Bright are the stars that shine, dark is the sky - And I Love Her one-shots

Lovely

"Isn't it lovely, all alone
Heart made of glass, my mind of stone
Tear me to pieces, skin the bone
Hello, welcome home" - Billie Eilish & Khalid

London, 21 December 1965

Paul sat in the audience, disguised and slightly bored. He'd seen her perform a dozen times, but his mind was elsewhere.
"Be honest with me Paul," a voice shook him from his thoughts "She's bloody phoning it in"
Paul shrugged "Not really my place to say, Mika"
"C'mon mate," Mika prodded "Our shows have been struggling, I know you and Reggie have a thing, but..."
"Barely.." Paul scoffed.
"You've been seeing a lot of her since you came back from America, I just thought.." Mika said.
"It's just sex," Paul said absentmindedly "Whatever yer goin' ta' say about her performance, I'm not goin' to tell her luv"
"I don't know how much longer this troupe will last..." Mika sighed. She'd become friends with Paul over the last year when he and Regina started their fling and began feeling like she could talk with him.
"We can't get enough audience, and I'm out of ideas" Mika continued sadly.
"You want my thoughts?" Paul asked.
"You're the creative sort," Mika laughed softly.
"Cast others in the lead," he said, "I think Regina's just relyin' too much that she'll always be put in the lead"
"You know I can't do that...." Mika said sadly "We'll lose our space...our funding..."
"Well, try working the others in more, but subtly" Paul shrugged. "Honestly, Mika...I'm a bit lost meself, I'm hoping a visit with the family over Christmas will help. We're doing so well, the band, but I had one of the worst nights I can recall over the summer tour"

He thought momentarily about the night in Minnesota when Charli didn't show up. He was trying to move on, but Christmas always brought back memories.
"What happened in America anyway?" Mika asked "You said you had a blast in New York"
"We did, Shea was one of our best shows..." Paul said, taking a drag from his cigarette "It's a long story, Mika...I'd rather not talk about it here"
"Well, I'm sure Regina will be happy to see you," Mika said. Paul smirked slightly.

*

"Next year..." Jillian sighed backstage "next year, this troupe will get better.."
"Come on Jill," Nigel tried encouraging "You were fantastic tonight, you'll get the recognition you deserve"
"She already does," Regina said as she stepped backstage "As a background performer"
She and the friend she always seemed to bring to shows giggled.
"It's alright Jillian," Regina cooed, sitting next to her "If you were just a little younger and lost some weight, you might be almost as good as me"
"Fuck off Regina," Jillian said as she stood from her mirror and left the room.
"Real nice, Reggie," Nigel said angrily.
"It's not like it matters," Regina dismissed "My father funds this troupe, I'm the best there is and soon I'll have a famous boyfriend, the rest of you will matter even less."
"REGINA!" Mika yelled as she stepped backstage "You can't treat your castmates like that! And what have I said about bringing friends backstage?"
Regina ignored Mika and ran to Paul, flinging herself into his arms.

"Paulie!" She screeched excitedly.
"I asked you not to call me that," Paul said sternly as his arms went to her waist.
"What did you think of my performance?" she asked ignoring him.
"Fab as always luv," he answered.
"So are we going out or...?" she asked, unbuttoning a button on his shirt.
"Figured we'd just go back to mine," he shrugged. "Not really up for going out tonight."

He was lying. He didn't want to be seen out with her, he was still with Jane, she was never around but the press would be all over the scoop about any girl he was seen with aside from Jane.

New York, 22 December 1965

"Alright everyone," Helen said, addressing her castmates "Very well done tonight! We're going to knock them dead at New Years!"

Charli swung down from the lyra.
"Charli," Helen smiled "You have come such a long way since I met you in that little art store"
"Ta Helen," Charli said as she bashfully fluffed her fringe back in place.
"Don't embarrass her, Helen" Lily laughed. He then turned to Charli "What do ya' think pumpkin? Up for a night on the town?"
"Hmmm..." Charli pondered "We just had a 3-hour rehearsal, my muscles are sore, I should sleep...but I'm always keen for a bevvy and a night out!"
"Geeear" Eddie joked approaching them "Let's make sure the rest are good to go and head out!"
"You joining us Helen?" Charli asked.
"Depends," Helen laughed "I can't be bothered to drive to and from Greenwich tonight...are you keeping it local?"
"Come off it," Charli laughed "It's only a 15-minute drive from Manhattan...but we were talking about going to Peppermint Lounge since they're likely closin' up at the end of the month"
"Then you can count me in," Helen said happily.