November 17^th 1965

 

Paul closed the door behind him, feeling sick. That had not gone as he had planned. They had twisted his words, and asked the wrong questions, Paul thought. He wondered if he should go back into the room, and try and say… say what? What could he do to make it better? He had already told the truth but somehow…

 

“Mr McCartney?” The receptionist met him. Paul looked up. “I think you’ll have to leave through the back. Its madness out there…”

 

“No,” Paul said. “I can’t leave yet. I need to see George.”

 

“Er, I’m not sure…”

 

“I know, I know how it looked before,” Paul said. “But it’s not what it seems. I need to speak to him.”

 

“No, I didn’t mean… I think Mr Harrison is still being interviewed. They’ve asked not to be disturbed…”

 

“Please, it’s very important.” Paul looked at her for a moment, wondering what he could do. He sighed and ran his hand through his hair.

 

“You could wait though…” the receptionist said. She smiled. “They would have to finish sometime.”

 

Paul smiled weakly. “Yes,” he said. “I’ll wait. Please, when they do finish, will you come and find me straight away. I really must speak to George.”

 

“Of course, Mr McCartney.”

 

“Paul,” he offered. “Is there a phone round here?”

 

“There’s a pay phone in the reception, Paul,” she savoured his name. “But you can come and use the one in the office if you like.”

 

“Yes please, thanks. I didn’t catch your name?”

 

“Catherine, Catherine Robinson.”

 

“Thanks, Catherine,” Paul said. The woman smiled and led him down the corridor to a small office room.

 

“I’ll give you some privacy,” she said. “If you need me, just call.”

 

Paul nodded. “Thanks,” he said again and she left.

 

Paul lifted the receiver. He started to dial a number and then stopped. He looked at his watch. Pattie wouldn’t be back yet, he realised. If she had found him she might not come back until very late.

 

The police, Paul had realised, were looking for Pattie, but they hadn’t asked him if he knew where she was so he hadn’t volunteered the information. He wanted to speak to her first. Especially after what a pig’s ear he had made of his attempt at clearing George.

 

He hung up again and dialled a different number, hoping someone was home. He was answered on the sixth ring and just as he was about to give up.

 

“Jane?” he said.

 

“Paul, where on earth are you? What’s going on?” Jane sounded anxious.

 

“I’m at a police station. Are you alright?” Jane was just about the only person who didn’t know the reason why George had fallen out with him. It made Paul curl up with guilt every time he thought about it, or she asked why George was acting strangely, but he couldn’t bring himself to tell her. Not just yet. Paul couldn’t face the possibility of loosing Jane over this, as well as everything else.

 

“Yes,” she replied. “But what’s happened? It says on the news George has been arrested?”

 

“He’s not been arrested,” Paul said. “At least, he hasn’t been charged.”

 

“That girl – she’s…”

 

“Yeah,” Paul interrupted.

 

“And they think George killed her?”

 

“I don’t know, Jane. They might do,” he heard Jane gasp. “He didn’t though, you know?” Jane didn’t reply for a moment. “Jane, George wouldn’t do a thing like that. No matter what.”

 

“Paul, what’s been going on?”

 

Paul closed his eyes for a moment. “I can’t tell you just yet. I will, soon, but I can’t just now. Please try and understand.”

 

There was a pause and Paul’s sickness moved up a notch. “Okay,” Jane said.

 

“Thank you.”

 

“I trust you, Paul.”

 

“I know you do. Jane, I won’t let you down. It’ll be okay, I promise.”

 

“Okay,” Jane said quietly. She sounded close to tears.

 

“I need you to do something for me though?”

 

“What?”

 

“I need you to find me a solicitor… for George,” he added quickly. “There’s the number of some in my address book, I think. But… oh,” Paul reconsidered.

 

“What?”

 

“Perhaps… perhaps we shouldn’t use the same ones as NEMS uses, I…”

 

“My father knows some good law practices.”

 

“Oh, good. That would be better then. Could you send someone over here as soon as you can?”

 

“Yes…”

 

“I think all they’ve got George here is the free one the police provide people who can’t pay.”

 

“There’s…”

 

“I mean, I know George can pay but he hasn’t been able to…”

 

“Paul,” Jane interrupted.

 

“What?”

 

“Are you coming home soon, only…”

 

“Yes, as soon as I can. I have to wait to speak to George.”

 

“…There’s a man waiting here to see you.”

 

Paul rolled his eyes, “I’m not talking to anyone,” he said firmly. “Just send him off.”

 

“He’s not a reporter. He won’t tell me who he is.”

 

“Then how do you know…”

 

“They’re all outside. He doesn’t look like a journalist…”

 

Paul began to feel worried, “Jane, you’ve let him in?”

 

“Yes, but…”

 

“You’re on your own with him? Now?”

 

“Yes, but Paul…”

 

“Jane!”

 

“It’s alright. He’s told me his name. He’s called Mark…”

 

“I’m coming home.”

 

“No, Paul, wait for George.”

 

Paul stood ambivalent.

 

“I’m fine. He seems a nice man. He’s just arrived. He wants to talk to you. He say’s its very important. “

 

“Jane, I don’t think…”

 

“I’m not completely incapable, you know Paul.”

 

“I didn’t say…” Paul sighed. “Okay, I need to stay here for George,” he said. “But can’t you ask him to come back later?”

 

Jane thought for a moment, “Alright.”

 

“And, um, if Pattie calls or comes round, can you ask her to wait there for me?”

 

“Pattie?”

 

“Yeah. Tell her not to go to the police. Not yet anyway.”

 

“What? Why?”

“I can’t…”

 

“Yes, yes, I know. You can’t tell me. I’m only your girlfriend though, aren’t I?”

 

“Jane, please.”

 

She took a deep breath. “I’ll tell her. I’ll see you soon.”

 

Paul smiled. “Don’t forget the solicitor.”

 

“I won’t.”

 

“Thank you, Jane. I’ll explain it all soon, I promise.”

 

“Bye Paul.” Jane hung up.