"

"But it's fun Jack! Especially how you're all uptight and that. And, bloody nora, you haven't even done it in a bed... in the conventional manner... And this is Paul we're talking about!! He's all for conventional so I've heard"

"I am not uptight!"

"You 'kind of' are"

"Am not! I'm cautious, that's all and I do not not want to hear what you have heard about Pauls conventional practices thank-you very much!"

"So just to be clear...." Pattie tugged on her pale brown fur and proceeded to slip her hands in a set of black gloves "Just to be clear... you have done it.. but not in a bed"

"Go!" Jackie grimaced and pointed at the door. "This conversation is finished!"

Pouting and looking at the linoleum Pattie scurried out the door and, Jackie assumed, down the hall to exit the building.

But no.

As Jackie breathed a sigh of relief at Patties departing form and started to think about Patties big mouth telling all and sundry about what she and Paul had been up to, Pattie returned.

That face. That face that launched a thousand crisp packets; And those teeth that made every girl in the world want to have a slight gap at the front. And, not to forget to mention, every girl wanted to boot her off the train and replace her as the school girl in A Hard Days Night.. peered around the door and smiled.... A somewhat smirky, teasing smile, and opened her mouth once more....

"Now Jackie, I don't want to get all the facts round the wrong way. Arse about face and all that...." Pattie paused for effect "Was it arse about face!?!"

"Patricia Boyd- Rude!" Jacqueline yelled as she shot up and tore through the halls after a screaming and manically laughing model.

********

18th Oct 1964 late evening.

The studio take broke down once again, I Feel Fine disintegrating into chaos as the night drifted toward the midnight hour. John straying from chords, bored and giggly "I'm playing baby. I know... I can't stop laughing because I can see them two. I'm not looking at you" His glasses came off and he rubbed his eyes.

"You were" Tipping ash off his cigarette Paul tuned the bass, ever the perfectionist, but he smiled.

"It's just going to get funnier and funnier as the evening goes on. It's eleven o'clock, you know"

"Let's just try this once more and if it's the last one that's hard lines" Flipping the strap over his head Paul settled in to concentrate and get the bloody song finished. "Let's try the hand slaps again I liked that, Rings. What ya think Len?"

"Right on, slap them appendages Richard so I can go nigh nighs. George, put the bloody milk arrowroot down"

"I'm hungry alrigh, been hours it has"

"O.K. and a one and a two and a-"

"Hold on. Why are you counting in?"

"Cause you can't get above three"

Nasty wack, nasty. Haven't been to Scars this week then Paulie? Getting a bit testical there aren't you"

"Testy, you nounce"

"Same thing Paul"

"Hurry up I was going to call her tonight, and it's gone eleven" I don't know why I don't just turn up on her doorstep. Although, it is Jack and she has a lass that could scream the whole of this side of Hyde Park down.

"I'll be seeing Scar on Sundee" John preened. Baiting McCartney was always a laff.

"Bugger off, I'll be bringing them out you clod"

"Oh"

"Yea and I'll be leaving the girls there....."

"You can't... Not Scar... she'll eat me alive, she will. Bloody scary bird that one"

"Not Scar- I mean Jackie... I'm leaving...... The girls..... Beth and -"

"Do not even say the other one's name. She isn't is she? I'll have to get Mal to stand guard over me jock drawer and the wine cabinet all day"

"You don't have wine!" George pegged a smidge of arrowroot biscuit at John. Always nice them, in the evening with a cuppa. Pattie doesn't steal 'alf either, not good on the hips apparently.

"Do too"

"You 'ave scotch and gin and sherry when you're missing your Aunt Mimi. But you don't 'ave wine"

"Do too George. Cyns been drinking it like tea lately. At least she sleeps well, not bothering me to wake up either.... Should I be concerned chaps....?!"

"Nah, she probably likes the peace and quiet with you snoring" Grinning evilly George likened winding up John to a big Jack in the Box, a scary Jack in the Box but fun. Especially when the fireworks erupted from his 'ead. "It wouldn't be peace and quiet if you were snoring though. Remember in Hamburg Paul.... I though it was a train pulling in-"

"Alright that's enough. I'm off! I can get annoying asides about me snoring from Cyn, don't need you buggers dredging it up from the depths of time as well" Guitar packed, coat on, John lit a smoke and dourly glared at Paul writing more song lyrics out on an envelope "Come on Macca, give us a lift"

"I'm not taking you all the way out there!"

"George? Give us a lift"

"I suppose... but no knocking the car out of gear like last time" George glanced about for his other packet of bikkies, soon finding them well away from his little spot on the carpet. They sat perched on the snare drum... bloody Richy.

"I was trying to get in the back for a kip"

"We were 5 mile from your house John"

"So"

"Richie, you hop in the front and then sleeping snorey 'ere can 'ave the back seat"

"Watch it kid.. Hey Paul! Come on, give it a rest would ya!"

"Just a minute.... you go.... I'll be fine" Paul waved his cigarette absentmindedly, only half listening to John and the lads plans.

"I know you will be fine, but will I when you come up with six new songs in one evening?"

"You'll be 'right, I won't do no more than three"

"Oh, that's so much more comforting... go 'ome would ya! Go see ya birdy" Leaning in, because it was hard not to succumb to temptation, John read some of the lines.

They were good, a little bland but when they got their heads together it would spark and sizzle most likely. "If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is, because everything would be what it isn't. And contrary wise, what is, it wouldn't be. And what it wouldn't be, it would.... You see?" John grinned at his quote. His valiant attempt to get Pauls mind off the envelope and lyrics for a good few seconds.

"Yeah, yeah see ya's. Off with you and your Alice in Wonderland shite, John"

"It's not shite, it's quotes to stop your mind going where it will go- Oh! I like that. That's mine you lot! What'd I say?.......................................................Oh yeah where the mind will go - Mine! All mine!!" Manical laughter ensued as John whooped it up towards the double doors leading to the hall "Mine! All Mine! I tell you! ... Richy if you don't get that drumstick of yours out of my derriere I will flatten ya la'"

"Tar-ah wack..." Glancing back towards Paul from the empty swing of recently vacated doors George attempted to get a response...

He's off with the fairies this one. Why can't I have a couple more tunes crank out of me arse like he does out of his little finger.... Bikkies - check. Guitar - check. "Paul... wakey wakey.... tar-ah..."

Fingers racing like seconds ticking was the best way to let the words flow.

Glancing up at the ceiling, a few more words dropped from the heavens onto the page as he let the pen swirl. "Yeah what? Oh right... cheerio George"

******

It's nice this, when it's dark out. Silence, no cars nor buses trundling the streets. It's been raining, not much though.

I should of taken off when the others did but when you have to write you have to write. John knows of course. He can push and prod me all he likes but he's the same. Can't believe out of all those lads and all those bands we got in this one together though. Is it too late to call her? Would she be happy or upset? ... I think happy. And I'll try playing that first verse down the line to her, that'll perk her up quick smart....

The exhaust from the car swirled as the engine idled, the low temp and the warmth emitting jolting and crashing gently together making the vision of gaseous smoke twirl like a dancer spinning. As it begins meandering skywards he sits dumbly, half asleep, watching in rear-view mirror.

The streets slip by, the wet tarmac shiny bright as the headlights bounce and dip as the car steers toward the cold empty flat.

... Sat there, in the now warm motor, clutching the envelope, words on both sides. He cant help but lean forward, looking upwards at the buildings dark shadowy façade.

I'm all alone. Single... Silence is whipping my face rotten tonight. But it's good- yeah. Centre of London, off to the clubs, loud pumping music and conversation and drinks with mates, new friends and old. Galleries, musicals, concerts and plays, open doors all around me. Movement, sound, chaos. A girl when I want one, a huge bed to myself when I don't.

Who needs a warm bed every night anyway, not me. No way. Imagine the nagging, wondering where I was... what I did. Nope, silence and freedom is the way to go. Jackie though.... she makes home look nice, super actually. Can just see her waiting up late, in her nightie, pillows plumped at her back... placing her book on the bedside and holding fingers out for me to grasp. Sweet loving given freely and meaning everything, everything. And Beth, would be asking me to take her to some place or other, acting like a dad.... Bloody hell, I am tired.

The car door lock clicked, jiggling the handle just to be sure. Facing the stairs, bloody hell, I should just camp on the first-floor landing. No one would mind, no one would care. The awaiting lyrics fled with the silence. Funny that, need all them blighters mucking about, annoying the hell out of me to create.

John was wrong.... It was only one and a half tonight. Maybe three will pop out tomorrow.

Damn fridge is empty, a whiff of the milk and I scull. Nothing better than milk. Get a glass ya lazy knob, why bother. I need more milk, wouldn't half mind a sandie. No bread. No crackers, just great. That's just great.

Jacqueline.

Now Jacqueline would have a load of crackers, a pint of milk, well if Beth didn't have too much tea. Funny girl that, half milk in the tea. Jackie would sort me right proper. Nah that's all just a fancy, not the life for me... not now with all this going on.

Be ruddy good though...one day.

"Madia Vale 496. Gordon residence"

" 'ello darling"

Her lips stretched ever so wide. Paul was calling. He had said he would and even though she knew in her heart it might be a few days she had sat up super late every night to wait for the jangly ring to sound. Pattie had been so wicked, teasing her for yawning the days away. She hadn't even had a sleep over with him and he had her yawning like a bear ready for hibernation. Daydreaming too, thinking of all the things he had done to her, with her, in her.

Oh lord his body was so fine, so, so fine....

"Paul" She breathed... letting out the breath she seemed to have held since Friday. "What time is it?"

"About midnight, you're not sore with me are you?"

"About you waking me at midnight- no. I've been waiting every night for you to call" Oh she had..... And even deep down she knew she shouldn't harbour big dreams, her heart most certainly did. Her heart stretched and filled to encompass so many tantalising wonderful thoughts of tomorrows...

She was a goner.

If he stopped right this minute, never called again, she was gone. Her heart would surely break she believed. Because he had knocked and smiled and anything more was icing on her lonely cake.

"Oh really!"

"Yes. Don't get all cocky will you" To keep up with his hurricane she had to latch on and be sure of herself. Give of herself the way she would if she was just a normal girl, a woman wanting his attention. Give him something to yearn for. Give him something worth chasing.

"But this is big, this. Jacqueline might like me"

"Of course, I like you. There's not much not to like"

"Don't build me up too much luv, I might fall off that pedestal and not recover. I like you too- a lot. I wrote you a song"

"You like me- Wait! What! You wrote me a song!!"

Wait just a minute.

A song, he wrote me a bloody song!!

ME!

"Ahuh"

Oh lordy, get out of town!

"Get out of town!"

"I did you know, you were on my mind and, well I hope it's ok, It's a bit rough round the edges and really early like, but you never know... could be a winner"

"Everything you boys do, turns to gold" It was ever so true, she gazed at the ceiling, yes through the splodges on the ceiling, her minds eye traveled into Beths' room. Trailing all over the posters and newspaper cutting sticky taped and pinned to the walls with thumbtacks. These men, were everywhere.

"I'm blushing pink again"

Jackie yawned and proceeded to tug the armchair chair a mite closer to the telephone and sat with feet tucked under her, just waiting for him to say something, anything. He was so clever writing songs and singing and she was witnessing something so special, someone so special sharing his creation this very minute. She yawned again.

"I heard that"

"Me- yawning...?" She faked a yawn once more and giggled down the line, making Paul respond in kind. His deep contented hum then deep laugh immediately afterwards so sublimely intoxicating.

"I wish I was yawning in your bed"

Oh my, yes please. Hang on, capitals and bold and underlined lettering required here .........

YES PLEASE!!!!!!

"I wish we could too. One day, that would be very nice wouldn't it"

"It would strike one item off my rather large bucket list of things to do with you, Jackie"

"In a bed....."

"Sheets and pillows and you- bloody bliss. Not that I didn't mind the staircase. A bed would be super"

Oh bliss, was him in her bed and his hands running all over... all over.

Insides tingling at the thought, just the thought of him. Oh bliss on a stick he is. But Beth... Beth. How would she react? Would she be happy or weirded out or something along the lines of jealous.... Like Paul was a piece of John. Would she yell and sulk and pout all over, would she run away.... I can't think of that, I mustn't. Pattie, bless her tinkering heart, is absolutely one hundred percent right. I should be allowed this, allowed to be a woman, allowed to kiss and touch and hug Paul all night long...

"You know we can't here... because of Beth right"

"Right"

"But maybe Sunday when she goes to the Lennons.... Maybe..."

Maybe I can have him.

Maybe I can keep him.

Maybe I can have it all.

Him happy, Beth happy and me, oh yes, me.... deliriously sated and happy....

Oh maybe....

"Maybe what luv....?"

"Maybe you could.... We could...."

"Yessss?" His 'yes' came down the line slowly, drawn out, inquiring and dare she think- bated.

"Maybe we could take it slow......." And I could run my fingers all over you, trace over your wonderful face, down your neck, drizzle my fingers around your lovely bits ....

Tease him, kiss him a little...

Boy oh Boy!! What am I thinking!?

A lot!! Kiss him a LOT!

"As long as it's all day luv I'm happy"

"All day! Really?!?"

All day....

I could find where he's ticklish, find where he burns red hot, listen to the sounds and moans he makes, the sounds we make when he...... Lordy. Geezes we could be hot... so very very VerY volcanic hot....

"With snacks in between for our sustenance of course. Here, listen to this. Remember it's-"

Oh! his song. Focus!

Focus Jacqueline on him talking now, don't go dreaming of hot sexy sex...

Sexxxx

Focus! You naughty woman!

"A bit rough, I remember..... Please.... Can I hear a little smidge..." That's better, good Jacqueline, focus on his wonderful voice.

NOT SEX!

"You've twisted my arm. Here goes, just a verse ok...." Paul sat the telephone down beside him and picked up his guitar from the case by his feet. Jackie listened intently, like all these little background noises were just as important as the music he would offer her in a moment or two. She could hear him preparing himself, whispering like he had to get the nerve up to actually sing it to her. Her! Like she would be upset if he bluffed or fluffed his lines! As if.

Smiling and wondering what would come from those lips was exciting, she hadn't ever felt like this, heightened anticipation swirled within her. It had, of course, been festering within since he first spoke when she picked up the telephone but now it was razor sharp, senses heightened, and her breath caught as he took a deep breath from his end of the line.

"Ready"

"Oh my goodness Paul I'm gonna tip off this seat if I'm anymore ready" Nibbling a fingernail in desperation as he tinkered and hedged, she wiggled in the seat and huffed happily at him being so worried and even, perhaps, a teeny tiny bit insecure.

"Well here goes. Remember it's-"

"A bit rough- got it"

"Right, good girl... ok" Paul blew a puff of air out, his fringe lifting with the draught "Gee I'm nervous, why am I nervous. Right! Ready!? Yep"

"I can't be any readier-"

"We said our goodbyes, ah, the night before

Love was in your eyes, ah, the night before

Right then... I've got to fill some more in here I think maybe John will want to add something, then..."

When I held you near you were so sincere

Treat me like you did the night before

Hang on, let me redo that. I flubbed the D chord.

Last night is a night I will remember you by

When I think of things we did it makes me want to cry!"

"Oh!" Her eyes widened in awe as he tinkered with the guitar making the chords work with his lovely words. She grinned as he tripped up on some and muttered grouchily under his breath at others.

"We said our goodbye, ah, the night before

Love was in your eyes, ah, the night before

Lah lah la lah la la laaa ...... your mind

Treat me like you did the night before

When I held you near you were so sincere"

"Treat me like you did the night before" She sing-songed back as soon as he had finished. Trying to prove to him it was a smash, that she got the melody and the words quickly, easily, like any fan would.

"Hey! Oh, you got it quick then. Like it!?"

"I love it Paul"

"Love is such a strong word"

"It is over used sometimes I guess"

True"

"So.... when I say it I mean it. "

"I couldn't agree more" Tinkering with the telephone cord so his fingers wouldn't wind through his hair in impatient agitation was way better than grasping it hard in enticing thoughts of her doing the same.... I'll leave glorious hair pulling to Jacqueline... "Well then, I better dial off, let you get some kip, not that you need any more beauty sleep. You're very beautiful already"

"You are such a charmer. Will I see you early Sunday or more mid-morning? Oh! Would you like breakfast?! I could make crepes, I got some lovely lemons from the grocer"

"I'll be there early with bells on. You like it -really?"

"Really Paul, I love it! And even if it's only a smidgey teeny tiny bit about me I'm very flattered.... So very much. Thank-you, I'll go to bed with a big smile now"

"Make sure it's only a big smile so I've got something to make beam impossibly massive on Sunday"

He's just so there. So very sure of himself, it's nice, it's scary... the wonder of Paul. How to keep up with his mind, his flirting, his body.... Oh his body, sweet baby o'mine. Did I just call him mine....?

Mine, mine, mine, mine, Mine, MINE!!

Keep up, I need to keep up and press his big wonderful buttons back "Promises, promises"

"Oh I always honour my promises Jacqueline.... Always. Good night Beautiful"

"Good night Paul...." She whispered. Setting the phone carefully back down in the cradle, gazing at the handset, letting minutes pass her by, imagining a smile tugging at his beautiful full lips, thinking of something else for his song. He was so wonderful, so talented, and when he wasn't being brazenly flirty he was extremely sweet.

Her eyes took in the living room as she hovered a hand over the light switch, fingers grazing the metal surround. Her .... And him. It was a wonderful, wonderful dream, that seemed in this moment to be somehow morphing into reality. Laying a hand over her heart, feeling the ratcheted thump of it racing in thought of spending a day.... A day with him. Oh so lovely it was and as the light flickered and fled, turning the room into moonlight shadows, she promised herself to be free with him, chase the feelings, capture the wildness of what they had.

And to the darkness as she climbed the stairs, eyes sparkling in wonder, mind lit bright, she whispered dreamily... "And capture time with him"

A/N- Lost and Found: