“Ten bob” the Cab driver said, cracking his gum loudly. Paul leaned forward and paid the cockney with a pat on the shoulder. The Cabbie winked suggestively at Paul and watched through the rear view mirror as Paul climbed out of the Taxi and attempted to help Gabby out.
She shook his hands off “Sod off”
Paul laughed “What? You’re the one wearing impossibly high bleeding shoes. Just thought I’d ‘elp you a bit, luv.”
“Right” She gave him a look and then looked down at her black stilettos pumps. Maybe they were a bit high. And pointy. But oh well, because her calves look great.
Paul slung his arm around her shoulder, he was still wearing his black and gray three piece Beatles suit from earlier. Gabby had chances from trousers to a gray wool mini with a lovely little frill bit that she wasn’t sure about the technical name for.
“You know what, Gabby” he said, leading her up to the building “This is our first date”
“It’s not a date” she said quickly “I’m not your girlfriend or your date. We’re just having some dinner”
Paul shot her a wounded look “Still” he said “It’s the first time we’ve had a bit of a going out on our own thing. Without everyone, I mean.”
“No” she said, shaking her head and then smoothing out her hair as it ruffled up against Paul’s suit jacket. “We went down to the pub once when I was sixteen. Just us.”
“Ah yes” Paul laughed “Down the pub when we’re too young to drink”
“How I do love to drink” she giggled
They were seated near the back. Gabby quickly realized Paul was tipping everyone he came into contact with quite heavily. She thought at first he was just doing it for show, bit then at the nervous look he got when the Maitre D’ suddenly recognized him…. Maybe not.
“All right?” she asked
“Yeah” Paul smiled “Just… you know, don’t want it leaked to the paparazzi and that. Besides, we don’t want to be interrupted.”
“Yeah” she agreed, taking a sip of her wine. They talked about living in London, and having an actual job, and having actual money, and how short her mini skirt was. They didn’t talk about Jane though, which Paul carefully avoided in conversation.
They were interrupted then, by a small girl with red hair and a button nose, a fur coat around her shoulders and a little red leather book and fountain pen in her hands. She was beaming at Paul.
“you’re him aren’t you” she spoke like she’d been raised inside a palace. “You’re Paul McCartney?”
“Um, Yes” said Paul slowly, a grin spread out across his face. “And what’s your name”
“My name’s Vanessa” she said, raising her chin proudly “And I’m on holiday in Europe. I’m from New York, you know. And anyway I saw you on television and I was wondering if I could have your autograph?”
“Sure, luv” Paul winked and took the little book from her. Vanessa practically melted into her rich little girly shoes when he gave her a hug and a kiss on the cheek and sent her off.
“Aww…” Gabby sneered “How sweet”
“She was sweet” said Paul “Bit of annoying American, but sweet none the less”
“Right” Gabby nodded “Since you obviously don’t want to talk about Jane, I’ll talk about Jane”
Paul looked down at his olive oil streaked bread plate “Come ‘ead, Gabby” he muttered
“Bleeding Christ Paul, she seemed fine. Why didn’t you tell me about her?”
Paul’s head shot up. “Eh?” he said and then cleared his throat “I mean. What?”
“No, ‘eh’ is fine, Macca” Gaby grinned, she tugged on a lock of his hair gently “I mean, we scousers, we do say ‘eh’ it’s fine. And we piss and drink and say daft things like, cor bloody blimey, me gaf’s on fire, ta.”
“Ah, someone missed Liverpool” Paul laughed
“Not Liverpool, son.” She winked “But me mates. Paulie, you’re my mate, know what I mean? You’ll always be my friend no mater what’s happened with us. Whatever weird shit goes on. And fuck me, if you want to go date some gorgeous model bird who’s ten times to good fer the likes of you then bloody do it without looking like ye got yer hand caught”
“Was I acting that guilty?” Paul asked sheepishly
“Oh, aye”
“Aye” Paul nodded, agreeing. “So… where does that leave us”
“Friends” Gabby grinned “That’s all we’ve ever been”
** Four Hours Later**
Gabby’s handbag fell to the ground just as the elevator pinged at their stop. Paul shoved her into the wall with one hand and blindly pressed buttons along the panel with his other. Several pings later they were riding along, with stops at each floor.
“No” Gabby gasped “Paul, we have to get to your hotel room”
“Bloody Christ” he rasped, his mouth on her throat “Oh god, Gabby”
“Yeah, but… Paul” he covered her mouth with his, fingers pressing in to her sides, and his knee going between her thighs obtrusively.
Paul broke away suddenly, leaving Gabby ravished and rumpled and half way up the elevator wall with her legs spread and her eyes blurry. “Wha.. what?” she stuttered. “Have you gone mad?”
“Yes” Paul laughed shakily as he pressed the correct button on the wall. They road in silence to the top and Paul reached for her and drew her into his arms. Gabby found herself locked in his embrace, her arms clamped to her sides and his chin resting on her head.
The elevator opened and a little old lady spotted him “Oh” she said “How cute. Obliviously she didn’t notice the raging bulge in Paul’s trousers. That wasn’t so cute. They shuffled past her and down the hall. As soon as Paul’s key clicked into the lock the door was opened, closed, and Gaby was slammed against it with Paul undoing buttons and unzipping zippers.
His mouth left hers briefly and found her collar bone, leaving little wet kisses up her neck and to her ear. “Oh Gabby, oh god, oh god, I love you, I love you”
She ignored that little declaration for the moment.
