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

Chapter 22 - 2nd March 2002

Paul was discharged from hospital fours days later. Joanne sat with him as his consultant explained his list of 'do's and don'ts' before his next outpatients appointment. Paul watched in amusement as Joanne wrote everything down. No stress, nothing to exhert himself, short walks, careful diet.

"What about sex?" said Paul suddenly.

"Paul!" Joanne flushed with embarressment!

"A important question Mr McCartney." The consultant smiled, "But I'm afraid no sexual intercourse allowed."

"Seriously?" Paul looked dismayed.

Again the consultant nodded. "And by that I mean ANYTHING that results in an ejaculation Mr Mccartney, as this leads to  an increase in blood flow and heart rate. I'm sorry!"

Paul looked at Joanne, his disappointment written all over his face. "So my fiancee comes to spend time with me, unexpectedly, and I don't even get to show her how much I love her!"

Joanne smiled sympathetically. "We'll get by Paul. We've done it before love."

"I suppose."

An hour or so later, bags packed, after thanking the staff for their care, Joanne and Paul headed for the car.

"The press are still around," Joanne warned, "They'll want you to speak to them."

Paul nodded. "I've got it all prepared in my head. The doctor told me they were still here. He even offered to speak to them on my behalf."

"That was nice of him."

Paul nodded. "I know, but I thought it would be better to do it myself." He took her hand as they stepped outside, "Stay with me," he whispered, suddenly nervous, "I need you!"

Joanne looked at him. She could see the tiredness in his face and looked anxious. She squeezed his hand then watched as the Paul she knew instantly transform into PR Paul!

"Paul! Paul! How are you?"

"Have you had a heart attack!"

Paul stood still and held up his hand for silence. "Thank you," he said quietly, "I know my lovely lady here made a statement several days ago to explain why I had been hospitalised. Since then, as you can see, I've been through surgery and a recovery process and I'm now well enough to be discharged."

"How are you Paul?"

Paul smiled. "I'm feeling great," he said honestly, "Feeling so much better but I know I've got to go through a further recovery period before I'll be returning to work of any kind. The doctors have continued to assure us that the blockage has been totally cleared and the bloodflow to and from my heart is normal." He wrapped his arm around Joanne's waist, "So what I'm looking forward to now is time at home with Joanne and my family. Taking time to relax and take things easy like I've been instructed,"

"What about your planned tour Paul, starting in July, will that still go ahead?"

"Medically, there is no reason why I won't be well enough, but obviously I need to wait for the final word from my doctor. Right," he said decisively, "That's all for now. I'm going home to spend some time with my wonderful fiancee. I'd like to say another big thank you to the nurses and doctors who have looked after me brilliantly!"

With that, he pushed his way passed the journalists and headed to the car that was waiting for them both.

Once back at Cavendish, Joanne stood and watched him. He looked around the kitchen and smiled.

"At one point I began to wonder if I'd ever see this place again." he confessed quietly. Joanne nodded but remained silent. He looked at her. "I did a lot of thinking when I was lying in my hospital bed."