If I Fell

~58~

"Warm enough Abbs?" John pulled the big coat up over my scarf and buttoned the top clasp, fixing his own then quickly pulling down his cap tightly on his head.

"Maybe strolling at midnight isn't the sanest idea Johnny"

We were dropped at Carnaby Street to look in all the dressed windows that were deliciously Christmassy themed. Covered in tinsel and lights, baubles and glitter. One gloved hand lonely the other tucked deep in Johns coat pocket entwined together with his, our fingers snuggled warmly.

"But look how the streets are clear of mobs, luv"

"Arrr yes and the doors are all shut, much cheaper shopping that's for sure" I laughed and dragged John to the next dress shop window display "Oh look at that, I like that. Do you like that?"

"It's ok but I don't think it would go with me legs, luv"

"Not for you silly"

"Paul? Nah, he has knobbly knees" John caught my hand before I smacked his arm at the silly comment.

Lighting a smoke John glanced around at the surroundings, I made note of the shop to myself thinking Pattie would like to have a look at the new fashions with me sometime soon.

"Come on there's the theatre. That horror movies on, the one in the lagoon" John held my elbow gently and we stepped out to cross the street. The road was icy and we almost fell.

"Well horror movies are alright but don't you go crying on my shoulder when you get scared" I giggled as we sought the ticket office window.

"As long as you're cuddling me, I'll be fine Abbs, you know that" John got two tickets and we sat inside the door waiting for the usher to open up the cinema for the next showing.

We were kissing to keep warm. Cause Johns kisses are the warmest. They always wind heat from my toes all the way to my ears. "Abby you have goose bumps on your earlobes!"

"Well sort them out mister kisser"

John laughed quietly then nibbled and kissed my goose bumps away, me sighing contentedly as he did so.

"You are a most amazing kisser, Johnny" I whispered, opening my eyes as I heard people starting to file out of the theatre from the last session.

He never surfaced though, mumbling "I aim to please" into my neck, only leaning back upon hearing the ruckus of a half dozen young couples laughing overly loud then three of the boys crashed into a large cardboard movie display "Ugh, hope they are off 'ome .... noisy louts" John tittered and I tried to stifle a laugh behind my gloved hand, he was the biggest silliest lout of them all, I was mock glared at then he grinned broadly. "Don't be cheeky Abigail"

We watched the movie through half hidden eyes, snatching scary scenes through gloved fingers, popcorn munched and shared, and lots of tender kisses stolen. I can't remember the first half of the movie that's for sure and only snatches of the second.

The night was wonderful and we did have fun roaming the mostly deserted streets, snow began to fall and we stuck out our tongues to catch the nights first flakes, the street lights amplifying the glittering icy waterfall wonderland.

That was our only midnight foray as the boy had to have rehearsals for the rest of the month for the Christmas Concerts.

I watched them progressively ramp up the intensity of rehearsals as the start date bore closer, Brian making sure the venue was perfect, the equipment shining and functioning. The boys had full run through's, suit fittings, mobs to evade, interviews and photo sessions to navigate.

The days leading up to Christmas had me lonely but not bored. The house became a Christmassy vision of tinsel, miniature north pole village on the mantle and glittery baubles hung in a large tree with my few bought and wrapped gifts placed haphazardly underneath. The kitchen was full of wonderful aromas with me cooking many rich puddings and heavy fruit cakes some for us, some for gifts, sausage roll production lines ran closer to the day and just keeping up with the bands unfillable stomachs was a feat.

It was really beginning to feel like a wonderful Christmas time.