first question... ~ Paul McCartney (1st book)

•Part 33•

October 14th 1965

It took a while for Paul's phone to answer but eventually the call connected.

"Hey Lia" he said informally.

"I'm being transferred, right now" she said placing the phone between her head and right shoulder as she packed her boxes.

"Really? To St. John's Wood?" He asked.

"Yes, I need to be gone by the end of my shift" she heaved a heavy box to the door stretching the phone cord as long as possible.

"Isn't it a bit soon though?" He questioned again.

"It is. However, Mr Miles said he's already found a new position for me somewhere else so this is only temporary" she informed him trying to lighten up the situation.

"Well that's grea..." a crackle and a rustle interrupted his sentence "Is your fridge running?" Asked an over the top voice.

"No" Amelia said knowing exactly where the joke was going.

"Damn it Amelia! You ruined my joke!" John yelled down the phone making her laugh.

"John everyone knows that joke!" She replied still laughing.

"Anyway" said Paul taking charge of the phone "I need to go now Lia, recording stuff right now and it sounds incredible! You should pop in a again sometime".

"Are you sure? I don't want to get in the way of anything" she said packing her final box.

"You never get in the way! Besides, we may need to use your lyric genius-ness or other musical contributions" he chuckled.

"I'm pretty sure genius-ness is not a word in the Oxford English Dictionary" she giggled back.

"Whatever. I'll talk to you tonight, I love you" he said.

"I love you too" she whistled back and hung up the phone.

She turned and faced the mountain of boxes that she had to carry. She sighed knowing this was going to take a while but as she was about to pick up the first box, there was a knock at her door.

"Come in" she said moving a few out of the way of the door.

"Hi there" Will said popping his head around the door.

Amelia's chirpy face fell "Will what are you doing here?" She asked checking no one in the lobby noticed him at her office.

"I was wondering if you wanted any help with the boxes? I have my car which has quite a lot of boot space" he said looking at the many cardboard boxes.

She pondered on the thought. As much as she didn't want to have anything to do with Will, it was a very helpful offer. After all, she was leaving today and probably wasn't going to see him again.

He turned an inch when she took the chance "that would be wonderful" she smiled and he did in return.

"Here we go" he said heaving one of the boxes.

It took them almost another forty five minutes to completely empty here office and she was quite ready for a lie down.

"Well, I think that is everything" she said standing in her empty office with Will behind her.

She turned to look at him "it's been a pleasure to know you Amelia" he said and held out his hand.

They shook hands formally as they smiled content with each other. Amelia was more than pleased with how their lives had turned out. She wasn't the sort of person to hold grudges but was weary of him and always wanted to be the same around each other. Her greatest fear was that she would still love him but she had moved on and found someone new. Well at least found somebody. They left her office after their goodbye.

Amelia was engulfed with celebration and farewell banners. A few party poppers cracked and cheers rose. She was receiving the prober send off she had deserved and everyone was there, even Sheila. She didn't mind that Paul wasn't there because she was surrounded by so many lovely people. She found herself walking over to Michelle, the first person she spoke to one her first day here. They were great friends but it was nothing compared to her friendship with Rachel. But she was still a significant person in her life and journey as a journalist.

Rachel ran up to Amelia, almost knocking her over, in tears.

"I know I'm acting overly hysterical but you are truly my best friend" she said and the words hit Amelia like a brick.

The tears poured out of her too making her face slippery and shiny "Your so special to me Rachel!" She said return.

"I know I've only known you a short period of your life but you've been so kind and caring to me" she said fuelling Amelia's emotions. She couldn't even speak.

"But I know you'll go on to greater things Amelia! Your a very special individual" Rachel said finally releasing her as they saw their appearance and laughed. Everyone applauded and Amelia curtsied as Mr Miles, Mr Bendal and all the staff clapped.

Amelia was overwhelmed by the sight. Why were they treating her this way? Why were they praising her so much? She almost felt embarrassed that the attention was on her.

"I'd just like to say" she said composing herself "that I've had a tremendous two years and I cant wait to see you guys again someday. When you've grown up, even if you already think you're an adult, and found what you haven't even thought you would discover about yourselves. Live your lives to their full potential and never be afraid to not be yourself."

There was silence as people gazed at her in wonder as she spoke her spontaneous speech "I will really miss everyone is what I'm trying to say" and everyone laughed and applauded once more.

Eventually, after she felt like she had wished everyone personally goodbye, Amelia walked out the London Post headquarters for the last time. Even though she was staying in the same branch, she knew it wasn't going to be the same. Especially now that she was going to be further away from Paul. She got into Wills car and rolled down the passenger window as Shelia quickly stumbled up to her.

"I'll still be at the bakery" she said winking and she smiled.

They said goodbye and Will pulled away as she waved to everyone from the building.

It felt like a lifetime when they finally reached her new building. After quickly unloading all her belongings Will said,

"Do you think you'll be able to print your own photographs now?" He smirked, she realised that even though he had matured he was still the same smug, arrogant man she knew back in 63.

"Yes I do. Thank you for teaching me" she said.

They said a quick goodbye and she went back to her new office.