Do You Want To Know a Secret?

16. I Saw Her Standing There

"-And I'll be back in two days so remember to set your alarm for school-" my uncle went on with his luggage in both arms as he walked out to the car.

I nodded and waved. "I'll be fine Bri." I assured him with a slight shiver from the cold winter air that was blowing gently against my exposed neck and face. I could see my breath as I spoke, making it look like a cloud of smoke rising from my lips, the irony of it was almost humorous.

"I'll see you soon!" My uncle called back with a wave after shoving his things in the trunk and opening the car door. I waved once more before watching him drive away into the cloudy March afternoon. I shut the front door, walking over to my uncles calendar and scowling at the date. It was only a matter of 10 days until their departure for Hamburg.

Who knows what might even happen after said Hamburg trip, I had a bad pit in my stomach about my uncle's current trip to London to talk to this record label, EMI. Although my uncle told me they'd previously been turned down by quite a number of records labels, something about this time felt, off. I just couldn't shake the feeling that there was something changing.

Suddenly, the phone rang, bringing myself out of my anxious state.

"Hello?" I picked up awkwardly wondering who'd already been calling within minutes of my uncle's exit, if they were calling for him they'd be only moments too late.

"Poppy." John spoke solemnly. I furrowed my eyebrows at seriousness of his tone.

"John?" I crinkled my nose. He'd known my uncle was set to leave for London today, so was he calling for me?

"We need to talk." He spoke solemnly.

"John, if this is about Hamburg, I'm not allowed to go-" I started to whine rubbing my temple with my free hand. I was worried enough before this phone call, but hearing John's voice nearly sent me over the edge, ever since the boys had been put on the very top of the list of Liverpool bands in the newest issue of the MercyBeat magazine, it was finally hitting me that these boys were going somewhere further than Liverpool. They had the potential to go so far in the music industry and their determination ensured they make it to the big time.

"It's not about Hamburg." He sounded almost nervous.

"Alright, go on Lennon." I spoke genuinely intrigued by this seemingly serious John.

"The owner of the Casbah club called asking us to play at there tonight," He explained. I stayed quiet wondering where this was headed to.

"Long story short, George is being a git. I don't think he'll come unless you, um, tag along?" John's voice became progressively high pitched. I knew there was something more to the story, but I didn't question any further. I rolled my eyes but contemplated for a moment.

"Sure." I smiled but instantly regretted my response, my impulse to do things that will most likely get me into trouble was getting out of control. I sighed, well my uncle was out of town anyway, I'm sure I'd get enough sleep before school tomorrow, I tried to convince myself wearily.

"Gear." I could almost see the triumphant grin spreading across his smug face. "We'll pick you up at eight doll face." He spoke in a low husky voice.

"Shut up Lennon." I chuckled.

"Bye Epstein." John said with a sincere laugh.

"Bye John." I mumbled hanging up the phone suppressing a smile. I rubbed my hands over my face. It was already four o'clock. I knew deep down that it was likely that I'd regret this night, but I began to run up that stairs anyway to tidy myself up.

As I got into my room, I looked at the locket I'd placed on the bed and smiled, George's mother Louise had given it to me in the morning after I'd stayed the night in their guest room, George's parents were both so kind and caring, I had fallen in love with the both of them instantly.