(*Author's note: I apologize for how crappy this chapter is. All I want to do is get to the good parts but it doesn’t happen for a few years so I am trying to rush things along a bit. Please be patient! I know I take forever to update but you will love what I have coming in chapters to come :))

Emma’s New Year’s resolution was to stay away from Paul and find herself someone else to keep her away from Paul. And she found that man just a few weeks later.
It was at a record release party thrown at Brian’s flat. His name was Patrick Mitchell, and he was a studio musician. Emma was immediately attracted to his piercing blue eyes and amazing charm. Before the party had ended, Patrick and Emma had left, going to a small all-night café, where they stayed until the early hours of the morning.
Emma found out a lot about Patrick that night. He was 29 and had been a studio musician for six years. He played mostly guitar, but if the need may be, he could play just about anything. He liked his work. He got to do what he loved and play many styles. Someday he wanted to be a producer. He was born in Manchester and came to London when he was twenty. He had just ended a three year relationship six months ago and was just now getting back into the dating scene.
Emma couldn’t keep her eyes off of him as he talked. He was gorgeous. Aside from his blue eyes, Emma loved his smile and the way a piece of his auburn hair fell into his eyes. She went home with Patrick that night.

"So tell me about Patty," John teased Emma. She was over at his house. "Is it serious?"
"Don’t call him that!" Emma laughed. "I don’t know if it’s serious. We’ve been going out for three months now and I like him a lot. He makes me laugh."
"Is he good in bed?"
"John!"
He grinned. "How come you haven’t brought him to meet any of us?"
"Do you even need to hear the answer to that?" Emma asked.
"No!" John laughed. "Cyn says he’s nice."
"Yes, he is."
"But?"
"He’s moving too fast. He’s asked me to move in with him! After only four months! I know I’m not ready for that. I don’t even know if I love him."
The relationship ended in July. Emma didn’t love him and Patrick couldn’t be with her if she didn’t.

"Well," John anticipatedly asked. "What do you think?"
Emma sat there with her mouth open. "This...this is the most brilliant album I have ever heard!"
"You’re not just saying that?"
She shook her head. "I have never been more serious in my life." Looking up at John, she raised an eyebrow. "When have I ever lied to you? You know I tell you what I think."
"I know."
"And this cover! So many people."
"Look who’s in the top left corner," John instructed her.
Emma’s eyes moved to the top left corner and filled with tears. She looked up at John. "Stuart."
"We promised never to leave anyone behind. I don’t back away from promises."
Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band turned out to be a huge success, gaining critical acclaim from the Beatles' piers and the press, hailing it a true masterpiece.

Late in August, Brian surprised Emma with a trip to Italy with him.
"We never get to spend any time together," he had said.
They spent a lovely week in Rome, being tourists.
"I’m planning on a Christmas show," Emma told Brian on their last night together. They were lounging on the balcony of their rented Tuscany home that overlooked the sea.
"And what is the theme?"
Emma laughed. "Is there ever a theme to my shows? God, I am so surprised that any one cares about any of my work. It's so varied."
"You have amazing talent, that’s why. You should never question your success. Every bit of it was well earned."
She looked over at him and smiled. "Thanks to you. Sam was a good manager, don’t get me wrong. But he wasn’t capable of handling the international market. You got people interested. I would be nothing without you. Any of us. You are the glue, Brian."
Brian rolled his eyes and laughed. "It had nothing to do with me."
"It did. And even if you won't admit it, we all know the truth."
Brian got quiet and Emma knew what he was thinking about. She reached over and took his hand. "They still need you, Brian. Just because the touring has stopped doesn’t mean that your job as a manager has stopped."
Brian smiled and squeezed her hand. "Thanks, Emma."
Emma smiled back. "And besides, I will always need you."

They returned on a Thursday. They hugged and made plans for lunch Tuesday afternoon and then parted, telling each other they loved one another. Brian was going out to his country estate and Emma headed back to the city. The Beatles were off to some lecture with the Maharishi.

Emma received a call on the afternoon of August 27, 1967 from Alistair Taylor, an employee of Brian’s. Brian was found dead in his London flat due to an accidental drug overdose.
Emma couldn’t believe what she was being told. Another friend was dead.

Emma attended Brian’s funeral, though none of the Beatles except Ringo did. It was absolutely heartbreaking to her. She had been with him just days before. The newspapers were splashed with headlines that Brian had committed suicide. That was absolutely ridiculous. Suicide was not something Brian would do.

Emma went on with her life the best she could. Unable to even think of replacing Brian, she decided to take charge of her career, becoming her own boss, as did the Beatles, for the time being anyways. They began production of a movie, Magical Mystery Tour, that was going to be aired on Boxing day of ‘67. Emma hung around the set taking pictures and just trying to forget the bad things that just kept happening to her. She managed to put on a happy face. The movie turned out great. One big psychedelic trip.

Apple Boutique was open on December 7. Emma attended the opening party.

Then she was hit with a blow. The engagement of Paul McCartney and Jane Asher was announced.

The next day Emma had her bags packed with plans to get as far away from London as possible. She stopped off at the Beatles’ offices and left John a note:

John, I am ashamed at myself for doing this. It seems to be my habit to run away when things get too tough for me. I have to get away from London for a while. I’ll be okay where I am heading.
Emma.

Emma went up to Lake Manitoba, to her family cabin. It was a beautiful spot right on the beach. There were no distractions for her. No telephone, no radio, no television and no newspapers. All she had were her books, her paint supplies, and her old record player with quite the supply of records.
Emma needed this. She needed the distraction and the time to think. And that is what she did...for two months...and then she got a visitor...