Threes a crowd. - Now Complete.

Part 43

"It's a perfect idea Paul. Think about it, if we go to a hotel in Edinburgh say, then they won't even know where we're living. They'll get their damned story but then we'll disappear!" said Jane in a very determined manner, "They can comment and speculate as much as they want. We won't be there to listen to it!" She took his hand and kissed it softly, "Please Paul. It's making you ill. I can't stand by and watch you being ill over all this!"

Paul looked at his wife in a new light. Suddenly he was seeing this strong forthright woman he'd never really seen before. He'd always seen it as his role to look after and protect her and now, her she was, telling him what they were going to do. She was trying to protect him.

He nodded. "If you think it will work then OK. Do you want me to get someone from Apple to organise it?"

"Good idea!"

A week later Jane, Paul and Mary were collected from the farm by a driver from Apple and taken to The Waldorf Astoria Hotel in the centre of Edinburgh. A press conference had been arranged where Paul and Jane had agreed to discuss the rumours which were circulating.

A nervous Paul, carrying Mary in one hand and holding Jane's hand with the other, walked into the room. Immediately cameras flashed as hundreds of photographs were taken. People began shouting questions. Mary, startled by the light and the noise, hid away into Paul's shoulder. They took their seats at a long table set on a podium and waited for the room to quieten.

Derek Taylor stepped forward. "Ladies and gentlemen, Paul and Jane have agreed to answer your questions openly today. However, unless this interview is conducted with good grace and decorum on the press behalf, it will be terminated. Please remember that Mary McCartney is a three year old child and easily frightened."

He turned to Paul and Jane. "Ready?"

They nodded. Paul clutched Jane hand tight.

"You'll be fine Paul. Relax."

"OK folks," he began, "First of all, Keep your voices down and, for security reasons,  not too many pictures of Mary please."

Hearing her name, Mary looked up from the paper and crayons she was drawing with. She eyed the press gathering suspiciously then carried on drawing. Her indifference made Paul smile. She was so like Jane!

"OK Paul, first of all, we know you moved out the family house some time ago. Now that has been followed with the report that you've been issued with divorce papers. What's happening?"

Paul faced the cameras. "I was a fool. On a trip to the US I slept with another woman. Naturally Jane was angry and upset when she found out. We separated for a while which is why I left the house and moved into the flat. Yes, Jane did issue me with divorce papers."

This comment was greeted by confused silence.

"So are you getting a divorce?" a voice called. "You both look pretty cosy at the moment."

"Things have changed." said Jane, "We've talked a lot. Then, after talking,  decided we wanted to give Mary a family Christmas as she has been missing her dad not being around. What ever faults Paul has as a husband, he is a great dad."

"And your plans to divorce?"

"Temporarily on hold." said Jane. "We're getting along very well. Paul has been honest with me. We might consider trying again. We'll see."

"Jane, the divorce papers handed to the press, they say Paul has been repeatedly unfaithful. Is that true?"

Before Jane could answer, Paul spoke up. "Jane knows I betrayed her trust more than once. I know how much I've hurt her and she knows how I deeply regret my actions. At the moment things are very positive between us. There's nothing definite between us yet but I know how lucky I am to be given then chance to show Jane I'm not the same man who hurt her so much in the past"