I've Just Seen A Face {Ringo Starr}

Chapter 9

"Mmm she loves you yeah yeah yeah, she loves you yeah yeah yeah." I sing as I sit at my desk doing my uni work. That was until I was interrupted by a knock on the door. "Brittany I am not turning it down." I get up and open the door. "Mr Starr." I sigh. "Look, don't shut the door in me face okay? Had that done before and it hurt me ruddy nose. Can I come in? I just want to help ye Tiger, you don't have to open up to me, just let me help, one step at a time." He explains. "Why do you keep calling me tiger?" I ask. "Because when ye got drunk ye kept growl-" I pull him into the room and shut the door. He chuckles.

"It's not funny." I turn off the record and cross my arms. "Sorry." He looks down. "You can't help me Mr Starr." I say. "Okay firstly, don't call me that, Ringos fine, or Ritch if ye prefer. And secondly I can. I can help you get out of yer relationship with William." He looks at me. "You can't. I'm supposed to marry him."

"Well marry me instead." Ringo says. "That's absurd! I am not marrying some- some-"

Ringo looks around at all of the posters of the Beatles on the wall. "Someeeeee." he looks at me. "I'm not marrying you."

"Right, yes, I admit, that was stupid of me. But poppie listen to me." He holds my hands gently. "He's hurting ye. Once I get you out of this relationship you don't even have to see me ever again. I just- I can't stop thinking about the fact that he's hitting you, and raping you Poppie..." He looks down at me sweetly.  "Mr-Ringo I can't.. he'll kill me, you don't understand. My mother will kill me." I say.

"Why? Why would your own mother kill you?" He asks. "Be-because she- she's just the same. She prefers William over me. She never wanted me. My father's a lord, he has an estate and whoever I marry will get it."

"O-..oh?" He says. "See? This is why I didn't want you to bother." I pull my hands away. "No-no I'm sorry I don't care about any of that darlin, you deserve someone you want, not someone yer mam wants."

I sigh. "Look, leave him, just ignore his calls. Everything. Leave this place, we'll get a place together yeah?" He rubs my cheek and I flinch. "Fuck- sorry." He pulls his hand away. "Ringo I barely know you." I say. "So? You wake up to posters of me every day, I'm sure you know me." I go red. "I can't.." I say. "Just think about it okay? But for now ignore his calls and if he comes over John will handle him alright?" He says and I nod. "I'll see you around Tiger." He kisses my cheek and leaves the room.

I couldn't sleep that night. What he said to me wouldn't leave my head. And it wasn't even just his words. He wouldn't leave my head. These feelings, I've never experienced them before. I kept picturing him, I wanted to be with him, I wanted to touch him. What was this? Is this what the girls all talk about at university? Is this love?

I pace around my room and I couldn't stop. I open my door and peer out. His was closed. I grab my dressing gown and put it on then walk out and over to his door. I stand there for a while before I knock. The door opens immediately. "Poppie?" He looks down at me and I just look at his bare chest. "Yes." I say and look up at him.

"Eh?" He looks at me confused. "I- yes I'll- a house with you i-" I stutter. He smiles. "Are you sure?"

"I- I don't know but right now, yes." I gulp. "Alright darling. I promise, I'll protect you with my life." He kisses my head and I grab his hand. He looks down and I let go. "Yes." I say and walk back to my room, quickly shutting my door.