Yesterday - Now Complete

Part 11

May 1967.

Just over a year later.

Paul padded into the kitchen of his Cavendish Avenue home, newspaper in hand. After making a pot of tea and some toast, he settled down to read.  He read leisurely, enjoying the quiet then, on turning the page, he was shocked to find a large picture of Annie. He read the article and discovered she was getting rave reviews in a play in New York of all places! He hadn't even known she'd left London. He looked at the picture again. She looked stunning and, to his delight, she looked happy. He continued to read the article. Suddenly he stopped and his heart sank. Annie, it seemed, had been seen around town hand in hand and kissing her leading man, the American actor Anthony Randles. He stopped reading and looked steadfastly at the picture. She looked different to how she'd been when they were together. Happy, confident ...as much as he hated to admit it, it seemed Annie was much better off without him in her life.

August 1967.

Annie sat in her dressing room, there were just twenty more minutes before the show was due to start. Dressed and ready, she was sat reading to relax. There was a knock on her door.

"Come in." she called.

"Miss McIntosh," said the stage hand, "I'm sorry to disturb you but there are two gentlemen asking if they could see you."

"Not now Jack thanks."

He hesitated. 

"What is it?" she asked.

"The men say you know them both."

"I do?"

 "Yes Miss McIntosh, it's ... it's Paul McCartney and John Lennon, Miss McIntosh."

Annie hesitated. "Alright," she told the young man, "Tell them I only have a few minutes to spare before curtain up but send them in. Thanks Jack."

She stood up and smoothed her dress, wishing it was something other than a 1920's styled stage outfit. There was a gentle knock on the door.

"Come in."

The door didn't open. Instead she heard loud whispers as John tried to make Paul go first. She smiled as she heard John's exasperated comment then the door opened.

"Hiya Annie!" greeted John, giving her a huge hug. "Look at you all name in light and mega famous! Well done girl!!"

Annie laughed at his greeting. "Cheers John! You're looking good yourself! How's Cyn and Julian?"

"All good thanks." There was a pause, "Come on Mac, say hello to the girl now we're here!"

"Hi Annie." Paul smiled softly at her, "You're looking well."

"Thank you, you too." She gave him a swift hug, "It's good to see you both. What bring you to New York?"

"Work stuff." said John. "We're promoting some stuff."

Annie nodded. "Ringo and George here too?"

"No," said Paul quietly, "just us."

"So what brings you to the theatre?"

"Well Paul here wanted to see you in the play we've heard so much about! You're all over the British papers Annie love, like some Hollywood star!"

Annie laughed. "That's only because we move to London in a couple of months time. You know what promoters are like. You'll be sick of the sight of me in your morning paper soon!"

"I won't." said Paul, holding her gaze.

She was saved from replying by a swift knock on her door.

"10 minutes to curtain up Miss McIntosh."

"Thanks!" she called. "Look, I'm sorry but I need to go. I am on straight away. You'd better get to your seats if you want to see the opening."

Nodding, John headed to the door.

"Do you fancy coming for a drink with us later?" Paul asked quickly.

Annie looked surprised. "I ...I don't know."

A second knock came on the door and then it opened.

"You OK Annie love, only five min...." A tall dark haired man looked into the room, "Oh sorry love, I didn't know you had guest."

"Just some old friends." said Annie. "Look," she continued, turning to Paul, "You and John come back here after the show and we'll see if we can arrange some kind of meet up whilst you're here. Now I'm sorry I need to go!"

The play was every bit as magnificent as the reviewers had said with Annie clearly being the star of the show. Paul found he couldn't keep his eyes off her. She was so strong that even when not the centre of a scene, her stage presence was intense. He looked at the leading man...her new beau. They looked good together. He'd lost her forever, he realised suddenly. She didn't want or need him any more. He was devastated.

When the show was finally over he suddenly felt that going back to Annie's dressing room was intruding in her new life. She didn't need him around anymore, that was clear. After telling John that he was going back to the hotel, the jet lag getting to him, they left together.

Annie found herself to be upset and disappointed when she received a handwritten message from John telling her they'd gone back to the hotel, stating 'work stuff' early the next day. It had been wonderful to see them both again she told herself, knowing full well that as much as she liked John, it was seeing Paul again that had been so special.