The Sound of Silence | Paul McCartney ✅

21

24th April 1963

Since the photoshoot with Paul, I hadn't seen or spoken to Tom, so I was surprised to find that he was standing outside of my apartment, impatiently knocking on it with his right hand. "Tom," I said in surprise, trying to mimic happiness at seeing him, "how're you? Come in."

"Good," he answered. "The cheque cleared for your last photoshoot with Paul McCartney, and the money is in your account."

"Wonderful." I answered. "Why're you here?" He sat down at my table and requested a cup of tea, which I began to make for him.

"Because I wanted to ask if you'd do a photoshoot with Jean Shrimpton -"

"Of course."

"And Ringo Starr with Paul McCartney."

"No." I stated.

"But it's a lot of money -"

I cut him off, not willing to deal with anymore of his bullshit. "I am not doing anymore photo shoots with any of The Beatles unless one of them asks me to first. They deserve respect, and so do I. Stop trying to push us together -"

"But you and Paul -"

"Are none of your concern." I crossed my arms against my chest. "We did one photoshoot, and that is it. No more."

"The photos will be published on Friday." Tom said. "You should do a press release because of your relationship with Paul."

I sighed. I knew that he was right about the press release, but I didn't want to publicise mine and Paul's relationship - I wanted it to stay reasonably private, and I didn't want the press poking around in it.

Somebody else knocked at the door and I asked Tom to please be respectful of whoever it was. I went to answer the door, briefly glancing at the clock and seeing that it was already midday. Maureen was standing behind the door, and Ringo was beside her, holding her hand. "Hello, you two." I said, smiling at them. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"Paul asked us ter bring yer ter the show." Ringo answered. "Could we come in?"

I nodded and stepped back, allowing them into my apartment. "My agent is in the kitchen," I told them, "he'll be leaving soon."

"Ringo Starr!" I face palmed as Tom appeared in the doorway to the kitchen and looked at Ringo incredulously.

"Mr Agent!" Ringo replied in the same excited tone of voice, though it was obvious that he was feigning his excitement.

"And who're you?"

"This is me girl," Ringo replied, putting an arm around Maureen's waist, "Mo."

"Nice to meet you." Tom shook Maureen's hand and then began to talk with Ringo.

"Why didn't Paul come to bring me to the show himself?" I asked Maureen quietly, bringing her away from the two men so we could talk a little more privately, away from Tom's prying ears.

"Eppy isn't happy with him." Maureen answered quietly, whispering her reply to my question.

"Did he do something wrong?"

"Did a photoshoot with you and then told the photographer he could release your relationship with it -"

"That's bad?" I asked in disbelief and worry for Paul. I didn't want him to be penalised because of me.

Maureen shrugged. "Eppy likes to keep the boys single in the public light - says it makes them sell better."

I sighed. "Is he in a lot of trouble?"