Dearest, You Said [McCartney]

Three

April 20 1963 - Saturday

Saturday morning. The weekends were quiet, as everyone had more plans than I did over the weekends. Ian was out with his friends, Tommy was likely out spending time on his own around the city, Dad was working per usual, and Mum had plans with my aunt Edith to meet with some important faces.

That left me to attend a work-related get-together I was invited to around dinnertime. I thought about if Judith was going to be there. She had a way with words that still echoed in my mind. It wouldn't last the whole night, but I'd be able to speak with people who knew the right contacts.

I fixed myself some oatmeal, topping it with berries. Alfie sat at my side, whining and giving large pleading eyes. Oh, you poor thing.

My mind couldn't stay occupied on one single thought alone. It bounced along from thinking about waking up with Paul, to Judith's fluffing of my hair and the way she rested her head on my shoulder, to recalling the memories of my old boyfriend. My vision become unfocused while I sat there, too far into my own head for a moment.

Alfie's rough paw swatting at my thigh brought me back to reality, impatiently expecting a taste of my food. 

"Oatmeal isn't for dogs, Alf," I scratched behind his ear to appease him, exhaling loudly. Mentally preparing for today.

The weather appeared to be a pleasant day. The sun was shining and there wasn't a sign of a chilly breeze. I dressed in a loose-fitting dress that reached mid-thigh, curling the ends of my hair up in a flip. A haircut was needed soon, my dark locks were growing a bit long for flips. A wide headband to separate my fringe from the rest of my hair pulled my outfit together nicely.

It was a sweet enough get-up to play with Alfie in the garden, presentable in case I had any surprise visitors, yet casual for running about with my dog.

I tossed a ball for him until his tongue lolled out, clearly tired but unwilling to break the game. Alfie was eager to play until his legs fell off.

"Allll right, little one, time for a break. I'll get you water with ice, hm?" I scrunched my nose in a tight smile, leading him into the kitchen. He slumped into sitting, slouched more to one side while he panted. I grabbed a ceramic bowl from the cabinet, filling it with cold water and ice.

Alfie scratched behind his ear, making a thumping sound against the hardwood flooring. I placed down the bowl for him, before closing the door to the garden. I could hear his noisy slobbering, droplets of water inevitably splattering all over the floor. He never was a polite drinker.

By now, it was afternoon. I fed Alfie, let him out to run around the garden, and began to ready myself. My hair was still mostly prepared, but I planned on changing into a more stylish dress for the gathering. It was an unwritten rule to be fashionable in most appearances. 

I smoothed my hair from the wispy ends that decided to show themselves after playing with Alfie. Time for a prim and proper face. My staples in makeup I did myself were false eyelashes and eyeliner, different shades of eye shadow to accompany. Charlie's favorite aspect he loved to capture in his photos of me were my eyes. He thought they were so doll-like, giving me an "elegant innocence." I wonder if Paul felt that way looking at my eyes, perchance seeing some photos of me in magazines or catalogs. Or he had seen some of my film work years ago.

He would've been my age now at the release of the last movie I worked on. I played the female lead's younger sister, though my role was not particularly large. After filming, I was set on modelling instead. Photos spoke to me more than playing a character did by then.

♡ ♡ ♡

I spent most of the late afternoon into evening at the modelling get-together, greeting familiar faces I had gotten to know over the last couple of years. The few plates of hors d'oeuvres were to die for, including deviled eggs, pan fried salt cod slices, and cranberry crostini.