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

Chapter 14 - 5th February 2002

Thankfully it was Friday. Better still, it was half term Friday! Joanne thought to herself as she pulled onto her driveway. Cutting the engine, she noticed a light coming from the house. Suddenly the grinning faces of Grace, James and Luke peered at her. Joanne laughed then got out of the car.

"Happy Birthday Mum!" cried Grace, hugging her tightly.

James and Luke greeted her with similar enthusiasm then led her into the house. Once in the kitchen Grace sat Joanne down and gave her a glass of champagne. Jo looked puzzled.

"What's all this for?" she asked, "I thought it'd be pizza and monopoly as usual?"

"Well, plans have changed mum," smiled James, "So first of all you're going upstairs with Grace to pack a case."

"Pack? Why?"

"Because in half and hour there's a car coming to pick us all up and take us to the airport!" James grinned at her.

Joanne looked even more surprised. "Where are we going?"

"France!"

"France?"

"Look mum, come and pack and I'll explain everything!" Grace urged her mother upstairs. Jo did as she asked but before she could start any packing, her phone rang.

"Hello!"

The sounds of Happy Birthday came down the phone, sung by a very familiar voice.

"Paul!"

"Hello my love!" she heard excitement in Paul's voice, "Trust you to come in late on half term Friday! Right, you need to do exactly as Grace tells you and I'll see you in just over two hours!"

"I'm coming to see you?"

Paul started laughing. "Of course! You're here for the whole half term week! My birthday surprise to you!"

"Oh Paul!" Joanne began to cry, she was totally overwhelmed by the whole thing!

Several hours later she was taken to the stunning Hotel Fouquet Barriere in Paris. As she climbed out of the car, a smartly dressed concierge held her door. He greeted her in both French and English then turned to  a colleague and informed him that she was to be shown to Sir Paul McCartney's suite. Joanne turned to the James, Grace and Luke who just grinned at her.

"Paul's waiting to see you mum!" said Grace, "Go on. We're going to our rooms then we'll be up to  see you both later. It's all been arranged."

Nodding, Joanne followed the second concierge into the hotel. The luxury of the place left her speechless! Climbing into he lift, Joanne tidied herself as much as she could. The lift stopped and the doors slid open. Standing by the lift was Paul. He swooped onto Joanne and threw his arms around her.

"Oh Joanne, my sweet sweet love, I've missed you so much!"

He kissed her deeply and passionately. Finally, he let her go. Joanne, overwhelmed by his welcome, looked at him, tears rolling down her cheeks.

"Hey what's wrong?" Paul looked at her in concern.

She shook her head. "Nothing," she said softly, "I'm just so overwhelmed by you,  by all this." She waved her hand across the room. "I was expecting a quiet night with my children and instead...."

Paul's face fell. "I'm so sorry," he whispered, "I only meant this to be a surprise. I love you Joanne. I thought this would be a lovely way for us to see each other. Grace thought you'd like it when I asked her for her opinions. I'm so sorry. Forgive me my love. I'll get one of my staff to organise a return flight for tomorrow if that's what you want."