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Chapter 12
In the studio the grand four was gathering for a rehearsal time. Brian and Victoria were not inevitable, because their job was restricted to office work, but they liked to come now and then, and check out the writing, song recording process and sessions. While Victoria was early there one morning, she found John and Paul discussing some lyric problem. Her face welcomed a warm smile when Paul went out to smoke a cigarette, and John stayed in, with an excuse that he's not keen on going out on the rain, and that he'll maybe catch up with him later. He and she couldn't wait to grab the moment and be alone together.
"Hello stranger." Victoria was flattering.
"Oh, hun, you missed me?"
"You wish."
Then they came together to share a magnificent and long kiss until they heard footsteps and until George and Paul came in, accompanied by Richard. George thought: "This is it, they're all here. I have to do it. They are my friends, 'course they'll understand." The perfect situation just got worse when Brian joined in, so George decided to delay his plans, at least a little while. After some instrument playing, Victoria's and John's secretly look exchanging, and George's troubled mind, it was time for breakfast pause. After few cigarettes, coffees, teas and snacks, they all seemed like they were getting along very well from George's perspective, chatting and eating in a warm, enjoyable atmosphere, although outside, the rain was drizzling and it seemed like greyish air was carrying something bad. As they all were settled down at the table, the Beatles and their managers, he finally decided it's time to speak up his mind. He cleared his throat and started:
"Hey, people...there's a thing on my mind, so I wanted to announce something."
"Come on George, you look deadly pale." John was mocking.
"Yeah, George, who died?" Paul was questioning the seriousness of George's state.
"Knock it off guys." Richard, for a moment there, seemed like reasonable friend, sensing what George will say. So the youngest Fab continued.
"Thanks Ring. For the record, you're not making this easy for me. So, what I'm trying to say is, that... I'm in love, and none of the less in a secret relationship with ... Veronica."
John dropped his fork.
"Veronica JACOBS?"
Paul, who looked surprised, disappointed and nauseous all in one, replied instead of George.
"Well, how many Veronica's we know?!"
Victoria gave herself a face palm. She wondered if Veronica knew about this. John laughed, like his friend just told a bad joke, but he calmed down when he realised that nobody else was in a cheerful mood. Richard encouraged George with a tap on a shoulder, but, the other side of the table formed the opponent, war-in-preparing side. Paul couldn't put himself together, and Brian was looking at George in disbelief, and at Richard, who showed that he knew all along about George's secret love.
"What's the meaning of this?!" Brian started talking, with raised voice. "I've tried so hard to keep the image of you clean. You wear smooth and smart clothes, you don't misbehave in front of an audience and aren't doing anything reckless, as far as I know. And here you are, ladies and gentleman, all important George Harrison, telling me that he's in a serious relationship with a MAID? Christ, George, haven't you learned anything?"
Victoria tried to break the tension. "Brian, please, calm down. I see why it concerns you, I really do, but keep your voice lower, that's my friend you're talking about. Lay down."
"And my girlfriend too!" George added, and looked at everyone in the room. His eyes searched for Richard's and Victoria's, where they found consolation. John was still lingering, but the real problem was upset Brian and Paul, who seemed to have empty mind, and nothing nice to say. George tried to explain to his jury: "I'm not asking your approval or support. I'll be happy if you just accept this the way it is, and understand. Just TRY to understand. I love the girl."
"So, this lasts for quite long?" Paul wanted to confirm his doubts.
"Officially from New Year's Eve."
"Aren't we your friends enough George? Huh? We didn't deserve to know, or what? Or it's because only Ringo is the confident one...?" The coldness of Paul's words George sensed even in his bones. Paul's irony hurt him badly.
"Ring saw us one night, so I had to admit. Paul, please, you know how I feel about you guys, I wouldn't hide anything from you; but I wasn't ready, and I knew, I just knew that somebody would react the way you did."
George was disappointed. Richard was looking down, not daring to confront Paul, and Victoria was like a hyena, ready to bite him. Brian was slowly going mad, but John was the one who decided to be the saviour of the situation, and he did the speech in his own style.
"Wait a minute, wait a minute. Paul, you swine, don't attack pour Georgy here. George, you are a sincere friend. And true update man too, letting us know as soon as possible what is going on. Shame on you, shame twice. Richard, you little crook. And you ..." (he looked at Victoria, not sure how to react, and she felt the same)... "Well, I don't know about you. I suppose we can... forgive you, considering the fact that you're her friend and all, girl's stuff." Victoria looked at him, glad that he left her out of the band's clash. But John didn't want to spare her cousin. "Brian darling, could you go to your little house, and think everything through? I just want to move on from this fuss, and damn it, get back to our session."
George became angry. He hardly accepted the fact that Brian and Paul were not approving him and Veronica, but now even John was acting outrageous. "So John, you want to deal with this as quickly as you can, not wanting to be responsible for the outcome... How nice of you."
Victoria had to interfere. "The easiest way out is not always the right one John." He felt betrayed, after he stood up for her, and gave her an evil look. The situation looked now far behind the John's wanted quick solution, as long as Paul was not keen on stopping his attacks.
"Not only that you didn't tell us about it (if we suppose that it is serious) but you actually date a maid... A servant!"
"Hey, watch your language!" George replied sharply.
"Truth hurts. And, get a grip George, it is suitable for us to date... I don't know... models, actresses, celebrities... What do you think, how it is going to affect our publicity, reputation, media, press..."
Victoria grabbed George's hand, so he couldn't get any near his rival, and stopped him from exposing carried intense weight of wrath in him.. He was red angry. Everybody was now on their feet, waiting for what is going to come next. John didn't know how to react, although he was physically nearest to Paul, but he wanted to do nothing and stay out of the fight. But it was too late, and he was already in it. Victoria came closer to Paul, and managed to stay calm as much as possible, and remained at least colder than George.
"Seriously Paul? ... Is that what bothers you the most? I know your kind - you materialistic, egomaniac, fame-wanting bastard!"
Brian couldn't handle it anymore. Before anything worse could happen, he stepped into a space between Paul and his female manager.
"Okay, enough! You're acting like a bunch of teenagers. So, I'm going to take John's advice and go home, far away from this, and enjoy the actual silence. You all should try it. I don't know how you're going to deal with this, and frankly I don't care." He than slammed the door behind him.
"He left! He just left!" Paul exclaimed.
"So, I guess there's one left that we have to deal with, George." Said Victoria, referring to Paul, but hesitated to look at her man. She convinced herself that John was on their side. But, was he?
"If Brian, our responsible first man could drop the case and leave, somebody has to stay and be the voice of reason. And don't you speak about me as some kind of a problem that has to be dealt with! Only one who should be brought to his reason is our friend George here." Paul responded.
"This is not Brian's problem, and certainly not yours Mister McCartney! Be happy to leave anytime you want!" The problem now seemed to be all between Victoria and Paul, until George interfered.
"No, Paul, I don't want you to go. I want to clear this with you all, once and for all. As for my resolution (and don't stay on my way, any of you, telling me I should think through my decision, because I made the final conclusion), I won't give Veronica up. We're into this feeling deep, and it would be a great waist if you ask of me to let everything go."
"And if that situation comes Paul, don't you think that emotional state and crash he'll be in wouldn't damage his contribution to the band…?" Richard entered the conversation.
"What contribution?" Paul was being really mean, while John supported him.
"Emotional crash, please! He's not some sissy softy! Jeez George, like you're going to marry the girl tomorrow." Victoria looked at John. Even he doesn't know where he stands.
"And, are you certain that she's not with that fiancé of hers right now, behind your back? You're so naïve!" Paul remarked, and George harshly replied.
"I won't let you question that! I know her better than you, so please shut up. She broke up with him long time ago, and he molested her verbally, so she had a good reason to stop loving him ages ago!"
Victoria added: "So, do your homework, get to know things, and only then stand behind your accusations!"
Paul inhaled deeply, and was on a mission to finish it all. He looked at the ceiling, like his eyes didn't want to confront the person he debates wit,, like he was too important even to look at his interlocutor.
"George, don't make us deliberate about your position more than we have to. It's you're lost, anyway you turn it. Just don't ask me to be extra polite to your girlfriend, or anything. I really thought you would find better."
Paul left the room quickly not letting George smash Paul's face. John withdrew slowly, and before he left he excused himself.
"Well, somebody has to fight Paul's mood." And when he found confirmation noticed in Victoria's nodding, he went out and left the space for agreed friends.
"Don't worry George, this had to happen sooner or later. For what is worth, you know that you have Victoria's and mine support at least." Ringo felt free to represent Victoria's thoughts as well, so she just said:
"Glad to hear you won't quit fighting for her. You know she's worth it. Now go win your girl."
"It would be more difficult if you guys weren't here. Thank you." George rushed down the hallway, and left Vitoria and the oldest Beatle alone in silence.
"Well, we didn't manage to convince all of them. Mission failed." Richard was complaining.
"I wouldn't consider it a total fail. At least, we showed our teeth. And I'll take care of Brian later today. So, only bitter Paul."
"In another place, in a different time, we would be a great team!" Ringo bravely declared.
"Maybe Richard, maybe." Said Victoria and winked at him afterwards, and that warmed Richard's little heart. He turned away from her and smiled to himself incognito.
George drove very fast in order to see her as quickly as possible. Veronica had a day off, so he hurried to visit her at home. He had to tell her about everything, he needed her understanding, her comfort, her embrace. As George parked his car near her house, he was almost already at her porch. Just seconds before he knocked on the door, he heard familiar voice. Knowing that it was wrong, he still put his head against the thick wood, because eavesdropping seemed too tempting. His hearing was not fooling him. It was Geoffrey. Is he here again to protest about his and Veronica's separation? But the strange fact was that Veronica was speaking very calmly and not upset at all. George peeked through the window near buy. Big grizzly bear of Geoffrey's silhouette overshadow Veronica, but George still managed to see him holding her hands. He then furiously ran into the living-room, to find out Geoffrey kissing Veronica. George was frozen, and stood far away from them. Veronica tried to boggle out from Geoff's grip, and when she finally did it after several tries, she noticed George who was in her house, having a stunned face. She was standing very still, thinking in what kind of mess her ex have put her into. How on Earth could she explain to George that Geoffrey once again broke into her home and asked for forgiveness; violent as he is, he easily grabbed her tiny body and pulled it to his dirty clothes, and she couldn't defend herself at all. His rough skin was all over her, and Veronica helplessly screamed inside her, hence George certainly couldn't hear her cry. He was looking at her in disbelief. "Paul was…right?" he was asking in his mind. "Impossible. No way. I'm sure there is a perfectly good explanation for this." But, to make his misery even worse, she didn't say a word, she couldn't find the right one about what's going on. Geoffrey turned around to find his former boss before him.
"You again? Shouldn't you be gone a long time ago by now?"
"I could ask the same question." Said George with growing madness. "Veronica, can you explain to me what's the meaning of this…?"
Veronica recovered her breath, and finally succeeded in making a quiet sound alike words.
"Everything George, I'll explain everything, just… calm… calm down, and first, we can sit down and…"
"Don't tell me what to do, I just want to hear some explanations, Ka!" George sounded shaken like never before. He seemed very angry with Veronica, and she had never seen him like that, and his behaviour was strange to her. She didn't want to jump to conclusions, and appreciated the fact that he gave her a chance to elaborate the situation, rather than slamming the door behind him. He encouraged her to move on, either to break the awkward silence, or to get a chance to say what's really on his mind afterwards. But evil Geoffrey was on his way not to let anybody stand between him and his believed to be destined love.
"Her job isn't to give you any explanations you fool!"
"Oh please, please don't fight!" Veronica cried, and George sarcastically added: "It's easy for you to say; you're not the one helplessly standing in front of his girlfriend, who is making out with her ex-boyfriend!"
Veronica was feeling enormous quilt. She sensed that only silence would well accompany George's furious state. He felt betrayed, but above all, he didn't know if he is to believe that she's too nervous, or scared to talk, or he is going to be forced to confirm Paul's doubts. He waited for a moment, but nothing was signing it's big letters in front of him. Deciding to end this game, he turned away to leave Veronica's home as cold as he can possibly act.
"You're withdrawing...? Even better... I would smash your face on to something by now, anyway."
On this Geoffrey's statement, George took a deep breath, quickly turned around and gave his rival a strong fist bump in the face. George was surprised how much anger he channeled through his punch. Geoffrey's face was red pulsing, and he leaned his hand on the swallowed face, hoping he would soothe the pain. But when that didn't help, he wanted his revenge, so he madly swung his hand, and instead of hitting George, he accidentally banged the wall, because George moved his head in another direction. Geoff was paralyzed with pain, and fell on the ground. Veronica was horrified, and asking herself is there anything worse that could happen today, as she was gripping the armchair nearby, so she could prevent her weak body collapsing hence the sudden stress. After Geoffrey's failure, seeing him defeated on the ground, George caught and addressed Geoff, but at the same time was looking at Veronica, not sure who he should be talking to.
"Well, my work here is done. I don't have anything to do with...you."
He then left the room raged, not bothering even to close the door. Veronica was starting to tremble, while her tears now came out to be poured for her love, who was now passing like strong wind, rambling, and led with the thunder in his heart. Veronica cried quietly: "George... George?" No answer. Just sound of his footsteps, going away from her, going into infinity.
"George! George!" She was now shouting out loud, screaming; and when she saw that he was not responding, regardless of her cry, and blinded by the anger, she jumped over Geoffrey who was in a bad tempered, rumbling something to himself, and she was already outside, almost running, wanting to stop George, and explain - she just wanted little of his time, just to look into those eyes in order to calm her down, and give her strength
t. But, it was too late - George was already starting the engine of his car, to get away as quickly as possible.
"George! George, wait, WAIT!" Veronica was howling so loudly that her throat was now hurting. Berried in one place, her feet now couldn't move even an inch. He was planning to go, and there is nothing she could do to prevent it. A waterfall of shiny tears were now pouring down her neck, while overwhelmed with sadness stood Veronica, helplessly watching her love fade away. George was trying not to look into her direction, but afterwards accidentally caught her gaze full of sorrow. Like he had no heart, he turned away on the other side, not wanting to confront this enormously sad image. He couldn't handle it any more, he finally stepped on the gas, and turned the vehicle on the opposite side of Veronica's house. He drove, and drove, distancing himself from the tearing yells of his name, while the tires of the car were leaving traces on the glowing concrete, separating George's destination from Veronica's sanctuary.
Almost unsaid, but still whispered "George..." was heard once again, for the last time. No answer. Only the wind confirming his departure and blank space. All things must pass, Veronica guessed. Even the ones ment to be.
