Borrowed Time: Saving John Lennon - A Beatles Fanfic

Chapter 14 - WHEN I GET HOME

February 12, 1963

The bus stop near Mendips was peppered with a handful of people when Holly arrived a few minutes after 2:00 PM. Her morning had consisted of walks, trains, and bus rides. The journey began in London, then moved on to Liverpool, ultimately ending with her being deposited on Menlove Avenue. In total, Holly had spent the better part of four hours traveling from her London hotel to John's childhood home.

Holly switched her bag from one shoulder to the other as she stood in front of Aunt Mimi's home. She wasn't sure if John was inside or not. There was no car in the driveway and the gate was closed. Taking a deep breath, Holly decided to walk up and knock on the door. She had seen this house so many times in photos and it was a bit surreal to be standing in front of it.

Holly gave a tap tap tap on the door, and a moment later it opened. A blonde, very pregnant Cynthia was standing on the other side of the threshold. She wore a loose, pink caftan-like shirt and navy pants that ended just above her ankles.

"Oh my goodness, you're here!" Cynthia exclaimed. "I couldn't believe it when John told me he ran into you again."

"Yes, its funny how that worked out," Holly replied, unsure of how exactly John explained her reappearance. "It's been all these years. What are the chances, right?"

"Well please, come inside," Cynthia stepped back into the house to allow room for Holly in the small entryway. "John! She's here!"

As Holly walked inside she brushed against Cynthia's round stomach. "Just look at you! I can't believe you're going to be a mom!"

Cynthia rubbed her belly and smiled. "Yes! I can't believe it myself sometimes."

John made his way down the staircase and met the two of them at the bottom. "Aye, you found it then?" he asked Holly.

"Oh, yes. Found it with no problem."

Holly looked around noting how small and compartmentalized the house seemed compared to the open floor plans she was accustomed to. Deep red carpet cascaded down the staircase spilling out onto the narrow hallway of the main floor.

"Well, come in then. Cyn, tea?" John walked past the entryway and into the sitting room.

Cyn gave a small nod and a smile, and slipped off towards the kitchen.

Holly followed John into the sitting room at the front of the house. Three large boxy chairs all faced each other in a semi-circle around a fireplace with a simple white mantel. John had already plopped down into one chair slinging one leg over the armrest. Holly set her bag down and sat in a chair across from him. 

"I was worried you may not be here yet, and Mimi might answer the door and throw me out," Holly laughed.

"Nah," John responded, holding a cigarette between his lips and lighting it. "She's out at the farmer's market for the afternoon. She and Cyn don't see eye to eye most times so she busies herself with errands a lot."

"That must be tough for Cynthia."

"Yeah," John replied as he exhaled a puff of cigarette smoke. "Eppy gave us his flat to stay in after we got married. But with me on the road and Cyn getting close to having the baby, Mimi thought she should stay here til the baby comes."

Just then Cynthia came in carrying a tray with tea and a small plate of cookies.

"I'm afraid these are all the biscuits we have," Cynthia said with an apologetic smile. "Mimi is picking up more on her errands today."