If I Fell

~18~

After little while I pulled a 'present' out of my bag for Paul, making a big show of handing it over.

"What's this then?! I thought you would be knocking me down, not giving me presents..... thank-you luv" Paul put an arm around my shoulder but didn't open the gift.

I wasn't bothered, I could happily wait till he was with the lads again, all the better in fact. We walked back to the main house Paul still had his arm slung over my shoulder.

"Ok everybody settle down, settle down" Paul took over the main living room as soon as we had walked back through the house to join Jim and company, he was a natural leader, easily maintaining the room with his happy demeanour and positivity "Now it's not every day that your own flesh and blood conquer America but today we are here to celebrate that very deed!!"

Everyone in the room clapped and cheered raising glasses and clinking them together, I hadn't a glass yet so it was a bit awkward standing there empty handed.

Everyone who was related or personally connected with the Beatles seemed to be here: Jim of course, Ruthie and Angie, Mimi, Johns aunt, whom I hadn't met yet. Mr and Mrs Harrison they were very nice and welcomed me into their little circle chatting about America and that there daughter Louise actually emigrated there not terribly long ago. Mrs Elise Starkey (that's Ringos real name- Richard Starkey you see, well I have only just seen as I only just this past few minutes found out myself!) and Richie's stepfather Mister Harry Graves.

As I walked in with Paul, a very genteel man stood to the side of the room by the piano, he wore a very nice dark navy blue suit, pale blue tie and even paler blue shirt with a handkerchief in the coat pocket, he was leaning over making conversation with Jim and from the looks of the two of them they got an well, laughing at a shared joke or two as they spoke, he also seemed to be keeping an eye on me for some reason or other.

"There you go, can't have you with no glass of bubbly can we luv" It was George Oh My Goodness Harrison standing in front of me with a glass all I could do was squeak a 'thanks' and almost drop the glass as he handed it to me "So you're my telephone nurse then, pleased to make your acquaintance miss Abigail"

"Oh, yes lemon and scotch, even got in the teenage mag I was reading 'George cured with lemon and scotch from nice girl'!" I giggled as I recalled the article. "call me Abby"

"I thought that was only my name for you, Abby!" John broke into the conversation, manhandling George from in front of me. "Never mind I will think up a new one"

"What are you prattling on about Lennon, not annoying the young lady are you now?" The man in the navy-blue suit now stood with crossed arms leering at John but a slight smirk pulled at his lips, he then held out a hand towards me "Hello I'm Brian, Brian Epstein, the lads manager and their babysitter"

"You have children" I said, slightly horrified, John looked at Brian like 'explain, will ya'

"No, no miss. Abigail isn't it? ' I nodded "These four can, umm, get up to quite a bit of mischief when bored, let me tell you!"

"Oh, I nearly wacked John over the head for nothing! Yes, from the telephone conversations I was having I guessed they were somewhat immature" I poked my tongue out at John who tried to capture it in his fingers but he thankfully missed.

"What's all this then a private party in the middle of the room and not inviting me then, pour shame pour shame" Ringo sauntered over into the ring of men surrounding me and I searched for a way out of the centre of their attention.

"Manuel I assume.... finally we meet" I laughed at Ringo and he shot his head up quick smart, a mischievous grin tumbling across his happy face.

"Oi yes l, Manuel the 'airdresserr at your service" Ringo then changed to his Liverpool accent for the rest of the chat thankfully "Arrr the fabled miss Abigail, a pleasure I'm sure"

"A pleasure indeed, I'll book in now for a 3.30 on the 30th, style and trim thanks" I joked with Ringo. John giving an eye roll at Richie for now being centre of the chat.

"I vil vite that in my zook" laughed Ringo.

"What's this present then Abigail, I'm dying to open it, shall I?" Paul raised an eyebrow and I checked who was near us, John and Ringo, Brian having walked off was now by the drinks, George walked back over.

"What ya got there Paulie? Hey, it's not your birthday" George raised an eyebrow while passing me another glass of champagne, I took a sip and stopped, I better not get too tiddly.

"Abigail gave it to me. Oh yea met Abigail, my new sister!" Paul smiled broadly, ever so proud and I returned the grin "Da sort of made it official like, you know I always wanted a sister"

"Well she's a very nice sister, does she date Beatles?" George asked, I blushed crimson.

"Open the present Paul, it must be a sister brother present right Abbs"" John shot me a look but all I could do was stifle a grin behind my glass, John cocked his head and trying to read my face, he finally grinned, guessing that the present wasn't all that innocent. "Gather round lads, it should be a good 'en" John winked at me and I died and went to heaven...

Back to the present -concentrate!

"Here goes" Paul smiled happily at me, and, as he continued to speak, he started to rip the paper away "It's floppy like a book yea!? It's in another wrapper, brown paper now, it's like pass the parcel it isn't thought, its mine, right?!" I smiled broadly as he kept on ripping the last of the paper way, he held it high in triumph then dropped it down into the centre of us five gathered around him "Play-boy!!!" Paul shrieked then covered his mouth and every head in the room turned, Paul then attempted to save himself by laughing and calling out "Sorry, play 'boys' John"

As quick as you like John, Richie and George turned their faces towards mine and grinned like maniacs at me, then laughed loudly while Paul kept turning the book this way and that. That was until Angie came over and he folded it ever so quickly and turned away from her, this caused the lads to heckle him, and laugh, even more.

"Loverly present you have there, Paulie" George deadpanned.

"Brand new, untouched by Paul's hands .. and other parts..." John scoffed and slapped a puce looking Paul on the back.

"Would you like us all to leave the two of you alone" John said pointing from Paul to the book and back again, making me crack up finally, I had to cover my mouth so hard it was hurting to breath.

Paul was wilting under the stress of hiding the book from Angie, the boy's laughter, his wide open mouth hanging agap, a stunned mullet staring at me.

"Miss Abigail, I commend you on cracking Paul, I think you broke him" George said drolly as he looked Paul up and down as he stood stock still, the puce turning into a bright beet red colour as we watched on.

Everything was quiet and still, no one said a word as Paul looked at the book again shaking his head then staring at me, and staring at me...

....and staring at me a little more...................