Around 9:00 a.m. just as I went into the kitchen to start breakfast, I heard someone walking around the front of the house, quietly calling my name,
" Angelina, Angelina, where are you, are you awake? "
It was a sleepy George, tiptoeing around looking for me, dressed in his black velour robe and matching slippers. Even first thing in the morning, with sleep-tossled hair, he was a handsome sight to behold. Noticing the bundle of clean clothes and shave kit in his arms, I said, " Good morning, George, what can I do for you? "
He said almost apologetically, " I don't want to be a bother, but do you have a bathtub, anywhere in your house; you see overnight my muscles get so cold and stiff, that it's like rigor mortis sets in, and only a hot bath helps to get me going in the morning, a shower doesn't quite cut it. "
I chuckled slightly at his comparison, and said, " Oh dear that must be awful, I'll have to put more quilts on your bed and turn the heat up in your room, so you stay a little snuggier. I'm so sorry you were cold. Heavens I don't want you to freeze to death! "
" No, no, it's not your fault, I've been like this all my life, I don't really know why, but I guess it's just my metabolism slows down to a near death crawl and I just ice up, it takes the better part of the morning to thaw out and get into this body and rattle those pots and pans. "
" Oh dear, you poor little popscicle, follow me and we'll get you into a nice hot bath and thaw out your tootsies."
Following me into the bathroom, between my office and the kitchen, George laughed at my metaphor.
" A little popscicle, that's what I feel like, that or a human ice cube. I'm so glad you've got a tub."
" Here we have a nice large clawfoot tub you can stretch out in," I said as I began to run his bath water.
" I feel so bad that you are freezing. I can see the headlines now, Beatle George freezes to death in American bed and breakfast - owner imprisoned for accidental homicide! "
Laughing he said, " Oh, stop, your being over dramatic, it's not your fault I tell you, I'm like this every morning, no matter where I sleep, even at my own home, I'm just a coldblooded preson that's all. So don't fret over me luv, I'm not going to die on you or anything, O.K.?"
Grinning I said, " O.K., if your sure. "
" Yes, I'm sure and thanks for running my bath, you are very kind. "
"Oh, thank you and your welcome, that's the least I could do, after all."
I showed him where the towels and washcloths were, then exited to the kitchen to begin breakfast.
As I was chopping up vegetables and fruit, making juice, tea, coffee and generally banging around the kitchen; I could hear George happily humming and singing away. Amoungst all my noise, I could tell that he was singing the words to " I Need You", " Love Me Do " , " You Like Me Too Much ", " From Me To You ", and even one of my favorite Cole Porter songs, " True Love ". I thought, gosh , I love his sultry voice, this is like a private little concert! Then I got to thinking, h-m-m-m, I wonder if he's singing to me, my next thought was gee, girl, you are a dreamer!
I was just pulling my breakfast casserole out of the oven when, George fresh from his bath, walked into the kitchen; dressed in blue jeans and a burgundy, poplin, long sleeved shirt, with the cuffs rolled back, he looked great.
" Well Frosty, do you feel a little warmer?
" Yeah, now all I need is a little warm food in my tummy and I think I'll survive. M-m-m whatever you're making smells yummy! "
" Thank you, do want to sample some? "
" Oh sure, could I ? "
" Sure, here's a fork and be careful it's just out of the oven, so it's very hot. "
He set his robe, slippers and shave kit on a chair. After scooping up a bite and blowing on it to cool it, he tasted it and said,
" Oh, gosh, that's really good, what is it ? "
" I call it English Breakfast Casserole, it's got, potatoes, onions, cheddar cheese, tomatoes, sausages and spices in it; I know Ringo has a sensitive stomach, so I made him some without onions. "
" He'll like that. " said George, " May I have another bite? It's so good and I'm starving. "
" Go ahead, just don't tell the others that you got preferential treatment. "
He laughed and asked what else was for breakfast. I told him, fresh fruit, apple cinnamon muffins, orange juice,, milk, tea and coffee.
" Wow, no worries about going hungry here," he said with a smile.
" Nope, I feed all my guests until they pop or cry Uncle! " I chuckled.
" Hey, where did you learn to cook like this? "
" I picked up a lot from my Mom, I was in an 4-H cooking club, and I took every cooking class they offered in school, I love to cook and I especially like to bake, it's so fun. "
" Well, you've got my stamp of approval, " he said, smiling again.
" Thank you; one Beatle approves, three more to please, I hope they're as easy to please as you. "
" Oh, those buggers will eat anything. "
" I hope they will. " I said, " You can sample anything else you like too, I don't mind. "
" Ta, I think I'll try one of those muffins; you have any butter? " He asked, as he leaned across in front of me to reach for the muffin. He got very close and he smelled so good.
As I handed him the butter, I just had to say, " " M-m-m, you smell good, what's that you're wearing? "
With a slight blush he smiled and said, " Oh, that's just me aftershave. "
" What kind is it? "
" It's just that green stuff, I think it's called Skin Braser. "
" Well, it really smells good. "
" Ta, " he said grinning.
" Ta, I love British slang and the accent, I could just listen to that accent all day, it's kind of addicting to me, I'm a big time Anglophile, I hope you don't think I'm too weird, if I just sit and listen to you guys talking, it's just fun for me! " I said, smiling.
" You're funny, not weird", he said. Then he asked if he could help me with anything, seeming to be enjoying my company, I knew I was enjoying his company!
I said, " Sure, if you want, you can keep singing in the bath every morning when I make breakfast. "
His cheeks flushed a bit and with a questioning grin he said, " You liked that then? "
" Of course I did, I mean who else has a cute Beatle singing in her bathroom, every morning?"
He smiled again and said, " Well, I like to sing in the morning, it helps me wake up, I'm glad you don't mind. "
" Mind? I love it, you have a very good voice and it is soothing to listen to, not irratating. "
" Soothing, huh? There's some that have said that I have a poor or weak voice and can only sing in two octives if that! "
" No. "
" Yes, they have, it's kind of depressing, but I just do my best and it's nice when somebody appreciates it. "
" Well, I do appreciate you and your most excellent voice squire, " I said, ending with a giggle.
" Oh, I better stop talking to you, my head's gonna swell to the size of a beach ball if I keep listening to you. Then you'll have to oil the doors to get me 'ead through! " He said, grinning.
" No, don't stop talking to me, I've enjoyed talking with you! " I pleaded.
" Me too, luv. "
" So, I'll try not to embarrass you anymore with my compliments. "
" Oh, I'm just joking, really. "
" O.K.; You're a pretty humble person aren't you? "
" I try to be, I hate my ego, I don't always succeed though, I catch myself on little ego trips now and then and I try to stop. "
" That's one thing I like about you, you aren't an egomaniac. "
He grinned as he got down my bottle of cooking oil and set it down on the counter between us.
Smiling, I asked, " What are you doing? "
" Just having it handy, in case I become a balloon head. "
" You're so funny," I said. Then teasing him on I added "Another of your fine qualities. "
" Here. " He said, offering me the oil bottle, "Just dump this on my head, I think I need it! "
I laughed and taunted him more, " I could go on you know? "
" I know that's what I'm worried about; you have any ice? I might need that too! " He said, giggling too.
" Oh my, we better stop or we'll wake the others, " I said, trying to quiet my giggles.
" Ah, so what, they need to be getting their bums out of bed for breakfast anyway; unless they're gonna let me have it all! "
Busting out laughing again I said, " Oh no, then your stomach would blow up like a beach ball too! "
" Oh heavens, wouldn't I be a sight, waddling around here with a swollen head and overstuffed gut. " he giggled, as he demonstrated how he would waddle about with his eyes bugging out and a bloated look to his face.
I was laughing so hard at his silly antics that I was bent over clutching my stomach. I tried to quiet down and regain my composure, but as soon as I stood up and looked at him again, he started up his antics again, with even more animation then before. I couldn't take it anymore, I was laughing too hard to keep standing, so I sat down, on the floor, leaning my back against the cupboard doors, and laughed so hard that tears were rolling down my cheeks.
" Oh stop, please stop, you're killing me! " I begged.
" O.K. I'll stop, I don't want you to blow a blood vessel or something from laughing so hard, "
We both laughed more, but finally I was able to take some deep breaths and wipe the tears away.
" Whoee; man, I thought I was gonna pass out there for a minute! "
" Yeah, you'd go and pass out, and it'd be my luck, the lads would come down about that time and accuse me of not putting on my deoderant!", He said, giggling more.
" You are a riot, you are so darn funny, you could be a comedian. " I said through much laughter. " Who do you get your sense of humor from, is your family funny too? "
" Yeah, my familiy is funny but everbody in Liverpool is funny, the people there are great, a real gas. "
" Oh, some day I'll have to go there to visit, I love to laugh!"
" So I see. You'd love it there, but you might have to take along an oxygen tank so you won't die laughing! "
" Oh my, I must stop all this silliness, before the guys come down and think I'm a nut for not having the breakfast ready, and laughing and crying on the floor! " I said, as I got up from the floor.
" I don't care what they think, were having fun, and your not a nut just because you got a fit of the giggles."
" It was fun wasn't it? I really needed that laugh, I haven't laughed that hard in ages, thank you. "
" My pleasure, your laughter is contagious and I needed a good laugh too, you know they say that laughing is good for you. "
" Well, I guess you could say we're good for each others health then; to your health! "
" Yeah, you might just be right there. "
I smiled as I started back to work on the breakfast, making tomato peel roses to garnish each plate.
" Now, seriously this time, is there anything I can help you with? " George asked.
" Well, let's see, I need to top this casserole with some cheese, why don't you go and cut off a slice or two for me and put it on top of the dish, and then you can help me carry all this to the table. "
I'd just barely finished saying all that and George burst out laughing again, loudly. I could here the others coming down the stairs to the table. I couldn't figure out what was so funny.
So I asked, " What's so funny, I didn't say anything funny, what happened? "
George started slicing the cheese, still giggling, when John came into the kitchen, wondering what the laughter was about.
Upon seeing George, John said, " Cor! She's domesticated you already? "
George giggles, " Yeah and more! "
Totally puzzled, blushing and giggling, I asked, " What did I say that was so funny? "
John started giggling and asked, " What'd she say, George? "
George now in a total laughing fit was trying to tell John, " She asked me to go and cut off a slice or two for her! "
John, hooting with laughter said, " Cor! She's trying to get a bit of nookie out ya already, eh? What'd you do, George, to get so lucky? "
" I don't know John, I just came down to get me bath and when I was done, we chatted for awhile and then I asked if I could help her with something, " George said, still laughing.
The light went on in my head, and I finally got it.
" Hey; nookie, I know what that means, oh, gosh, does cut off a slice mean the same thing?" I asked turning crimson.
" Yeah, luv, we didn't know you had the hots for our George but wow, now we do! " John said mercilessly.
" Oh , I'm so embarrassed; you guys go ahead and eat, I'll be out in the potting shed, hiding my head under a flowerpot! " With that I ran outside to hide. Once outside in the cool morning sea breeze, I could feel just how hot with embarrassment my cheeks were. I opened the potting shed door, closed it behind me and sat on the high wooden bench. I buried my face in my hands. I thought, man I've never been so embarrassed in all my life. Something like this might not bother me as badly if it involved anyone else; but the Beatles and George in particular, oh geez!
I wasn't out there long when I suddenly heard a tap, tap, tap on the door of the potting shed; I froze up and said nothing.
I heard a voice call out, " Angel, are you in there? Come on out luv. "
It was George.
" Oh, go away, I'm never going to be able to look you in the face again, I'm too embarrassed."
I was looking out the side window, when suddenly George's face appeared in the same window.
He looked me straight in the eyes and asked, "Never?" with a mischeivious little grin on his face.
I quickly turned away, reddening again.
" O.K. then, if you're not coming out, then I coming in, " George announced.
" No, " I pleaded.
I turned my back to the door and faced the corner, trying to hide my embarrassment. George opened the door and quietly walked in and hopped up next to me on the bench. Sitting very close to me, he put his arm around me. I was shocked and thrilled at the same time, I didn't want to move.
He said, " Oh Angel, I'm so sorry! " with such tenderness in his voice, as he pulled me closer to him.
I melted inside, like warm chocolate. I wanted to stay like that forever.
Slowly coming to my wits, I said, " You're sorry? I'm the one who said it. "
" Yeah, but you didn't know what it meant to us, it was my fault and it's my dirty mind that I need to apologize for luv; it wasn't your fault. "
" Well, shame on you; but I'll forgive you, " I said stealing a quick glance at him.
Our eyes met again and we both smiled.
" Now, I guess, I'll have to join John in washing up the dishes, won't I? " George said, wearing a playful grin.
" Yeah, that's what you two little devils deserve!"
He laughed, " Well, now at least you're speaking to me and are able to look at me again. "
Thinking about that I said, " Oh know, how am I ever going to be able to go back in the house and face the others, especially John, he's merciless, God only knows what he's telling Paul and Ringo. " I said looking up at the ceiling in dispair.
" I'll go with you luv and if John or the others say anything, I'll tell them the jokes over and to shut their gobs! "
" Oh, O.K., " I sighed, not totally convinced.
Pulling me up on my feet he said, " Come 'ead, luv, I'll even hold your hand if you want. "
He took my hand and playfully pecked me on the cheek and said, " It's going to be alright, you'll see. "
I smiled and said, " You know, you're not such a devil after all, a little naughty, but fun, "
" But you my dear Angel, are an angel, " He said gently squeezing my hand.
Noticing his new term of endearment I said, " Angel huh, I've noticed you've nicknamed me."
" Yeah, is that o.k with you? I like it better. " He said, as he looked down at our intertwined hands.
He lifted up my hand and gently caressed the back of my hand with his fingers. My heart began to ache, Cupid had hit his mark.
" Yeah, that's fine, " I sighed.
" It fits you, you know, "
He kissed my hand tenderly. My mouth gaped open in awe. I thought wow, this has got to be a dream. Upon feeling his warm, soft, lips against my hand I knew it was real, I was in euphoria.
" You are a sweet little angel. " He said as he looked up at me and patted the spot he'd just kissed.
Smiling I said, " Oh, thank you, you're not so bad yourself. "
He chuckled and said, " Well luv, we'd better get in there before all the food is cold. "
" O.K., if I have to. " I said reluctantly.
George didn't let go of my hand, as we walked back to the house, I didn't mind a bit, it was a nice secure feeling. As we got to the door, I said, " I don't want to go in, John will never let me live this down."
" Just act like it doesn't bother you and tell him to shut up, that's what I do when he's teasing me. " George said.
Giving my shoulder a little squeeze, he opened the door with his other hand, and guided me inside. Reaching down for my hand again, George led me into the kitchen. We noticed that all the food had been taken to the breakfast alcove, where the others were eating heartily. We walked hand in hand to join in the feeding frenzy.
George said, " Eh, leave us some then! "
John, looked at our intertwined hands and teased, " Oh, so it's our new little love birds, back from their roll in the woodshed."
George held my hand tighter and motioned for me to tell John a thing or two.
With cheeks red as ever, I mustered the courage to sass back to John, " It was a potting shed, John, and there was no rolling around going on, mind you! "
John shot back, " Oh, well, if that's true why does George have that lovestruck look on his face and why is he holding your hand luv? "
I started to blurt out something in George's defense, that he was holding my hand for moral support, when George cut me off by saying, "Oh, get out of it John, leave poor Angel alone."
John cocking an eyebrow in our direction said, "Angel eh? You must be in love George or else she was awful good to get angel status."
"Oh, shut the hell up John, I called her Angel because it's shorter and she is a sweet girl, now damn it, let that be the end of it!" George fired back.
John laughed loudly and said, "Oh come on, sit down you two lovebirds, before Paul and Ringo eat everything up."
Paul and Ringo had been sitting there through the whole ordeal grinning and feeding their faces.
" Yeah, we left you a crumb or two," Paul said, wiping his chin with his cloth napkin.
" This is really good, Angelina, er I guess, it's Angel now, what do you call it?" Ringo asked.
To put me at ease, Ringo pulled out the open chair next to him and motioned for me to sit by him. The only other open chair was across the table between John and Paul so George sat in that chair and I took the one between Ringo and John.
Answering Ringo's question I said, " It's called English Breakfast Casserole, I'm glad you like it. May I have some?"
John waited until George got his portion and then passed the dish to me.
"You know luv, the only reason I tease you so, is because you get so embarrassed and I love to get a reaction like that out of people, it's so fun." John chuckled and patted me on the knee.
"You sure are a brat John, a real little stinker." I said.
Paul said, "Yeah, and he smells bad too!"
We all laughed and John said to Paul, "Ahh, shurrup, you're no rosebud yourself."
George looked across the table at me and said, " See, I told you, John's just into getting a reaction out of ya." Then looking at John he continued, " I told her to just act as if you didn't bother her and to tell you to shut up."
John said, "Oh, George, you're no fun at all. But you know Angel, you'll never fool me because you've got that wonderful little blush that gives you away, you're so cute when you get embarrassed, I'll never stop, you're too much fun to tease!"
John leaned in close to my face, to see my reaction as he didn't have his glasses on.
"Oh John, your impossible," I said with a sigh.
" Yeah, I get that a lot. " he said grinning.
"Hey, Angel what are we going to do today?" Paul asked.
I said, "Well, you guys can get your instruments set up in the game room, while I do up the dishes, then I have to go to my neighbor Sam's place to take care of his horses. If you guys want to come along you can. If you like we can even go for a horseback ride."
" Oh gear, I love horses, I'd love to go along; how about the rest of you?" Paul asked.
They all agreed that it sounded like fun. So we finshed up breakfast, and they all helped me clear off the table. Then they went to the back of the house, through the kitchen, to the game room, to set up. I washed and dried the dishes, as I listened to them laughing and joking with each other and playing at a couple songs. When I was done I went to change into my riding clothes. Wondering how the afternoon would go, I went to my room.
