In My Life

Chapter 51:

A nudge to the bottom of his shoe abruptly shook John awake, his blurry vision meeting the smiling face of both Paul and George.

"Rise an' shine, ya nit," Paul once again kicked the bottom of John's shoe, watching his sleepy friend slowly begin to sit up in the chair he had been sleeping in.

John stretched his arms up and above his head, his mouth opening wide as he sleepily yawned. Slowly the fatigue of a long night was seeping out of him, with his muscles feeling as weak as his energy.

"Tired?" George laughed, exhaling his cigarette smoke into the air.

"Fuckin' knackered," he groaned, finally taking a good look around the room. He took notice of the now occupied seats in the room and the faint chatter hovering around the waiting room.

Everything had seemed much busier than it was the last time he had his eyes open. 'What time was it? How long had I been asleep? Did Liv have the baby yet?' All these questions shot through his mind as he let out another loud yawn, ready to start the day.

Paul took a seat next to John, holding out a cigarette to him, "So, what is it?"

"What is what?" He held the cigarette close to the lighter in Paul's hand, staring at it in between his fingers.

"Come off it, ya know, your little one," George casually stood in front of John, trying his best not to laugh at him. He had never seen him so exhausted since he's met him and wasn't envious of the night he had.

"Oh..," John sighed, rubbing his fingers against the back of his neck, "I dunno, they wouldn't let me see her an' I've been fuckin' out of me mind worried, for Christ sakes," he inhaled the smoke deep in his lungs and held it there trapped, closing his eyes as he breathed it out.

Not only was Paul concerned for John but just as well as Olivia. Seeing the sleeplessness in John's eyes and the bags beneath them worried him of how his mood might affect the lunchtime performance at The Cavern. A little thought trickled in his mind of possibly cancelling the performance but he wasn't so sure how well that would sit over with the owner, Bob Wooler.

As the silence stood still between the three of them, Paul stared at the black framed clock - 10:27 a.m. - knowing that they would soon need to be on their way to The Cavern. After seeing how exhausted and anxious John was, he didn't dare say a word about that, seeing how that was not the thing preoccupying his mind at the moment.

Without another word to them, he quickly stood to his feet, with his cigarette in-between his fingers. The soles of his shoes met the glossy tiled floor, creating an echo throughout the waiting room.

The moment he turned the corner, he noticed a young, beautiful brunette girl, seeming to be his same age, sitting at the receptionist desk. He smiled as an idea came to his mind.

Once Paul came into clear view, the nurse smiled widely at him, "Hello sir, how may I-..," she paused a moment, as her mouth suddenly gaped wide open, "You're... Paul, right?"

Stunned and a little taken back, his expression softened, "Yes, m'love, but how is it I know your acquaintance?"

She blushed, fidgeting with the wooden pencil between her fingers, "You don't... I..," her eyes nervously met his once more, "I see you lads at The Cavern on all the nights you play," she giggled, watching a smile appear on his face, "I'm Emily."

A wide smile crept onto his face, knowing that this was the perfect opportunity to see what he could do to help John out, "Ah, pleasure and most appreciative for the support there, love," he leaned against the desk, resting his elbows on top of it, "Listen, Em, I need a favour specifically from you, love."