All was well with the Beatle camp for the time being, besides the fact that their drummer couldn’t seem to be bothered to care about anything. The Cavern was the new place to be, if you had any idea where to be on a Saturday night you were there. The Beatles had a huge fan base starting out there. So much in fact that said pathetic drummer was now being stalked by numerous Liverpool birds.
"Aw look at ‘em" said John watching the crowd from the stage as he changed a string on his guitar. "They’re screaming for me Paulie"
"No they’re not" Paul chuckled "They’re screaming for Pete"
Pete gave an indecisive grunt.
"Oi, look at that one" said George pointing to a girl who was dancing with a circle of friends even though there was no music. She had a sign that said ‘The beautiful baby’ "Wonder if she’s ever been to the Kasierkeller" he laughed
"I feel dejected" Paul announced "Everyone loves Pete I think we need a new drummer, one not quite so stunningly handsome."
Another grunt from Pete as he fiddled with his cymbals
"And you Gorge, look at you ye fool, not even very good looking and already people are making you signs" Paul pulled a disgusted face "No one loves me"
Gabrielle appeared at the foot of the stage, resting her elbows near John’s feet. "Aw, quite yer whining Macca" she said, and sniffed cheekily.
"Oh, what you doin down there Gabby?" Paul laughed, he squatted down and patted her on the head, "Euh, you’re all sweaty" he commented whipping his hand on his leather trousers
"That’s because I’ve been dancing" she laughed and held her arms up in the air "Lemme up"
Paul grabbed her forearms and pulled her up on the stage. "Up you go" he announced grinning
"Thanks very much Paulie" she grinned and pinched his cheek
"Nice clothes" John commented, looking appraisingly at her short skirt and high heels "They look like Cyn’s"
"That’s cause they’re hers. She and Shaz say I don’t know how to dress myself properly" Gabrielle announced. She clapped her hands together looking very proud of this. "D’you know I’m fashionably challenged?"
"No I didn’t" John laughed and then nudged her with the end of his guitar "Ok, off you go Our break’s almost over"
"Oh hang on ya ted, I’ve got to tell George something" she stepped over an amp and grabbed his onto George to whisper something in his ear
"Oh they’re tellin’ secrets" teased John
"Shut up" she laughed, and then turning back to George said "Kay, see that girl there, the one with the sign"
George peered into the crowd, ignoring the fact that Gabrielle’s small hands were tightened around his arm like a vice. He just held onto the neck of his guitar and tried to catch sigh of the girl. He suddenly saw the blonde head bob up in the crowd "Oh yeah" he whispered "I see her"
"Ok" Gabrielle laughed and tossed her dark hair, George caught a hint of something alcoholic on her breath and grinned despite himself "We were dancing, me and her…" She trailed of
""Dormant Bisexual nature" Paul muttered
Gabrielle glared at him and then continued "We were dancing and I told her I knew you and she says she wants to meet you after you get off stage." She giggled madly "And I’ve heard all about your sexual conquests in the bloody Reeperbahn but Georgie, you feel like getting shagged tonight?"
"Eh..." George shrugged and watched her sway slightly to the music in her head while still gripping his arm. "Sure Gab, I feel like getting shagged tonight"
"Ohh goodie, I’ll go tell her" She slid down the edge of the stage and disappeared into the crowds of people.
"That girl" said John watching her go "Is completely mad…" he paused and strummed his guitar for a bit "But she’s gear you know"
"I know" George grinned "What are we playing?"
"What’d I say" said John, and they launched into the tune, John’s searing vocals making the audience cheer and dance faster.
They finished their set around midnight and the band dissipated into the crowds of teenagers. George found Gabrielle, Shaz, and the new girl sitting around a small table with pints in front of them. Gabrielle jumped up when she saw George approaching and tossed her arms around his neck. "This is Mr. George Harrison" she said, dangling from his shoulders and then pointed to the girl "This is Debbie McCormick, she thinks yer cute Georgie"
"Only cause I am" he said, sitting down next to Debbie who giggled and blushed "Hallo" he said conversationally "So how do you know my dear Gab here? Is she quite well known for only living in Liverpool for three months out of the year"
"Gabrielle snorted and looked at Shaz "Can you tell he’s happy to see me?"
"Oh yeah" laughed Shaz "Does he always show his endearing and loving friendship to you by chatting up birds when your around"
"Yes" Gabrielle nodded "Just so I’m always reminded of how much he cares"
"Look, shut up" George said, "So, Debbie, did you know I was in Hamburg?"
Debbie nodded shyly "Yes, I heard it was very scary there"
"Oh no, it wasn’t scary. I’m going back in August"
"Are you?" asked Debbie, raising her eyebrows
"You are?" Shaz asked, looking very surprised as well
"That can’t be right" said Gabby, shaking her head "You only, just got deported from there"
"I’m eighteen now," said George quickly "And we’re going to be playing the top ten club this time"
Gabrielle didn’t say anything, she just nodded and went back to sipping her drink while George chatted Debbie up
* * * *
Unfortunately Gabrielle was wrong about Debbie, she had a boyfriend and no she wasn’t interested in a casual shag.
"Well she didn’t tell me she had a boyfriend" sighed Gabrielle as she and George walked the rest of the way from the bus stop later that evening.
"I hate it when girls just act like a tease like that" said George shaking his head. Gabrielle was quiet for a while, he noticed and wondered why "Gab?"
"Hmmm…" she looked over at him and pulled her leather jacket closely around her. Well, his leather jacket but he didn’t really remember that so she wasn’t going to tell him.
"What’s wrong?"
Gabrielle shook her "Nothing, I was just thinking…"
"Bout what?" he asked
"Not much," pause" Well actually something kind of big, and I don’t know…I don’t know what to do about it"
George grinned over at her. Ah Gab, so insecure and yet so stable and comforting for him at the same time. Didn’t she realize it didn’t matter if she didn’t want to do anything in her life, all she had to do was be there for him. But no, that was selfish, she was going to be all worried about the future and he was going to be comforting this time. "What’s the matter?" he asked again, already knowing the answer,
"Erm… I was thinking about taking a year off before I go to University"
That surprised him, so much that he stopped walking and had to catch up with her when she didn’t stop for him. "What? Why?"
"You know why" she mumbled "I don’t know what to do with myself, I sort of figured it would come to me in a great vision"
And then an idea struck him "Hamburg!"
"What?"
"Hamburg you can come with us"
"Oh god" she groaned "That’s the last thing I want to do. I’d be killed or raped or god knows what and…"
"No really " George stopped walking and grasped her by the elbows so she was facing him "Come with us, it would be so great Gab! You get along with all of the band…. Well except Pete, no one gets along with Pete though. We’ll tell the Top Ten People you’re our manager and…"
"But I’m not your manager" she interrupted quickly "And I don’t want to go to Hamburg’
"Yes you do," said George, narrowing his eyes, he was going to convince her and that was it. "It’s a real growing experience, it makes you see things differently Gab, please just think about it. You wouldn’t have to actually manage us, Paul and John take care of most of the stuff like that, but you could just say you were, kind of like a…I don’t know, but it would be loads of fun"
Gabrielle gave him a hesitant look "Please? Just think about it?" he asked
She bit her lip and shrugged "Oh what the hell, you only live once"
George laughed loudly and did a little dance before he threw his arms around her waist and pulled her closely to him for a long hug. Gabrielle rubbed her face into the lapel of his leather jacket. It didn’t smell very good, like fags and cheap cologne like this one she was wearing did. She pulled back slightly "Ok, you have to promise you won’t let John or Paul try anything dirty if I’m to be living with you… oh god I don’t want to live with your lot"
"No you can stay with Astrid" George nodded "Have a girly party or something"
"Splendid, lets think about it later, I’m dead tired right now"
George hugged her one more time and when he pulled away he cocked his head to the side looking suspicious "Is this my old jacket?" he asked
"Erm…" Gabrielle pulled it tightly around her and shook her head "Course not, what you thinking of mate?"