Roxan ~ In My Life with the Beatles

17

First Night

I'm lost for words. This person in front of me is the same boy that helped me in Liverpool, the horrible night I never wanted to recall or remember but, unbeknown to him, he did restore some of my shattered heart that night by comforting and not using or abusing.

"Um ...... John?"

"Yep got it in one Luv, John Winston Lennon at your service" he smiled down at me, with his boots on, he was a slightly taller than myself. He had gotten closer than I realised while I picked the lollies up and he was in the process of reaching out to my cheek, I stepped back out of his radius quickly to protect myself, my space.

"Oh, look at the time James should be here any minute, do you mind" I need to be out of this strange situation to collect my jumbled thoughts, what a strange day this was.

"Righteo Luv, I'll come see you tomorrow then; perhaps with the lads. Have a good night" John left quickly not looking at me again. Maybe realising how conflicted I was feeling with memories of Charlie and his beating and more.

James arrived shortly thereafter and we had a lovely dinner delivered to the room from a local Italian restaurant, a little wine and lots of catching up to do. We sat on the comfy couch and put out feet naughtily on the little table that sat in front of us.

"You know Rox I really think this job could be a new start for you. Brian's a good guy, knows a lot of people and seems to treat those around him fairly. You could use this as a jumping off point for your future" James was very persuasive and I do agree with all that he says. The opportunity presented seems golden but is it too good to be true, only time will tell I suppose.

After explaining how the day's events had been concocted I was a little more enamored with meeting the lads John mentioned, especially seeing that Rich was, in fact, one of them now! James filled me in on his band and made me promise to come see them preform as soon as I could.

I yawned "I'm sorry Jimmy I'm buggered from all this new job talk and meeting Brian. I was so happy to be free of Manchester, everything has caught up on me, now I feel like sleeping a hundred years and that bed does looks so inviting! Can you pretty please, stay tonight? I want to have as much time with you as I can, we can even have breakfast in the morning it will be just like when we were little" My fast ramble and pleading ended in another huge yawn then I put my hands together praying and pleading for him to stay over.

"Ok, Ok! you twisted my arm little sis, now let's get you tucked in and some shuteye for the both of us" James picked me up over his shoulder and plonked me on the bed, tucked me in then curled himself up at the other end with a pillow, proceeding to snore all night, I didn't mind though I missed him so much.

A Brand New Day

Brian arrived at my door precisely at 10am, I had been to breakfast at a café down the street with James. He then bade farewell for the day and made sure I knew which way to find my way back to Saville Row.

"Good morning Miss Nicholls, I trust you sleep fitfully" Brian questioned with a smile.

"yes thank-you, very much so" I finished the tea Freda had dropped off and was sat at the window. Brian sat on the lounge clasping his hands in front of him.

"And John stopped in?"

"Yes he did. That was a, a surprise, I'm still trying to get my head round that!"

"Right. Shall I show you around whilst I let you know what we are looking to achieve?" Brian stood and I followed him to the door.

After a very full morning of paperwork, visiting offices, going over itineraries and working out how I was to get my resubmission to the solicitor's guild we had lunch at a small bistro near Abbey Road Studios, our next stop in Brian's tour. He was very laid back and a gentle soul he seemed not to harbour a bad bone in his body. I was completely at ease with him, his gentle wit and easy smile making me feel safe.

The studio is where I would meet 'the lads', who by now, I had deciphered where actually the band called The Beatles. I was used to hearing their music on campus the last couple of years as anyone with a radio would tune in and listen to the British bands on BBC radio 1. Over the past few hours I had learnt their names, the tour schedule and just how much legal service they needed to smooth their rise to greater heights.

As we walked through the hallways I could see this was the epicentre of Brian's universe the energy of the people in the building developing new music for the world was tangible. Even the tea ladies were energized. A series of studios worked nearly 24 hours a day, bands, comedy Goon show recordings and practice was ongoing and I could feel a real heady buzz in the air.

Brian paused at the last door, pointing above him at the lit red 'RECORDING' sign. As soon as it went off he pushed through the double door into a large high ceilinged room. The control room was to the right up a few steps and a few men milled around in it. I could hear them calling down offering tips or reviewing the just finished 'take' on the latest song. Brian got me to sit on a sofa under the window of the control room and beckoned the boys over.

"Richard!" I jumped up quickly and caught my friend in a hug "You look great, much better than last time I saw you!" recalling our hospital afternoon many years before.

"Roxan, still beautiful I see" Richard made me blush, he never spoke to me like that in the old days as we were just kids.

"Stop it you. Your drumming in hospital led to this- wow!" I looked around the huge room in awe.

"Yep and now you're here you can enjoy my skills and adorable cheeky humour"

"Ok Ringo lay off the flirting for a bit please" Brian attempted to take charge but the four lads had other ideas.

"I'm Paul, this is George and you have met John, last night, right? ...and apparently, Richard is an old chum, lucky him!" Paul pointed to each of the lads as he introduced them and himself. He was quite handsome and had a lovely face. His eyes were dark and I thought he was utterly charming. George stood back biding his time as Richard hugged me again. Paul then turned to John wondering why he was quieter than usual. "Hey John say 'ello won't you, don't want to seem standoffish"

"Sod off Paul, I'm just giving Miss Nicholls some room; what with you fawning over her and Rings attached to her hip she can hardly breathe" John looked at me pointedly but directing his next question to Brian with a raised eyebrow "So all good then.... sorted out with Brian now?" Brian nodded that he was happy.

"Well um, it's a bit much to take in but it certainly sounds a fantastic and interesting job" I spoke up to him as it was my life they were discussing and I certainly was going to have a say!

"But... you will say yes, won't you?" John stated, staring me down til I had to turn away to break his gaze.

Richard grabbed my arm shaking it like a rag doll "Comin' Rox, this would be a great adventure and you and me could reminisce the old Dingle days. John has really wanted to do this for you, seeing how you....." Rich stopped abruptly after receiving a big prod from George; George nodding toward John, now tinkering with his guitar by the piano.

"I think you have embarrassed John, Rings" George whispered none to quietly making John turn around to add his piece to the conversation.

"I'll have you know I am never embarrassed George! But I will say truthfully, I do want you to say yes Luv- you did a great thing for my family and I want to help- I'm in the position to do that, that's all" John picked up his guitar again. "OK lads, let's show Miss Nicholl's what we do!"

Counting in to a new song he started to play and sing, the boys following with the melody, harmonising. The sound of another hit filling the room. John smiled at me and winked. Maybe I will say yes after all.