My Fair Lady

Chapter 18 - 1964

"I still can't believe it's you. You haven't changed a bit!"

It was the umpteenth time she was hearing those words & Eliza was still processing her bafflement. She couldn't believe Iris was sitting across from her. None of the lads were as surprised, except maybe George. Paul wore his shit eating grin throughout their reunion & she was convinced he had a hand in Iris appearing out of nowhere.

"So Paul told me you flew all the way from America for their premiere?"

"I did yes. I came to cover the event for my paper", she replied.

"Oh, I forget you are a full time fancy photographer now. Working for one of the big New York papers, aren't you?"

"Well yeah."

"Ah, I'm glad. At least that helps you keep in touch with these bastards." She shoved Paul not so gently & he flashed a wounded look.

"You are a real prick Paul McCartney. Why did you never call me before? I would have liked to meet you when you were less famous you know. Your rabid fans were out to skin me alive when they saw me heading into the Pavilion!"

"Sorry love. We have been trying to escape those rabid fans ourselves. They say this is the start of Beatlemania which means-"

"It's going to get more barbaric from here on", John finished nonchalantly.

"They cut me hair to keep as souvenir." Ringo's solemn voice spoke volumes of his trauma.

"That's good ol' American aristocrats to you Ringo."

"How come I didn't see you at the premiere? Oh actually, never mind. I was busy clicking pictures myself. And the boys here-", she shot Paul a look, "-didn't think it was important to tell me about you coming."

"Because my oblivious lady, it was a surprise! I happened to be in the city when Paul contacted me. You should have seen my face when I heard his voice on the line. I shite myself there & then in the hall. Bill said my eyes went as wide as saucers!"

"And where is our Billy huh? Did you forget him at the Pavilion?"

"He's gone to meet a few blokes down the street. You know, the ones he's going to record with later this month. I hope your manager likes them."

"It's not easy to impress a man like Eppy", John quipped.

"Erm - I may be a little lost here. Who's Bill?"

"Oh, silly me! I completely forgot to show you this." She raised her hand for everyone to see the gleaming silver around her ring finger. Eliza choked on her drink.

"You married?! When?"

"It's been a few months", she grinned. "I would have invited you but I lost your address when I moved from Liverpool."

"Wait, do we know this guy?"

"Yes la', he's the bloke that drove us to Chelsea after the concert at Royal Albert hall", Paul replied.

"Unbelievable. And ye knew all along ye twit!"

"There was nothing between us then Ritchie. Any road, I'm sorry I couldn't send you an invite Liza. I missed having you there."

"You didn't invite us either", George pointed.

"I did send an invite to your office but since no one replied, I figured it got lost in the pile of fan mail. Also, my wedding didn't get mobbed due to the presence of four famous lads so that worked for me."

Paul returned the shove from earlier while Eliza just stared at the grinning blonde. She was radiating with happiness. She retained her childlike sparkle & it brought warmth to Eliza's heart. She wished they could find a quieter place with less people around so they could talk properly. Both of them had so many questions to ask but this wasn't the place.