The Nearest To My Heart -John Lennon Fan Fiction - Paul McCartney Fan Fiction - Beatles Fan Fiction

Chapter Seven - The Most Unlikely Of Places

"He took you where he knew Paul would be with his girlfriend?" Wanda shook her head.

Annette frowned. "What a terrible thing to do."

Charlie gingerly sipped her cup of coffee. "Maybe--"

Wanda shook her finger. "Don't you go making excuses for him."

Charlie looked away from the other woman's reproving stare. "I wasn't going to," She knew Wanda was coming from a place of concern. The events of last night had left Charlie feeling confused. She watched a waiter, balancing a tray of food, stride through the mostly empty hotel dining room. "I needed to see Paul with his girlfriend."

Annette spoke up. "It still doesn't make what John did to you right,"

Charlie stared into her cup of coffee, running the tip of her finger around the rim. She smiled wistfully, shaking her head. "I know that. The idea of getting involved with him. Not one of my better ideas."

Wanda's critical expression softened. "I could see why you'd be interested in him."

Charlie raised her eyebrow in mild amusement.

Wanda continued, "Much better than that other one."

"Don't forget, he ruined my date with, George." Annette pointed out.

"I can't believe he just showed up," Wanda shook her head.

"I can," Charlie replied crossly, annoyed with John's bold and shameless behavior.

(----)

George walked through the front room of his flat. He glared at John, sleeping the sofa. He walked into the kitchenette.

Ringo seated at the small table. "How did your night out with Annette go?" Ringo ate a spoonful of cornflakes.

"It was the perfect night out," George answered peevishly. "Sorry, it's not your fault." He joined his mate at the kitchen table. "The evening started off well enough. And then John showed up. He was three sheets to the wind, and legless to boot." He paused momentarily when he heard John stir on the couch. "He didn't want to go home. I brought him back here, and he didn't make it out the front room."

"Was it that bad?"

George sighed, resting his cheek on his hand. "I didn't even get to kiss Annette for New Year's." It would've made their first kiss with her even more memorable for George if they were to do so while celebrating the beginning of 1964.

"At least you've got a shot with her." John groused, having heard enough from George. "That bird likes you, spots and all."

His mouth was dry, and he felt the pain of an oncoming headache. John continued to lay prone on his back. He wasn't ready to get up and face the ugliness of the day ahead of him.

He closed his eyes, pressing his palms flat against them. Any pleasure he'd felt at springing a surprise meeting on Paul and Charlie at the Asher's New Year's Eve party was short-lived. His plans to suss out what was going on between the pair failed.

(----)

"Girls," Howard called out from the other side of the dining room, wiping at his sweaty forehead with a handkerchief.

The loudness of his voice garnered the attention of the handful of guests enjoying their breakfasts.

Charlie sighed, briefly ducking her face behind her hand. Howards's lack of manners was embarrassing.

"The arrangements have been finalized," He joined them at the table, trying to flag a waiter over with his damp handkerchief. "You'll be going into the studio tomorrow morning at eight."