Get It Straight, Or Say Good Night

Déjà vu

"Drinks at the Grapes then lads, lady?" Paul didn't wait for what he knew would be a positive answer, just turned on his heel and led the way through the semi darkened alleyways. Narrow lanes bursting at the seams with assorted small businesses jutted and squeezed together, all shut of course, but the window displays still showing off the shops variety of wares.

Louie was in the midst of the group as they marched up through old stomping grounds, pointing towards places that had a memory or two attached. John held Louie tight to his side, the night was still her foe and he wanted her to feel safe, to know she was safe with him.

"Here's to the best band in the land...."

Lou held up her glass and the boys watched on, waiting for her to continue, waiting for the usual witty joke about them.
She frowned when she realised they were waiting for a retort to the declaration, smiling she finished with the words with the truth...

"The Beatles!!"

The boys all cheered and pushed each other, all happy and buggering around. John a little quieter as he and Lou watched each other thoughtfully, waiting, wanting to find out what was to happen next.
The Beatles would trundle out of town back to London mid-morning tomorrow in a small procession of one car and one beat up, flogged out van and John still had no idea if Louise was going to be with them or not.

Drinks flowed and they all enjoyed imbibing late into the night, a few old friends showing up and having a laugh. Members of Gerry and the Pacemakers arrived, overflowing the group into the next table. They all began heckling and joking around like they used to. It was lovely but lack of time now hampered friendships old and new. Another round of bevies that Lou didn't have to shout were order up and everyone joined in to recall long tales of petty theft or what so and so was up to, or who was up the duff.

Lou fidgeted as she waited patiently, she missed Evie and was so tired, certainly not used to being out so late.

"Want to go home, Lou luv?" John whispered low in her ear as he returned from the bar, handing out the next round of drinks.

"No, I want to go back to Evie"

John sat heavily and, with slight bemusement, gazed at Louise. Wondering why she had said what she said. Was she hedging to the fact her home wasn't in Liverpool or was he reading too much into the sentence. "Isn't that home?"

Lou looked deeply into John's eye's contemplating and weighing her words, keeping his eyes held in hers, she took his hand and sat it on her knee. "No John, Evie is at my parent's house"

"Yes!!" He all but yelled and thumped a delighted palm flat on the table and Lou grabbed him from jumping up out of his seat, he still moved up and down like a loon and it had everyone in the pub gawking and staring at the noisy lad in the back corner.

"What are you jumping up and down about, crabs again John?" George looked down his nose at John and Louise glared at the pair of them, lifting an eyebrow in disgust, she tried to stand.

"I don't have fucking crabs, Harrison, the both of ya Harrisons" John looked about angrily and his gaze settled on Lou as she nibbled her lip worried at how he went off at the drop of a hat. John sighed and tried to relax. It was just a gag, no harm done "Lou is just coming home to London alright. I was just right pleased 'bout it, that's all"

"Well she has to doesn't she, seeing how Ma is kicking her out as we speak. Bags are probably stood at the front door by now" George looked at his watch, oblivious to what his revelation would incite and went back to his drink, tossing it back happily. John turned his head sharply back in Louise's direction. Was Lou just coming back to him because she had nowhere else to go. Was he being used as a halfway house?