Roxan ~ In My Life with the Beatles

15

One Door Closes Another Opens

I knocked once and the door was flung open by a girl about my age. She was lovely looking with dark long hair, almond shaped eyes, a beautiful grin and wore a white blouse and pencil pleat olive skirt.

"Oh Miss Nicholls I presume! We have been expecting you. I hope your trip was pleasant? My names Freda by the ways- general roustabout! " Freda rattled off her greetings with a large smile.

"Please, please come in we'll get you settled nice and quick, perhaps some afternoon tea too" Freda led me down a long wide hall, it was full of lovely sideboards, paintings and some fresh blooms in vases, were on a large table on my right. There were a couple of doors off the hall but all were closed, although I could hear a phone ringing behind the first door, maybe a reception area perhaps?

I stopped at the bottom of a staircase at the end of the hall, Freda who was already up a few steps in front of me turned to see what I was hesitating for, her eyes questioning and large. I'm sure she could see my indecision and many questions circling my head as she stepped back down and spoke gently.

"Oh, Miss Nicholls I'm sure your wondering what all this is" she waved a hand around ".. but I assure you It's all quite aboveboard Mr. Ep. Arrr my boss is a lovely man, never hurt a fly. I'm sure as your settled and he speaks with you, your questions will be answered. Please.. we have a lovely room just waiting for you to collect your thoughts. Perhaps a freshen up too after your long trip" A 100-watt smile lit up her face.

A fellow Liverpool lass, like me, her voice was a welcome sound in my ears and she was so genuine and likeable I let her lead me up the staircase.

We got to the next level of the building and Freda opened the first door that we saw. I stepped inside and took in the opulence of the room. Comfy lounges and sitting chairs, a sideboard topped with an overflowing vase covered in heady blooms of pink, yellow and red. A large bay window looked out over the tree lined street, curtains fluttered in the breeze. I followed Freda around like a lost lamb.

The first door led to a bathroom full of toiletries and fluffy towels. Freda then beckoned me into the next room which contained a large bed, the comforter of which was a soft lace, I think my mother called the patterns and cutouts on it 'broderie anglaise' it was all so beautiful. Freda grinned like a school girl when she grabbed my shoulders and turned me around. I was immediately speechless, the closet she presented me before was open wide and full to the brim. Piles of clothes, racks of assorted dresses and even drawers partly open showing undergarments, this was all very weird but heaven sent too.

"Miss Nicholls please make yourself at home, a relaxing bath perhaps, the clothes are all here for you, a few different sizes just in case! I will pop down and get you some refreshments" Freda hurried to the door.

"Your boss? .... And my names Roxan..." I called after her.

"Yes, of course. I'll let him know you're here and settling in. Perhaps I give you say 1 hour to refresh. Yes?" I nodded but she was gone, the door closing and I still didn't know what to think.

****Rest Up

I conceded to a shower and it was heaven; after using nothing but a bowl of tepid, almost cold water for the last 12 months to clean in, the spray of warm water and the smell of the shampoos and soaps was divine. I think I ran the buildings hot water dry! Grabbing a huge fluffy soft towel, I wrapped it around myself, bliss...it was so soft.

I hesitated a split second at the closet door pondering the 'boss' person's intentions, then gave in and reached for the fresh clothing that lay at my disposal. A full skirt of grey material with tiny soft pink flowers scattered along the hem and a blouse in the same pretty pink. Such a girly look after being in men's too big trousers and shirt for all of the previous years' incarceration! I then tended my hair fixing it back in a high pony tail, it was now shoulder length and a bit blonder than when I was a teenager.