The End (Beatles Fanfiction)

Chapter 41

1960

I don't worry,

Whenever skies are gray above,

Got a pocketful of rainbows,

Got a heart full of love.

"What is this granny music?" John frowned at the record player.

"It's Elvis," George said, picking up the record sleeve. "'Pocketful of Rainbows'."

Pete chuckled. "Manly, eh?" 

Mister Heartache,

I found a way to make him leave.

Got a pocketful of rainbows,

Got a star up in my sleeve.

"That almost sounds dirty," Paul mused.

Prudence looked at John, her arms crossed. "You don't like it, do you?"

"No, it's not that," John stood up off the mattress and straightened his jacket. "It just... doesn't sound very much like the King, y'know?"

Prudence let out a frustrated sigh. "Well, that can't be helped. Elvis sings what he wants to sing. I thought it was a nice gesture, but I can see it wasn't apprec-"

John cut her off with a big, sloppy kiss. The boys all jeered and shouted until the couple untangled themselves, locking eyes instead.

"Ta, love," John said softly. "It's a great gift."

Kiss me extra tender, hold me extra tight,

'Cause I'm saving your sweetness for a lonely ni-i-i-ight

George put down the sleeve and stood up. "I'm headin' outside for a smoke," he announced to no one in particular before grabbing his jacket and leaving the apartment. Once outside, he sat down on the kerb and lit up.

Tonight was the last night before Hamburg. John and Stu were hosting a little get-together at their flat, after which they planned to get drinks at the Casbah. George wasn't much in the mood, though. He would have preferred to walk the streets, taking it all in one last time. 

The door opened and Prudence walked out, wrapped in a blanket. "Scoot over," she said, and George obliged. She sat down next to him with a huff and pulled the blanket tighter around her.

"Nervy?" she asked, extending her hand for George's cig. 

George sighed and shook his head, before breaking into a chuckle. He couldn't even feign confidence for a second. "What kind of a question is that, Pru? 'Course I'm nervous."

"Don't be." Pru returned the cigarette. "You boys will be great." 

Muffled laughter came from the open flat window. Pru seemed to pay it no mind, staring out into the street. George saw the sadness in the corner of her eye. She couldn't hide her feelings too well, either.

"John's a big fat liar, by the way." George took a puff. Prudence looked at him questioningly. With a smile, George explained, "He actually really wanted that Elvis record. I reckon he was planning to nick it from the shop the day it came out."

"I knew as much," Prudence rested her chin on her knees. "The big softie."

George put his hand on her shoulder, and she turned her head to him, her cheek now against her knees. "Y'know we're gonna take care of John, right?" he said, deepening his voice to sound more... manly? He wasn't quite certain. "We won't let anythin' bad happen to 'im."