Yesterday - Now Complete

Part 19

Paul and Annie headed to the car for the long drive back to her parent's house. As they stepped out of the door they found them snapped by a photographer.

"Hey Paul, you and Annie back together now?" he called.

Annie got into the car quickly whilst Paul saw the reported off. He got in beside her.

"He's cleared off now Annie love."

"Thanks!" Annie sighed deeply, "Well that 's going to set tongues wagging! So much for the grieving fiancee!"

"No, no one will be bothered Annie. You watch."

They chatted all the way back to Oxford then, as they reached the house Paul pulled up on the drive way.

"Thanks Paul. I know it's a drag to drive all this way but I'm am grateful."

"I know you are and I've told you I don't mind." He squeezed her hand, "Anyway I like to know you're home safe, don't I?"

Annie laughed. "I'm a big girl now Paul. I've traveled around the world on my own, I think I can find my way from London to Oxford!"

"I know," he kissed her hand, "But you're precious to me Annie. It's important you're safe."

Annie's mother came out of the house. "Where have you been?" she asked her daughter, "You could have rung to let me know!!"

"Sorry mum!"

"Hi Paul, how's you?"  she grinned at Paul.

"Good thanks. You?"

She nodded. "Would you like to come in Paul? You've had a long drive."

Paul cast a glance at Annie. He saw her shake her head slightly.

"I won't this time thanks. I've got a meeting with John  later."

"No problem." She turned to her daughter, "I'll go and put the kettle on love."

"Thanks mum." Annie waited for her to disappear. "Sorry about that Paul. It's nothing personal. Just mum and dad will fire millions of questions to try and find out what I've been doing. I'm not in the mood to explain. It's nothing to do with you love?" 

"It's OK."

"Right, I'd better go in. Thanks for helping me last night with the balloon thing. It's made a big difference to how I feel."

He smiled at her. "Good. That was the whole point of doing it Annie."

She opened the car door. "Thanks for the lift too Paul."

 She made to move. Paul caught her arm.

"Annie wait!"

She stopped and turned to face him.

"Yes?"

"You and me, are we OK? You seem a bit...well a bit distant."

She looked at him, her eyes filled with sadness. "I love you Paul but I feel totally confused at the moment. I need some space to sort my head out."

He nodded, trying to understand. "I love you so much Annie. I know the last few months have been horrendous for you. I don't mean to cause you more stress."

"I know you don't Paul." She paused. "Paul, can I ask you a favour?"

"Anything Annie."

"Without offending you, can I ask you to give me a few days on my own? Don't call or anything. There's some things I need to do on my own."

"If that's what you want then yes, of course." Paul felt his heart sink. Was this the final brush off. "Do you want me to ring you in a week or something?"

"No. No, I'll call you. Is that OK?"

He nodded slowly.

"Thanks Paul." She leaned over and kissed him on the lips. He returned the kiss. "Drive safely now Paul. I love you."

 She got out of the car and stood on the drive. She waved as she watched him drive away. She walked to the edge of the pavement and waited until his car turned our of the road then slowly walked into the house.

"Annie! Tea's brewed love!" Her father called.

Annie walked slowly into the kitchen "Actually, I'm going to go for a bath an then have a lie down mum."

"Annie, are you alright? Nothing's happened has it?"

She shook her head. "No mum. I'm just tired. Won't be long."

Annie undressed whilst the bath filled with water. Once ready, she climbed in and sank into  warmth. Despite showering earlier that day, she was aware of a faint smell of Paul on her skin. It was a comforting smell. It reminded her of their physical and emotional closeness. She closed her eyes and tried to relax. Her mind went over and over Paul's invitation to live with him, to make a family with him and the baby she carried. Thinking of the baby made her touch the swell of her stomach. She was confused. Loving Paul but feeling guilty for loving another when she should have been mourning Anthony. Uncertainty about having the baby she didn't plan and faced the responsibility of on her own.  She was afraid too. Confused and afraid.

She entered the living room dressed in a pair of pyjamas and her dressing gown.

"Feeling any better love?" her mother asked.

Annie nodded and sat on the sofa. "Yes thanks mum. I'm OK."

"Hungry?"

She shook her head. "I ate with Paul. Maybe I'll have something later."

The TV on, Annie's parents went back top watching the programme which was then followed b y the news. Annie stared at the screen, not really concentrating.

"....and finally," began the news reader, "following the tragic death of her fiance in a car crash, it appears that actress Annie McIntosh has found comfort in the arms of her former beau, Beatle Paul McCartney.  Annie was photographed leaving McCartney's house earlier today, sparking rumours that the couple are indeed close again!"

Annie sat up with a start! "NO!" she cried, "Where have they got that from!" She burst into tears and fled from  the room.

Annie lay sobbing on the bed, guilt swamping her. Guilt because she hadn't given Anthony a second thought. All she was worried about was how Paul might react at being portrayed negatively in the news. There was a soft knock on her bedroom door then her mother came in.

"Annie sweetheart. Are you alright?"

Annie looked up. She wiped her tear stained face and nodded.

"Is it true Annie love? About you and Paul?"

"No mum..well...to be honest mum, I don't know. Paul has said he loves me. He's offered me a home with him and the baby in London." More tears rolled down her face. "I said no mum. I wanted to say yes but feel as though I'm betraying everything I had with Anthony!"

"Do you still love Paul, Annie?"

She studied her mother's face before nodding. "I've never stopped loving him mum, even after what happened between us. I love him! And since Anthony he's been so caring. He lets me talk or cry about Anthony. He always listens and never judges but I feel so confused. I know it's too soon after Anthony. It's like I've moved on so soon that maybe I never really loved him like I thought I did! But I know I did love him mum! So very much!!" She began to sob. "Then I need to consider the baby! A baby I didn't plan to have! I feel completely trapped, scared and alone yet Paul offers me a away out of that! But mum, tell me how can I make important decisions when I feel angry and sad at the same time! Help me mum! Help me to understand what I need and how to balance it against what I want!!"

Annie collapsed into almost hysterical tears as her mother held her and tried unsuccessfully to offer her daughter some comfort.