It was a lazy, hazy Saturday morning in 1958 and Ariel Taylor was getting ready to go out with her friends Autumn, Mary and Drew.

Ariel and her three friends were 16 year old Liverpudlians and they were going to spend the day together. They didn’t know just what they were going to do yet, but they knew it would be fun.

They all met at Autumn’s house at 11 o’clock that morning.

“Hey Ariel,” Autumn greeted her, as she was the first to arrive. Ariel entered and plopped down on her friend’s couch.

“So, what do you want to do today?” Ariel only got out that sentence when her friends Mary and Drew burst through the door.

There was another greeting session, this time with hugs all around, and I repeated my question.

“Well,” Autumn started, “You know Paul, my next door neighbor, right?”

“Know him?” I asked (I was Ariel) , “I love him! He’s so sexy!”

“He’s gorgeous!” Added Mary.

“Yeah,” Agreed Drew.

“Yes, I know,” said Autumn, “How would you like to see him and his skiffle band play at the Cavern this afternoon?”

Of course we said yes, we loved Paul and his band. We had seen them once before and had enjoyed it.

Out the door we headed to catch an early lunch, at a little coffee shop down town.

Then we made our way to the Cavern Club, we got there early to get a good “seat.” We stood up in the front row and waited.

“Ya know, that John Lennon ain’t too bad either,” Autumn stated. “Everyone makes such a big deal about ‘Paul’ but I think John is just as cute.”

“Maybe if he weren’t such an arsehole!” I retorted. John and I had a love/hate relationship in class. He always picked on me, but I usually had a quick come back in reply. For this he nicknamed me ‘Miss Attitude.’ “Seriously though, you don’t have class with Mr. Lennon. You don’t know what he is like, he’s a very angry person.” I added this last bit.

“Come on Ariel, we’re here to have a good time. Why do you have to be so serious and analyze every little thing?” Mary whined. After saying this she shouted, “Let’s hear some music!” Everyone cheered along with her for the Beatles.

I rolled my eyes. They just didn’t understand that here was more to life than good times and partying. After a minute or so of shouts, the Beatles took the initiative and ran out onto the damp and small stage. They charged into the Good Golly Miss Molly. I swear I saw Paul send me a wink. Autumn had her eyes on John the whole time. Mentally I noted to warn her she would get hurt if she pursued this infatuation. John could be really nice at times, but he wasn’t always the most considerate person in the world. John had a lot of deep seeded problems and tended to take it out on the people around him.

When the show was over the band came down and talked with us. The band members there that night were Paul, John, George Harrison, Pete Best on drums, and Stuart Sutcliffe.

Stu had recently arrived from the dark side of the moon and was the group's bass player. Stuart was very handsome and had many fans, but he couldn’t play his bass very well. We often wondered why he was in the band at all. We chocked it up to him being John’s best friend.

Stuart sure looked good though, and that made up for his lack of skill. Of course no one could look as good as Paul - who was just saying to me, “Hey Ariel, do you want to take a walk with me?” Paul sounded as giddy as a school boy and was a little drunk. I said yes, and waved to my friends goodbye. Mary winked at me. Autumn was oblivious and talking to John.

Paul and I headed out the door and walked up the road to my place. It was a little far, but I didn’t mind, cause I was with Paul. He turned to me after we were outside into the cool, dark night. “How do you think we did tonight?” He asked.

“I think you did great.” I said honestly. “You guys are really good together and really know how to please a crowd.”

Paul nodded in agreement. “Yes,” he said, “but what do you think of Stuart’s playing?”

“Well,” I started, choosing my words carefully. “Stuart plays the best he can. He isn’t a great bass player, but he just, he just, looks like he fits well with the rest of you. The Beatles would not be the same without him. Why? What do you think?” I asked.

Paul answered, “Personally, I think Stu should stick to painting. He looks good yes, but the band won’t move forward with him in it. I have mentioned this to John - he says if Stu goes, he goes.”

I smiled sympathetically. “In time Stuart will realize he isn’t cut out to be in a rock and roll band. You just have to be patient.” Paul silently agreed. I changed the subject a bit. “So, is Stuart any good at painting?”

“Yes, he’s really good. I could show you some of his stuff sometime if you’d like.” He offered.

“That would be great Paul, I’d really like that.” I answered.

By that time we had reached my home. Paul walked me up the steps.

“I’d like to do this again sometime, Ariel.” He said.

“I would too. I’m sure I’ll see you around again. Maybe I’ll call you.”

“OK. Goodnight, Ariel.”

“Goodnight Paul.” He kissed me on the cheek and I went into the house and sighed.

I ran up the stairs and immediately called Autumn.

"Hello?" Autumn answered.

"Hey!"

"Oh, hi." I giggled.

"How was your evening?" Asked Autumn. "I take it you had a good time."

"I had a wonderful time!" I exclaimed. “Paul is so sweet!” I continued to gush.

“Yes, I know,” Autumn muttered, a little sick of hearing about, ‘Paul.’ Still she continued on. “So, what all did you do?”

“Well, we walked and talked and then he kissed me.” I said happily.

“On the lips?!” Autumn interrupted.

“Of course not! Paul is a perfect gentleman. He kissed me on the cheek!” I answered shocked. In 1958 you didn’t kiss on the lips until you were at least going steady.

“Oh yes, Paul is so considerate.” Autumn said sarcastically.

I quickly changed the subject. “How was the time you spent with John?”

“It was fun too. We had a coffee and then discussed all the vast intricacies of life. He’s very smart you know.” She commented.

“Yeah, sure he is. That’s why he’s practically failing out of school.” My turn to be sarcastic.

“No, seriously. He is brilliant. Just doesn’t apply himself.” She replied. “They’re gonna be famous someday. I just know it.”

“Yeah, they do have that star quality, don’t they?” I daydreamed. “I can’t wait to see the day when I’m famous for being Paul McCartney’s girlfriend.”

“And I as John’s best girl.” Autumn added.

“We talked for a few more minutes, then said goodbye and hung up.

I went strait to bed, exhausted.

The next morning I slept in very late. After all, I had had a very busy day and didn’t go to bed until after midnight.

After I ate and showered I went into the living room where my Mom was.

“Hi Mom,” I said.

“Good morning sweet heart.” She answered, looking up from her book. “A boy named Paul called earlier. He wants you to call him back.”

“Really?” I asked excitedly. I didn’t expect him to call so soon. “Did he leave his number?”

“Yes, I wrote it down.” Mom said, handing me a piece of paper.

“OK, thanks Mom!”

I ran back upstairs and tried to calm down. The whole way I prayed that no one would be on the party line. That was the last thing I needed, the whole block hearing me and Paul’s conversation.

When I got to the phone I quickly dialed the number.

Ring! Ring! Ring!

A man’s voice answered. I assumed that it was Paul’s father.

“Hi, is Paul there?” I asked.

“Yes, hold on a minute.” I heard Paul’s dad yell, “Paul! Telephone!”

“Hello?” Asked Paul.

“Hi Paul, this is Ariel.” I said.

“Oh, hi Ariel! Nice to hear from you. How are you?”

“I’m great, you?” I answered.

“I’m doing okay. I missed you though.”

“Really?” I asked him. I was startled at this. Could it be possible that Paul liked me too?

“Yes. I want to see you again, and soon. What are you doing this afternoon?”

“Not too much. Why?”

“Well, I was wondering if maybe you would like to do something with me.”

“That would be great, Paul. What do you want to do?” I asked.

“Well, we could go out to lunch and then I could bring you to Stuart’s to see some of his paintings.”

“That’d be really fab.”

“I’ll pick you up in a half an hour then?” He asked.

“Sure, I’ll see you then.”

“Okay, goodbye Ariel.”

“’Bye Paul.”

I hung up the phone and sighed. This had to be one of the best weekends of my life!

I hope you enjoyed Chapter One, you can go on to Chapter Two or get back to the intro page.

Check out The Pooh Page The page where I got my email pic.

© 1997