October 26th, 1964. Carnaby Street, London. 12:53 pm.

[mr_b_epstein]

I stood on outside a boutique on Carnaby Street, smoking a cigarette while I waited. I'd invited all the girls out for a lunch, since the boys had been so busy in studio, but only Pattie and Jane were able to attend. Maureen had some pervious engagement, and Cynthia couldn't find someone to sit with Julian while she was out. Shame, really, but I'd

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[janeintheashes]

I had no real excuse for being late, except that once again I had misplaced my new coat and I refused to go out without it. Not if I was going to have lunch with Brian and Pattie, who were always impeccably dressed. I needed to look my best. Foolish really, in hindsight, because it was terribly windy and my hair took the brunt of it, looking utterly windswept by the time I had gotten from the car to the boutique where Brian had asked us to meet him. Ah well, this just proved that it did no good to be vain.

I had walked past a couple of shops I had been meaning to try, and grew ever more excited for an afternoon of such things. "Hello Brian," I smiled as he kissed me on the cheek. "I'm doing just fine. Keeping very busy."

[mr_b_epstein]

"You look lovely." I told her, stepping around her so my body shielded her from the brunt of the wind. The way her hair was whipping around, I was concerned it would smack one of the pedestrians in the face.

"New project?" I asked, wondering what she'd been up to while the boys had been in the states. "Paul mentioned you'd been offered several parts, but he was a bit sparse on details."

I wondered if she knew the half of what her boyfriend had gotten up to on tour. I suspected not, and I highly doubted she knew about John. Poor thing, I thought sympathetically, and resisted the urge to pat her soothingly on the shoulder.

[janeintheashes]

"Oh, why thank you Brian." I blushed, happy he thought so.

He asked about my new project. "Television," I answered, wondering if he had become my wind breaker on purpose or if it was a happy accident. "I filmed an episode of The Indian Tales of Rudyard Kipling which was on just on the telly about two weeks ago. Now we're filming "The Mill on the Floss" and I'm playing, mmm, Maggie Tulliver. It's based on the book by George Eliot, if you've read it."

I attempted to smooth down my hair with my hands, pieces still fluttering into my face.

[mr_b_epstein]

"My, you've been busy. And no, I'm afraid I haven't read it. But it sounds lovely." I said, watching her struggle for a moment before tugging off my scarf.

"Here." I offered it to her. It was the gentlemanly thing to do, especially since she had helped me pick this particular scarf out before I'd left on tour. "You can use it to tie your hair back."

I shifed a bit, wondering if she'd notice if I swallowed a few preludin. Pattie was late, and it was getting rather cold out. Perhaps we should wait for her in the shop...but then she might not find us, and it would be unspeakably embarassing if George thought I'd stood up his girlfriend. I blushed just thinking about the argument that might cause.