You Really Got A Hold On Me

Keep Your Hands Off My Baby

Oh God, I didn't want Paul to see me like this. I hurriedly tried to dry my eyes with the back of y hand but it wasn't very effective. 

"Michelle" he sighed when he reached me and sat down on the step beside me. He then handed me a tissue and I thanked him.

"I didn't know teddy boys carried round tissues" I said through my sniffles and he laughed lightly.

"Abby" he said in response.

How could I face Abby again? I thought. Part of me wanted to ignore her and not to speak to her but the other half of me whispered that she was my best friend and I should apologise for reacting like that. But she shouldn't have kept something like this a secret from me.

"I'm sorry" I said to Paul, still looking at the floor and avoiding his eyes.

He moved a little closer to me and put an arm around my dainty frame.

"Hey" he said, "don't apologise, I get that your'e upset. I mean I was a bit surprised when Abby told me at first. The first thing I thought of was you."

I smiled a little at his words, though they still made me want to cry as he was being so nice. This would make it all the more difficult to see him go.

"But it won't be forever" he continued, "I swear."

"How long?" I asked cautiously, still avoiding his eyes. 

"Three weeks."

I closed my eyes. Three weeks. This was going to be difficult. I suppose it could have been worse, he could be going for months and months but to me three weeks still seemed a long time - even longer given the deficit of Paul's company.

"I'll be back before you know it" he said rubbing my arm comfortingly. 

I buried my head in his chest and breathed in his sweet scent. This time Brylcreem, mulled wine and cologne. 

I gulped in an attempt to stop any more tears but nonetheless a couple found their way down my cheek and Paul dabbed  them away, then kissed me on the forehead.

"Why don't we go inside eh?" He asked eventually, standing up.

"We're locked out" I said smiling a bit through my sadness. 

"Ah" he said, "hence" and he gestured to me sitting on the step.

"Yeah" I replied, the tiny moment of humour passing as quickly as it had come. 

"Well, how about I go back and get the key from your Dad and then we can get in" he suggested, "unless-" he stopped mid-sentence and seemed to look past me. 

"What is it?" I asked.

"Michelle, your bathroom's round this way right?" 

"Yeah" I dragged out, watching him make his way round the side of my house. "What are you doing?"

"Come here" he called. So I followed him, curiouser and curiouser. 

"Gear" I heard him mutter. "Michelle look."

I followed his finger and he was pointing to the bathroom window. It happened to be open.

"I don't remember leaving that open" I thought aloud.

"Well whoever did we should be grateful" Paul said smiling, "it's our way in."

"You want us to climb in through the bathroom window?" It was certainly a quicker alternative to Paul going back to the party and getting the key. And what if he ran in to Abby there and John and George and they insisted on coming back with him? I don't think I could face them right now.