Honey Pie (P.M)

How Do You Do?

Just as the bus was pulling into Matthew Street, John appeared by Paul's side, frantic. “Dot’s on the corner with her little mates.” He muttered. Paul looked out of the window; sure enough, standing over the road from the bus stop, was his girlfriend. “Shit…” Paul hissed, running a hand through his hair in frustration. “I'm guessing Dot's your girl?” Louise asked. "Unfortunately." John said, receiving a glare from Paul. Paul hadn't even given his girlfriend a second thought since earlier that morning. And it hadn't even crossed his mind once to tell Louise about her. Louise looked from him to where Dot was standing and then to John. “Which one of you doesn’t have a girlfriend?” She asked. “Me. Why?” George said from his seat at the back of the bus. Louise smiled. “I have an idea.”

Paul ran over the road to meet Dot, who noticed him and quickly waved her friends goodbye. “Hi Paul!” Dot exclaimed eagerly. “Hello Dot. Why were you talk to them? I thought I told you....” Paul's response was nasty and shallow, but he stopped himself; he had no time to be posessive. Bringing forth the charming attitude he was famous for, he smiled at his girlfriend sweetly. "Y'know what? Never mind. Sorry, love; I'm just a bit on edge." “Oh, that's okay, Paul. I understand. So... Where’ve you been? I called your house too but Michael said you were out.” “Oh, just went to meet John and George. We ran into Ringo and got chatting; been riding the bus on a loop for a bit while we caught up, y’know?” "Oh, right, okay. Well-" “Dot?” Paul cut her off, taking her hand to hush her. “Yes Paul?” Dot replied, her facial expression making you think she was looking at a god. But before he could talk to her, Dot gasped. “Isn’t that George?” Paul looked over his shoulder; the plan had been set into motion. Across the road, George was walking with Louise, their hands clasped around each others and their laughter filling the air. She smiled and giggled as he whispered something in her ear, and he grinned in response to her laugh. ‘Fuck, her laugh is adorable.’ Paul thought. Mentally composing himself, he turned back to Dot, who was still staring open mouthed at George. “Who is she? I haven’t seen her before.” Dot asked him. "Oh, her? That's Louise; she’s my new neighbour. Just moved in next door; met her this morning." "So how does she know George?" Dot asked, suspiciously. "Introduced her to the lads and she really hit it off with George.” Within seconds of his name leaving Paul's lips, George was beside him, with Louise still in tow. “Alright Paul?” George asked, grinning. Paul looked at him; George’s eyes were twinkling, the excitement of pulling of the plan pulsing through him. It was all just a game to George. “Hello. I’m Dot. You must be Louise, right? How do you do?” Dot introduced herself, thrusting her hand forward for Louise to shake. Louise looked at the hand like it was something she’d never seen before. Her eyes shot up to meet Dot’s, her smile just as fake as Dot’s. “I don’t shake hands, sorry. Allergies, you see. I dunno what you’ve been eating.” “You’re holding George’s hand.” “I watched him wash his. And I know what he’s been eating.” Dot’s eyes narrowed. “My name’s Louise, if that’s all you wanted to know. Anyway, George and me just came over to see if Paul wanted to go to NEMS to get some new records for my family’s moving in party next week.” Dot’s eyes shifted to Paul, who continued to stare at Louise even though she continued to stare at Dot. “Well, Paul? Are you going with them?” “Er… Yea. I’ll be helping to set up the party anyway, so I might as well help pick the music.” Dot’s mouth dropped open. Louise leaned forward and closed it. “Don’t wanna catch flies, do we Dotty? Anyway, c’mon lads. Ta-ra Dot!” Louise left George’s arm just as John and Ringo came round the corner. As Louise embraced them, Dot let out an exasperated sigh. "She knows them too? How many other lads does she know?" "Just us four, yu'll be glad to know." Paul replied. He kissed Dot's cheek lightly, before starting to back away. "I'll call you later, alright?" He called out to her, before sprinting down the street.

“Do you mind I just take Louise and…” Paul said, appearing behind Louise, placing his hands on her shoulders. John rolled his eyes and nodded. “C’mon lads. Let’s go see Cyn. She’ll be getting off work in a few minutes.” “I've got band practice, so I’ll have to pass. Nice meeting you, Louise.” Ringo said quietly, smiling sweetly at her. He waved, and ran across the road; John and George walked away, passing a lonely looking Dot on their way. Paul put his arm around Louise’s shoulders again and they walked away. Louise leaned in against Paul; he hugged her tighter, bringing her nearer to him. People gave them funny looks, almost as if they were asking themselves why he was holding a girl who was not his girlfriend in such a way. "You'll get into trouble." Louise said, noting the glances. "It'll be fine. I can take care of myself; I'm a big boy." "Big boy, huh?" Louise chuckled, and Paul blushed. "Sexual innuendos already? We've only just met." "I must like you a lot then." "I'm flattered." "You should be."