Far from home (A Beatles story)

5 - Quite unbearable

Frank didn't take an immediate liking to John. In fact, she thought he was quite unbearable. They stayed in the record shop for a further twenty minutes before they decided to head home. 

"Do you mind if John comes back with us?" Paul asked cheerfully as they exited the shop. Frank felt a sickness boil in her stomach but she couldn't bring herself to let Paul down.

"Of course not," She said shooting a smile at them both. The three of them walked home in a comfortable silence. Every now and then, one of the boys would point something out, but Frank wasn't that interested. She focused instead on the pretty little front gardens of each house. Liverpool really was a lovely place to be and this neighbourhood was much nicer than her old one.

They came to the end of Penny Lane. Frank, who had sensed an uneasy silence, turned quickly to find she was alone. Confused and scared in that moment, she looked around frantically. She spotted the pair walking over a patch of grass and towards a narrow little passage between two garden fences. She rushed up to them.

"Where are we going?" She asked Paul as she followed them down passage. It was overgrown with weeds and Frank was having trouble not tripping over.

"I just need to collect my guitar from my house, it won't take a second," John answered from a few feet ahead. Frank rolled her eyes but kept quiet,  not wanting to get on anyone's bad side.

They continued down the path for a few minutes before they came out on a wider street with larger houses on it. They crossed the road and stopped outside a cream coloured house with a black door and window frames. It looked bigger than Paul's and more grand. As they approached the door, Frank noticed a figure sitting in an armchair in the living room. That must be John's mum, Frank thought.

John fiddled with the door handle and let himself in, holding the door open for the others to enter after him. The house had a grand interior. Frank thought it looked very old fashioned but she quite liked it. John turned to the others as the door shut.

"I'll just run and grab it," He whispered. "Try not to make too much noise," He added, cocking his head towards the next room. He then turned and tip toed up the stairs. Frank was very curious about the situation. She turned to Paul and gave him a confused look. Paul just chuckled.

"He doesn't want his Aunt Mimi to hear him. They don't really get along you see, she can be a bit of a pain," Paul said in the quietest voice. Frank nodded, slightly amused by this new knowledge. 

After a few minutes, John came silently back down the stairs, guitar in hand. He looked pleased with himself. Frank and Paul turned back to the door, ready to make a quick exit when a sudden creak came crying out from the floorboard beneath John's foot. He swore under his breath and looked up at the others, an expression of terror on his face. 

The house was quite for a few seconds before a shrill voice called out from the next room.

"John! Is that you?" John's shoulders slumped and he rolled his eyes.

"Yes Mimi," He said, turning and walking into the living room. Frank and Paul followed.

The room was dimly lit by a small lamp. The furniture looked cosy and homelike in shades of brown and beige and overall, Frank thought it was very pleasantly furnished. Upon entering, John's aunt looked Frank up and down before turning back to her nephew.

"Where are you going?" She asked, her face not changing.

"Paul's house," John said simply, obviously finding the situation a bit embarrassing. He scuffed his shoes on the floor awkwardly.

"And who's your new friend?" She asked, looking from John to Frank and back again. Frank felt her cheeks heat up as the attention shifted to her.

"She's a friend of Paul's," John shrugged. "Her name's Frank and she likes Jazz," He finished with a cheeky smirk, glancing over at Frank before looking back at his aunt, who nodded and smiled at her new acquaintance.

"Very well, you may go" She said to her nephew. "But make sure you're back by Seven, we're having guests for dinner," she said sternly. John uttered a few words of thanks before turning and leaving the room quickly, followed by the other two.

They left the house together, crossed the road and off they went down the narrow path once more. A few minutes passed before Paul spoke up.

"Her name's Frank and she likes Jazz," Paul repeated John's words from earlier with a laugh. John laughed along and surprisingly, Frank fund herself laughing as well. She had taken more of a liking to John after meeting his aunt. He wasn't unbearable anymore. In fact, in a way, she found him charming. She pushed these thoughts aside and concentrated on the conversation.

"That's all I could think of saying. We just met," John defended himself, laughing more. The group emerged out of the narrow passage onto Paul's road and continued down it.

Frank was indifferent about her new acquaintance but he was definitely growing on her. She really wasn't sure how to feel. These thoughts lingered in her head as they made it back to the McCartney household and were greeted by Jim.

I'm really not keen on this chapter but I haven't updated in ages so here you go! Please comment what you think of this chapter, I really appreciate feedback!

Also, Happy New year everyone! I hope you had a great 2019 and have an even better 2020!🎉💖👌