Roxan ~ In My Life with the Beatles

51

Sophie Clare 1975

Sophie was growing so quickly.

Every time she awoke a new word was added, or a feat of childhood was reached.

Her hair is light auburn brown like 'his' with a tiny mix of red highlights that catch the sun as it plays around her face. Tiny curls grace her head but I think it might straighten like her parents as she grows. Brilliant green eyes glisten and sparkle from her face, always investigating, or smiling at me over the breakfast table.

Her room is decorated in a beach scene of course. I think she would like sand on the floor but we stop at that little 'luxury'! Although, the amount she trudges in after a day of play at the beach makes me sometimes think she may have won!

Seashell collections and drift wood can be found throughout the house. Special pieces placed carefully on sea blue shelves above her bed. A photo of daddy hangs near the bay window. He is always mentioned, a goodnight kiss for daddy placed on the photograph.. but she hasn't meet him yet- my fault or his, I'm not sure. 

Perhaps I should push, seek him out or will he reject us?

"I want to send these...." Sophie points out a dozen shells "to Stella, Mary and Heather. And these" she points at another bigger pile and looks up with a wistful glint in her eye "to Daddy and Yoko"

"OK righteo..." I have my post parcels ready, address labels attached "Which photos do you want to send?" Sophie chooses three for the girls and three for John "This one.... are you sure?" 

I pick up the one she wants sent. It's lovely. It's of the two of us smiling straight into the camera.  Wide brimmed floppy hats on our noggins, sat with a sand castle directly in front. A Linda original print for sure.  Sophie nods enthusiastically.

I don't know if he gets most of the mail we send. I still address it to the Apple office in London, although I've been told he is in New York now. The scant few items that come back addressed from him I give to Sophie; Or, if they are for me, go straight in a box in the garage.

I drop Sophie off at the school down the road everyday, sometimes we walk and chat, other time I use the car; it's the school that I had seen on that first day. It was quite small and most of the families of students were 'in the business'.

Yet, with all the showbiz industry types, it still held good down to earth values of honesty, working hard and integrity. Her uniform was too big and her bag would slip from her shoulder but thats first grade, too old for mum to keep home, too young and tiny for the uniform. Gladly, she found new friends easily and the teachers loved her.

"Hello, Mrs Nicholls, it's Mrs Anthony, Sophie's teacher. How are you today?" Sophie's teacher Mrs Anthony greeted amicably down the line. This was unusual, she usually just send notes home!

"Hello! Is Soph alright?" I grasped the handset listening intently for the response. Mrs Anthony never called.

"Yes of course. Always! Lovely little girl she is. I just wanted to mention to you that we have been working on our project about our families and at the end of semester, we will be having either a morning tea or supper evening with all the parents coming to see the artwork and posters" Mrs Anthony's paused before endeavouring on, I had a feeling what was to come "....Did you know she uses a picture of John Lennon when she puts photos on this project....."

And there it was, the one thing that I was trying to not have made common knowledge...

People change when the Beatles are mentioned. Although the band had stopped playing, their lives and celebrity status hung around them like chains. I shouldn't really be upset, we have had almost five years of being incognito.

"Yes, that's right" I sit quietly waiting for the penny to drop.

"But your, and her last name, is Nicholls" the teacher was going to make me say it. I'm not a liar never could say a fib, spoke my mind always, which got me into heaps of trouble.

"Mrs Anthony, my and Sophies name is actually Lennon. We use my maiden name to make life..... easier" The line was dead "Mrs Anthony??"

"Oh, sorry dear. Oh my. I completely understand. The media. Oh, and fans. Yes.  I won't say a word. Do you want the photos on the poster though, it will be up on the wall for all to see?"

"When's the school gallery opening?" I try to keep the teacher with me as she must be fading into Beatlemania her voice an octave or two higher. "I'll make sure I come"

"Sophia has written an invitation out, two actually....."

And there it is, the blinder.

Sophie is visualising John at the display having fatherly chats with her teacher.