My Fair Lady

Chapter 7 - 1964

It was Neil's voice that made her jump. How she had never noticed him hovering close by was beyond her comprehension.

"I knew it!" he exclaimed with joy. "I knew it was her the moment I heard her voice & saw her hair.!

"Is it then? Is that Doolittle?" Another voice called out & there was no mistaking Lennon's nasal tone.

"Of course it is", Paul was beaming down at her fondly. "Hand me my silver pounds John, I won this one. Also, good luck sleepin' in Georgie's room tonight."

Collective laughter broke out & Eliza smiled hesitantly. She had no clue what was going on.

Paul suddenly pulled her into an embrace.

"I'm glad to have found you Liza", he whispered against her ear. "I'm glad to have found a part of home in America."

"Oi Macca! Put her away this instant so I can get meself a proper look."

It was safe to say the bumbling blonde John had had previously in his arms was long forgotten. Maybe it had something to do with those silver pounds Paul mentioned.

"Bugger off mate, I'm savouring this moment for as long as I can."

Paul pulled away from the embrace, still wearing that same fond smile her revelation had brought on. She stared back, a familiar shy smile gracing her features. In the peripheral of her vision, she saw Neil abruptly walk away before he could properly reunite with her.

John however had climbed atop the sofa. He crawled his way to Paul on all fours before sprawling his lean body over his knees & leering exaggeratedly at the bemused Eliza.

"Let's see here." She saw his eyes glint with mischief. He removed his specs & squinted at her like she was the most complex antique he found at the museum.

"Aye no, this can't be that bespectacled ugly, gormless duckling we left in the old 'Pool. Iris never mentioned ye doing a photo-clicking job here in the States!"

"And when did you last speak to her, John?" Paul asked.

"Right before she moved to bigger loins Paulie", he cackled.

She observed how even in the dark, Paul's cheeks flushed at that remark.

"Never thought the next time I'd see you, you would be in Paul's lap, Doolittle. Won't Hazza be thrilled to see you here?" 

Eliza shifted uneasily in her seat. She didn't know what to make of that question. It seemed to be laced with Lennon's brand of sarcasm & she didn't wish to prod it. 

Meeting George, although a very appealing thought just made her queasy.

"It's good to see you lads", she spoke, ignoring his question & eyeing the duo alternatively. "I didn't think you'd remember me honestly."

"Nonsense, love" Paul's arm snaked around her waist as he looked down at her with a coy smile. "I happen to have the sharpest memory of the lot & so I bet on the fact that an Eliza Roberts was hiding in that crowd during the press meet."

He blew into his nails then with an aura of "it-was-no-big-deal" & looked back up at her. 

"Now John's won himself an empty treasure chest & a night of sleeping in a terribly sick lad's room."

"I only agreed 'cause you promised Jane Asher to me for a night."

Paul sniggered at this. "And your daft brain really thought I would. By the way how's Cyn doing these days?"

John narrowed his eyes at this while Paul simply laughed. It was obvious a nerve had been struck there.

"Put a sock in it Macca. Point is she's here innit? Not for you, not for me, not for Neil even but for her childhood love. Innit, Liza love?"