I Saw Her Standing There: Book 1: A Paul McCartney love story

Chapter 3: Photographs aren't the Only Thing being Developed

     Analeigh decided not to change her dress since Paul had loved  it so much. Instead she threw on some black and red flats  and Paul's black leather jacket to keep out the chill. He was a small guy, so it fit pretty well. And it still smelled of him.

     6 o'clock rolled around and a soft knock came at the door. Analeigh pulled it opened and saw Paul standing there. He had no gel in his shaggy brown hair; it fell to just above his eyelashes, and although it was very straight, swept slightly to the left, casting shadows across his chiseled features. As for his attire, he wore a light grey suit with a white button up underneath, a black tie, and black shoes. He was strikingly handsome like this, and it made him look a little older. She didn't even say hello. She just kept staring at him. His lips turned up at the corner, and he arched one dark eyebrow in question.

  "Oh! Hey," laughed Analeigh nervously. He was still looking at her with amusement plainly on his face. "You look great. I like the new effect."

    "I'm not sure how I feel about the hair yet," said Paul still reeling over her reaction, "but the suit I could get used to."

     They arrive at the park and all the boys are there. They begin to walk up to the stage when they hear John fighting with their manager Brian Epstein. "You have to wear the suit, Lennon!" said Epstein. "No, I bloody well do not! I will not get in that monkey suit. I haven't worn a suit all my life, and I'm not going to start now. You can forget it."

   With a sigh Brian said, "Put on the suit, Lennon or you won't get paid."

   "I'm getting paid for this mess?" said John with a surprised laugh. "Why didn't you say so? Wear a suit? Yeah, I'll wear a suit. I'll wear a bloody balloon if someone's gonna pay me."

   "Yes. You will." said Brian with a triumphant smile. "Ah! Paul. You're here. Good. We can start rehearsing now."

     The boys walked over to Paul and Analeigh with greetings, and then started talking business.

       "So," said John, "has anyone thought of a name yet?" No one replied; they all just looked about the group. "No? Superb! I have, and now none of you can have a say so because you haven't got any other ideas."

      They all looked at him waiting to hear his idea. "Well," said George speaking up, "out with it, man!"

    "Oh, yes! Here it goes! Are you ready?" said John trying to annoy them.

The three musicians and Mr. Epstein grumbled their impatience.

   "All right, all right. The Beatles. B-E-A-T-L-E-S. Just because."

     There were complaints from in the group of, "I don't like it." to "That'll never catch on." , and  "How stupid," until Epstein chimed in with, "I think it's perfect! Much better than The Quarrymen."

     So it was settled. They would now always be known as The Beatles.

They all went to grab their instruments, but Paul lagged behind. "Do ye like the name, Analeigh?" he said with his thick accent. 

"I love it! I think it fits very well. It'll catch on, I'm sure. It's something that sounds a bit more common. Not that the band is common." she added. "Now when you guys play in America or wherever else, no one will really question the name. I think it's a good choice."

   "Well, I'm glad you like it, and I hope you're right." He then went to his bass and went to the microphone.

  They practiced a few songs until people started arriving. Paul made sure Analeigh got a front row seat so she could scrutinize them. She had brought her camera to take as many pictures as possible; these boys were gonna be famous someday soon.