The Devil In Her Heart (Beatles Fan Fiction)

Chapter 3

2.30 am

"Grace, do you know where you're going?" George asked, as they slowed to a stop at the T-junction once again.

"It all looks different in the dark," she replied, sheepishly. "But I think it's just up here, now. It's not too far."

George looked at her sideways disbelievingly but moved the car forward in the direction she indicated. He yawned. They had been traveling around St. John's Wood for nearly half an hour, and mostly in loops back to Abbey Road. "Who are you staying with?" he asked.

"What?"

"Didn"t you say before you were staying with someone?"

"Oh, yes. My, er... my boyfriend. You can stop here if you like, I can walk the rest of the way."

"Where's he tonight then?"

"At home, I should imagine."

"Won't he be worried about you?"

"It's just here, George, honestly. I can walk the rest."

George slowed the car. "I'd rather take you to the door," he said. "See you in safe."

"There's really no need." Grace turned her head away, looking through the side window.

George bit his bottom lip thoughtfully. "Am I missing something here?" he asked cautiously.

"What?" Grace said, turning back to him. "Oh, stop. Here, this is it."

George pulled over outside of a tall Victorian building. He looked up at it. "Very nice."

Grace sat still. George unclipped his seatbelt.

"Do you really live here?" he said, crossing his arms.

"Yes. Well, he does."

"Your fella?"

"Roger, yes."

"Aren't you going in then?"

Grace suddenly threw her hands up and covered her face. George blinked in surprise and then gingerly reached out to her, touching her wrist with his fingertips. "What is it, love?" he asked softly.

"Oh, nothing. I'm just being silly." Grace took her face out of her hands and reached in her pocket for a handkerchief. "We had a quarrel," she told George, dabbing her eyes.

George nodded, "Ah."

"I ran out. That's why I was walking around alone when I met you."

"Well, I'm sure he'll be very worried about you," George said tactfully. "If you go in now..."

"And you would know, would you?" Grace snapped back at him, then regaining her composure, put her hand out to him apologetically. "Oh, I'm sorry, George. I didn't mean that. You've been nothing but kind to me. It's just so... so upsetting."

"These things are," George replied, trying his hardest to sound sympathetic, although his tiredness meant his patience was wearing thin.

"I can't go back in there tonight. I just simply can't."

George sighed. "Is there somewhere else I can take you?"

"No, there's nowhere."

"Haven't you got a friend who can put you up for the night?"

"No," Grace said, sadly shaking her head. "I haven't any friends here. I've only just moved back to England from Kenya."

George leaned his elbow on his door. "Well, I can't just leave you here to wander the streets."

"I'll find a hotel."

"At what? Quarter to three? Have you got any money?"

"Well, no..."

George pulled his seatbelt around him and leaning forward, started the car. "You can stay over at our house then," he said, hoping it wouldn't be a decision he'd live to regret. He wasn't sure Pattie would be too happy about it.

"Oh, I don't know," Grace said.

George glanced at her as he moved the car off again. "It's alright. It's nothing fishy. I live with my girlfriend, Pattie. She'll be there. You can stay in the spare room. Just tonight though, right?"

"Where do you live?"

"Esher. It's not far."

"Won't she object? Your girlfriend?"

George shook his head. "Nah, we have people staying all the time. Besides, she'll be asleep, she won't know."

"George, I..." She considered it for a moment. "Do I have a choice?"

"Not really," George said, changing into fourth gear.

Grace smiled, "Thank you."