Be my Starr (Ringo Starr)

Chapter 22 part 3: Stowaway love birds

~The next morning~

Susan picked up the phone in their hotel room. She promised her mum she would call and reassure her that she wasn't dead in some ditch. Her mother hated the thought of her or her kids flying. The phone rang for a few seconds before the line was eventfully picked up.

"Hello? Mum?" Susan was expecting her mum to have some go at her for not calling as soon as she got off the plane. "Hello?"

"Is that you dear?" Her grandmother asked sweetly on the other line.

"Oh, hi. Yes grandma, it's me."

"How is America?" She asked in a bubbly tone.

"Amazing. The buildings are so different here compared to England." Susan smiled as she spoke. America had truly stolen her heart.

"Well, I'm glad you're enjoying yourself." Susan could hear another voice on the other end. A deeper, annoying voice. Susan groaned to herself.

"So, still alive then?" Her brother teased.

Susan rolled her eyes. "Where's mum?"

"Wow, not even gunna reply?"

"Just put her on, I don't have much time." She hurried.

"Fine whatever. Mum!" Dan shouted away from the phone. "Susan's on the phone!" A moment passed. "She's coming."

"Thanks."

"Susan?" Susan felt a wave of relief pass over her as she heard her mother's voice.

"Hi, mum. I'm still alive." She joked.

"I told you to call me as soon as you landed." Her mother said coldly.

"Yeah, sorry about that." She apologized. "I kinda forgot. At least I called at all."

"That I can be thankful for. How's America?"

"It's great mum, you'd probably not like it with all the hoards of people though."

"Nonsense. Anyway, I hope you're having fun. Make sure you keep your essentials with you at all times." She reminded her daughter.

"I am, don't worry."

"I'd love to chat love but I'm afraid I've got to stop your grandmother from electrocuting herself with this damn television." Susan was intrigued to question her mum more but decided to leave it for another call.

"That's ok. I'll call you later." Putting the phone down, Susan couldn't help but feel a little down. That was hardly nearly enough time to tell her mum about all the cool things there was in America. Hopefully, they'd be able to catch up soon.

"Are you ready Susan?" Barbara asked, snapping Susan out of her train of thought. "We're leaving in like a minute." Susan watched as Barbara shoved some makeup into her bag.

"That's not true." Linda protested.

"Yeah, I'm ready." Susan nodded.

"What did your mum say?" Barbara laughed. "Did she have a go at you?"

"Yep," Susan answered shamelessly. "It's alright though."

There was a knock at the door, indicating that it was time to leave.

"You girls ready?" Of course, It was Mal.

"Yeah, coming!" Barbara shouted back.

~~~

The girls met up with the boys and they all got into this minibus that was privately booked by Eppy, the Beatles manager who decided not to come and stayed at the hotel to discuss business with various investors interested in the Beatles. They were all going on a tour through New York and possibly to eat at a nice fancy restaurant.

Susan and Ringo sat together hand in hand, enjoying the view of each other more than the intended one. Barbara was sat on the other side with John who was more interested in picking out people on the street and guessing their life story which Barbara found most intriguing. George was sat just in front of John and participated in his game too but fell silent when Barbara spoke. Things were still cold between them. Linda on the other hand was sat at the back, enjoying the view outside. She had always been interested in other country's and exploring them. Her day would have been complete if it weren't for chatty Paul who had decided to sit next to her.

"Have you always wanted to go to America?" He asked.

"I thought it would be nice." She said.

"You seem different than the other girls." Paul pointed out. "Quieter."

"I prefer to blend into the background." Paul found this rather contradictory.

"Well, that's not true is it?" He grinned.

"What are you talking about?" She looked at him, a confused expression on her face.

"You. Blending into the background and shite. You understand that makes you more noticeable right?" He laughed.

"No one ever noticed me before."

"Not anymore." He murmured, taking a sharp breath and turning away. He wanted to win her over to prove he had outstanding charm, not fall victim to another's.

A few seats forward, Susan had been watching Paul and Linda. She turned to Ringo.

"You seen them two?" She nosed.

Ringo turned. "Oh yeah." He looked back at Susan. "Like us." He smiled.

"I don't think Linda's ever had a relationship." She pondered. "At least, not that I know of."

"What, you're thinking that...?" Susan caught onto Ringo's gesture to the two and shook her head, laughing.

"No, no. That would never happen."

"Why not?" Ringo smirked, daring to think otherwise. "I think they'd make a... surprising couple." He joked.

"Shut up." Susan playfully slapped him on the arm. "Have you seen us?"

"Hey, we're the best of the best." He defended.

"And not in a relationship." Susan pointed out.

"Not yet..." His lips curled into a devilish grin and he leaned in for a kiss, only for one to multiply into more.

"Here we go, Romeo and Juliet are off again." George teased.

"Driver, we seem to have two stowaway love birds on board." John jested.

The two stowaway love birds pulled away, their cheeks fire red, and shyly smiled at each other in embarrassment.

"I guess we just get lost in the moment," Susan suggested.

"Fuck em, I don't care." Ringo shrugged and leaned into Susan's ear. "We can do whatever we want." He whispered, leaning over and gently lowering her down so he could smother her in kisses without the others seeing.