My Life And Rock'n'Roll

Chapter 62 - Pete Best

The last half an hour has felt like it has gone in slow motion. As people are looking around, I start mingling - and one of those in the crowd is none other than Pete Best.

It has been such a long time since we last saw each other, and he greets me warmly. I never had any issues with Pete, in fact, I was extremely disappointed when he was dropped from the band.....

Pete and I head into a quieter place for a catch up, and Julian ends up joining us. Pete is proud of Julian, and his words of encouragement mean so much. Even though we lost touch, Pete was always respectful and kind towards Julian and I, and I know he was saddened to learn John and I had parted ways.

It feels really good to be able to laugh and smile, and we decide to catch up with Pete later tonight at Dragonne, a popular Restaurant here in Hamburg.

Astrid heads for us, and she looks flustered - if I didn't know better, I would say something is wrong. As I look behind her, I see Paul, George and Ringo heading towards me. Before I grasp what is happening, I hear John's voice, and I notice he is behind George.

Julian stands beside me in an instant, and I am still in my spot - I have nowhere to hide, and I decide to just get on with it.....
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The early indications are this exhibition is going to be a hit. We have only been open around 30 mins, and the area allocated for us is full.

People are being turned away for the time being, and I am working the room, talking with as many people as I can. Ringo and Paul come up to me with what I assume is their security detail, and before I get the chance to ask, John and George are close behind.....

Oh crap, I haven't mentioned John's presence to Cynthia. I was hoping to leave that until after our unveiling, and now, I excuse myself from the guys and look for Cynthia.

I see her talking in a quiet corner with Julian and Pete Best, and as I approach she can tell something is amiss. Before I get the opportunity to say anything, the boys head straight for us.

Julian, quickly stands beside his Mum, like a protector. To say their greet is awkward is an understatement, and everyone is looking at John. He quietly asks Cynthia to talk with him in private - To my surprise Cynthia says no, and that this is not the best time.

John's face falls, but I really don't know what he was expecting from her. Julian asks his Father to please not do this here, and John, almost at the point of tears, pleads with Cynthia to talk to him.

Pete Best, to everyone's shock, steps in and asks the guys to leave and not make this any harder for Cynthia, and for once John puts her needs first. He hands Julian a piece of paper with the address and phone number of where they are staying, almost begging for her to call, and the guys take their leave.

John is the last to walk away, and compliments the work Cynthia and I have done, and he is sorry about everything - I feel for Paul, Ringo and George; this is not a situation of their making, and yet again, John brings everyone else in to his problems.....

I thank Pete for calmly dissolving what could have been a bad situation, and Julian hugs Cynthia. Now I am stressing, as we have the press conference to deal with and Cynthia is not in the best frame of mind to be dealing with the press - oh John, why can't you give Cynthia space???
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The exhibition is really busy, and the place is abuzz. Observing the look on people's faces when they see Mum's portraits compliment Astrid's photos do I realise how big a deal this is.....

I go to look for Mum, and I find her talking with a man I have seen in photos with Dad, albeit many years ago. When I approach them, Mum introduces him as Pete Best, and I have heard his name mentioned in past conversations about the early days of The Beatles.

Mr Best seems quite a pleasant man, and asks about my scholarship - he is proud of how I am making an effort without Dad's help, and he compliments Mum on the portraits she has painted.

Once we finish up here, we are going to have dinner with Mr Best at a popular Restaurant in town - he knows the owners, and getting a table will not be a problem, even during this festival!

While we are engaged in conversation, I notice Paul and Ringo approaching us, and Dad is walking behind them with George. Oh no! I quickly stand beside Mum, and she politely greets Paul, George and Ringo. As soon as Dad comes face to face with Mum, I see it.....

Mum looks ready to cry, but she handles herself with the dignity and class she has brought me up to have. Dad asks Mum to talk with him in private, and to my astonishment - perhaps everyone's astonishment, she quietly refuses and tells Dad this is not the time or place for any discussion.

I can't help it, I need to say something - I ask Dad not to do this now, here, and he looks to Mum and pleads with her to talk to him. The tension is becoming unbearable, and Mr Best, looks to Dad and the guys and asks them not to make this hard for Mum. Amazingly, Dad and the guys decide it best they leave.

Dad looks to me, and hands me a piece of paper with the address and phone number of where they are staying. If I didn't know better, it is almost as if he is desperate for Mum to call him......