One day at a time. (Part 2 of the story of Joanne and Paul. Now complete!)

Chapter 12 - 30th December 2000

Although Paul had warned her, NOTHING prepared Joanne for the press madness that descended on Cavendish Avenue after the charity event. Jo opened the curtains the following morning to find reporters and photographer encamped outside the house. She found her annonimity had vanished and suddenly she recieved a taste of what life was like for Paul, eternally in the public eye!

"How do you cope with it all?" Jo asked on the third day of being a prisoner in Paul's house.

Paul shrugged. "I guess it's just something that comes with the job Joanne," he explained, "Me. Lin and the kids. we just got used to it. I learnt very quickly that if you give them what they want then they lose interest then leave you alone."

"What do you mean? Give them what they want?"

He smiled at her. "At the moment Jo love, you're hot news. You've been seen out with me, They know you're staying here but that's all they know. They want to know about you and me. What our relationship is. Who you are. All that kind of stuff. If we gave them an interview then they'd leave us alone.Well, mostly anyway."

Joanne looked at him, deep in thought. "So, if you and I do an interview then they'll leave us alone?"

Paul nodded. "Pretty much."

"So can we? Do an interview I mean?"

Paul looked at her in surprise. "Are you serious?"

Joanne nodded. "I hate this Paul. All this fuss and not being able to do normal stuff. It's horrible!"

Three days later Paul and Joanne were sat in Paul's office at his MPL headquarters with his press officer, Stuart. He was describing to Joanne what the interview format would be and how long the whole thing would last. Jo was beginning to regret the whole idea. The prospect of being interviewed for TV terrified her! After the last check of hair and make up, Paul took her hand.

"Ready for this?"

Jo shrugged. "I'm beginning to regret the idea now," she whispered, "I'm scared of making a fool of you."

Paul pulled her into  a hug and then kissed her. "Just be yourself Joanne. Remember the interview isn't live and we'll get to see the edit before it goes out! We can veto anything! OK?"

Nodding, Joanne took his hand and let him lead her out on to the wide corridor where the interview was to be done. Lighting rigs and cameras were already in place.

"Joanne, this is Mike, a friend of mine. He'll be doing the interview."

Joanne shook hands with Michael Parkinson but felt too nervous to be in awe of him. "Nice to  meet you at last," he told her, "Paul talks about you a lot! I feel like I know you already!"

Joanne smiled, beginning to feel more at ease. They were seated in two chairs next to each other. Joanne smoothed her clothes and whispered to Paul to see if she looked OK.

"You look as beautiful as ever!" he told her softly, kissing her hand which he still held. "Just relax."

"....so here we are today in the rather grand halls of the MPL buildings in London's Soho Square. MPL being, of course, the music publishing empire of none other than Sir Paul McCartney! We're not here to discusss business though, no we've been invited here to complete a very exclusive interview with Sir Paul and a certain mystery lady."

Joanne took a deep steadying breath as the camera panned around to them both. Holding Paul's hand firmly, she smiled as he had told her and said hello.

"So Paul, let's get strainght to the point! On Friday we saw you at the Cancer Research charity night where you were a main sponsor. However, your arrival on the red carpet was somewhat overshadowed by your very beautiful companion."