Roxan ~ In My Life with the Beatles

26

Changing Hands

"I don't see why you don't go on the flight and I stay here with Richard and Maureen?" I've been pushing an uphill battle with Brian for the last forty-five minutes and I'm not winning. "If need be I can accompany them over when he is better"

"Roxan I need to be here for Richards sake, press and wotnot. Please don't argue, it's the best for the team" Brian pinches the top of his nose, a sure sign of a headache setting in.

"It's not a bloody game of cricket, Brian" I counter and the lads giggle but Brian silences them with an icy glare.

"No. No it's not dear but we are a TEAM. The lads, you, myself, Freda, everyone around us. Just agree, go be my eyes and ears on the ground keep the boys in line" A paper planes sails between Brian and myself breaking the tension, though Brian still eyeballs John for doing it.

"Com' on Rox it will be a blast. Well a Ringo-less blast but we can see the sights in the NetherRegions together"

"NetherLANDS John" Paul laughs.

"Them too, I'm sure I can sneak you out to see the sights, Paul and George too" John is buttering me up but unintentionally (or intentionally?) riling Brian up at the same time.

"NO sneaking John!" Brian just about bursts. He was liking the way John was asking me but sneaking out; Well he just had to say something.

"BUT"

"None!"

I'm not happy, I am happy. I'm....I don't know!

After hearing the news that James, MY James, had accepted the all-important, rather daunting task of temporarily filling Richards big shoes while he was sick I was happy for him, but Brian chucking this clunker at me at high noon was a doozy, all with less than 24 hours to take-off.

I hadn't ever been in-charge of anyone, never been on a plane or out of the country in my life! This was too much to take in. I extract myself quickly from the conversation, and room, before Brain can stop me. I need to cool my heels a bit and hopefully Brian will retract his preposterous plan.

"Rox"

"No John leave her be a bit eh" I hear Paul stopping John from yelling and charging after me.

************

Tin Cans and the Flying Circus

"Ladies and Gentlemen this is your captain speaking. We are now at cruising speed and we will reach our destination at 5.15pm. The forecast is clear and no signs of turbulence. Thank-you for travelling BOAC" The captain finishes his address over the loud speaker and James gives me a shove, unlocking my tight hand from his, getting up to go chat with George, they get on well enough so hopefully George will go light on the 'newbie' as he calls him.

Brian got his way I'm off in a 'Tin Can' over, by now, Great Yarmouth, the seaside town in Norfolk, about to hurtle over the North Sea towards 'our' first port of call- Copenhagen.

Denmark, home of the famous Hans Christian Andersen, the writer of so many wonderful children's books and a country which has many medieval castles and churches dating back into the 1500's. I doubt I will see any of it. It seems to me, from listening to Freda and Brian chatting, that life on tour is a series of planes, cars, hotels, cars, concerts, cars hotels, cars and planes on repeat. The boys locked in their fortress away from adoring extremely overzealous fans.

"Eh Up Rox, Jim sent me down with a drink for ya" Paul leans over the seat in front of mine to pass me a scotch and coke. The plane is fairly empty but has a smattering of press and hoity-toity business people that 'needed' to be on this plane to get to meetings and such in Copanhagen, they didn't bother the lads, they weren't 'screaming looneys' as George so kindly put it, so it was fine by them.

"Thanks"

"You can take that sash belt off now you know!" Paul said laughing and pointing to the sign which had switched off an hour ago. "Oh, and there's a dab more scotch than coke in that one luv, you looked like you needed it"

'Yes, I could take my seatbelt off but then I would be rushing the doors and I don't think anyone would take kindly to THAT!" My knuckles griped the seat and I think I was grinding my teeth earlier, although, speaking to Paul has stopped that.

He is such a personable guy, everybody's friend if need be, yes there are rows but who wouldn't after being cooped up in some dingy room all day and night. In the end they all get back to music which keeps them on an even keel.

"You're going to get an ulcer with that attitude Roxan" John flops in the seat next to me handing me another 'loaded' gun of a drink with an overdone wink. "Look, we are all a bit wound tight on planes but you need to just get on with it ya know. Drink up, it'll calm your nerves"

I drank.

"Bloody hell John! did you put any coke in it!" I took too big a swig and nearly gave John a wash with the contents.

"Drink up and smile luv" John puts an arm around my shoulder. I'm used to him now, more than before, he often pulls me into a loose friendly hug to read some inane article in the paper or answer the latest question he can't get in the crossword of the day.

"Winks I will be smashed at this rate..."

"Drink! Winks Orders more Drinks!"

I drift off for a bit, thinking back to when John broke the news to Richard; Rich knew that it had to be done but it didn't make the news go down any easier- a very big and bitter pill to swallow. We placated him with promises of a giant party when he caught up but I'm sure he thought and felt he might be canned completely, James to take his spot forevermore. No matter what we said, nothing seemed to quell his trepidation, his sad face followed us out of the room as we left and it was my undoing, I cried all the way back to Saville Row much to my own, and Johns  distress; he stayed making me tea and toast for dinner so to make sure I ate.

I awake as we bump down onto the runway- we land safely I'm a tad drowsy from my 'stress relievers' as George called them upon hearing I had being doled drinks. Jimmy, as he seems to be going by now- with the boys anyway, is left to lead me out to a waiting car, the boys have fled as a barrier crashed down with teens pouring onto the runway toward the plane as they descended the stairs waving in the early evening light.

Let the circus begin.