May 14, 1960
"No, I refuse," Olivia leaned her back against the wall, shaking her head. She switched the black telephone receiver to her right ear, inhaling in a deep breath.
Things had been pretty rough the past few months since her separation from Don. She was struggling to get the divorce finalised as soon as possible, but with her reputation beginning to decline, there was little hope for her and her career.
False statements had been released from Don claiming Olivia was after his money and had was faithful on several occasions during their marriage. Since then, many designers, companies, and magazine advertisements had cancelled contracts or bookings with her because of these false rumours Don had released.
But after wasting these months in silence, she had decided it was her turn to speak out. Just yesterday, she and her new press officer Millie Turner had agreed to step up and file accusations of the physical abuse to help speed up the process of the divorce and get things back on the right track.
However, her manager Larry was quite upset they had published things so sudden, "I've had a very long and quite exhausting phone call with Don's manager. He isn't pleased that you have published this while they are on tour," he paused, "All I'm asking is if you retract the accusations, I'm sure he would happily agree to get everything going smoothly."
"Are ya mad? Who's bloody side are ya on, Larry? Because I can find another manager that.."
He quickly interrupted her, "No, no... I wasn't meaning.." he cleared his throat, "I was just making suggestions on how we can clear everything back for you."
She rolled her eyes, "If he had kept that fuckin' mouth of his shut in the first place, I wouldn't be in this mess, ya get on?"
"Yes, I understand. I apologise, Olivia," he paused, scribbling more notes onto his notepad, "Things have been quite hectic and frustrating on my end, but I understand it hasn't been all roses for you either."
She sighed, running her hand through her hair, "Spot on, it hasn't. I'm just fed up and ready to move on, ya know?"
Larry held his receiver and sighed, "I understand. Millie and I are working 'round the clock to get these issues addressed and you back to work," he glanced up at the clock on his wall, "So where are you hiding out this time? I figure the press have been a bother at your house."
She stared at the two young boys sitting on the floor a few yards away from her place in the corner of the room and smiled, "I'm stayin' at me mate Paul's home. His father was kind enough to let me hide out here for a few days, at least until the madness dies out a bit."
"Right, well give me a ring if you need anything. I'll be ringing you if there are any updates. Take care."
"Thanks, Larry," a smirk appeared on her face and hung the receiver back onto the telephone. She didn't mean to be a pain in the arse and realised Larry was doing his best. Though, in the back of her mind, she was curious how much he did enjoy working for her and assisting her during this time.
Olivia stood to her feet and strolled to the two boys sitting on the floor. With guitars in both of their hands and strumming a familiar tune, they had taken notice of her approaching their way.
"Alright then?" George's dark and thick eyebrows raised with a half-smile on his face.
She gently crouched down, taking a seat next to them, crossing her legs, "I've 'bout gone potty with all of the madness, I tell ya," she pursed her lips with annoyance, searching her pockets for a cigarette, "Nevermind me, what're ya two fiddlin' with?"
Paul shrugged, glancing down at the guitar in his arms, "Just a bit of Perkins. George almost has the solo down."
"Ah, fab now!" She snapped a finger at Paul, pointing to the carton of cigarettes on the floor next to him, "Go 'ed la, I'm listenin'."
Paul placed the carton into the palm of her hand. She immediately pulled out a cigarette and plopped it into her mouth. Before she was about to search for a light, Paul held one right to the end of it, exchanging an enlightened smile.
As she inhaled what she felt like a relief, her eyes watched his fingers consistently move up the fingerboard and pick the strings. The tune he was playing sounded close to what she remembered from her record, and she was amazed. It had been a long while since she had listened to them play and realised that they had greatly improved since then; well, at least George had.
The moment he had finished the solo, she brought her hands together and clapped excitingly, "Bravo!" She plucked the cigarette out of her mouth and placed it in between her fingers, "Where did ya learn to play like that?"
A tint of pink came to George's cheeks, shyly chuckling back at her, "It's called practice, ya know."
"Oh, is that what ya lads do? I thought ya just got up on stage and shook your asses with them guitars in your hands," a broad smile appeared on her face, leaning back onto her side, snickering at her joke.
Both Paul and George didn't seem very amused, but it did get them to smile, just a little bit.
Paul shook his head, unenthusiastically, "So, you've been hangin' 'round John a bit, ay?"
She plopped the cigarette back into her mouth, "We haven't spoken for a few weeks. Why?"
He raised his eyebrows, shifting a glance at George, chuckling. Since Olivia had moved back home to London and remained in contact with John, her personality and wit had returned. Paul noticed there were some days she struggled, but she would immediately change the subject with humour or poking fun at someone.
"Welcome back," George threw a wink her way but then crossed his eyes, making an obnoxious face at her.
She stood to her feet, patting the top of George's head, "Glad someone missed me," she sniggered, stretching her arms, "Ya mind if I go upstairs for a bit? Gonna have a spot of kip."
"Tired already?" Paul reaches his arm out, glancing at the watch on his wrist, "It's only two-thirty. John and Stu'll be here in a mo."
Olivia closed her eyes and yawned, "Right, then make them wait 'til I'm up," she giggled, turning her back to them, "Later!"
"Sassy, she is," George smirked, plucking a few strings, "Is that what divorce does to ya?"
"I dunno, never been," Paul shrugged, but then they both ended up bursting into laughter after realising what he had just said.
Just as they were laughing and having a good time, the front door opened with John and Stu striding in, carrying their guitars.
"Fancy a knock?" Paul chuckled as he glimpsed up at them, lighting a cigarette.
But John was in no laughing mood. His face was blank as he set his guitar against the end table. He joined Paul and George on the floor, pulling a newspaper out from under his arm.
"Did ya read this rubbish?" He slammed the newspaper onto the floor in front of them, sighing as he stared at both of them, waiting for a reaction.
George tilted his head, reading and mumbling out the article that John had circled in black ink, "Everly is accused of choking his wife..."
"Ah, is this what she was talkin' 'bout?" George raised an eyebrow at Paul, who leaned closer to it, reading the small article.
"Come 'ead now, Macca. Spit it out then," his eyebrows furrowed at him, "Who is she?"
Stu let out a very heavy and annoyed sighed, "He's been on 'bout this article all bloomin' day," he turned to John, "I'm sure she's well."
"Oh, ya mean..?" Pauls' eyes shifted back to John, "She's fine, John. In fact, she just went upstairs to spot a kip."
John glared over at Paul, "So, she's here then? Why didn't ya tell me?" he sighed with relief, a little excited to hear of her presence. But then it also annoyed that she had asked to stay with Paul, instead of him.
Paul grimaced at him, "Ay, I didn't know meself. She just showed up and asked if she could stay for a few days," he placed his cigarette in the ashtray, "I suppose press was on her again."
"So.." George cleared his throat, "When ya gonna ask her?"
John stood to his feet, wandering to his guitar, "Ask her what?" He purses his lips, grabbing his guitar from off the floor and finally plopped onto the dark brown sofa. The article still flashed in his mind, worried about Olivia. Was it real or was this story just another lie Don had published in the papers?
"Come 'ead, it's been a good while now.." he glanced at Paul while John fiddled with the strings on his guitar, "Ya gonna ask her to be your bird again? Or, ya know, give her the ring you store in that wallet of yours?"
John's eyes widened, holding a string in between his fingers. That was information that nobody, except Paul, needed to know. His heart raced while he pursed his lips, hoping she had not heard anything from upstairs. John glared at Paul, "Macca! Ya can't keep that bloody mouth of yours shut, aye?"
Stu laughed, "So, it's true? You have a ring?" He tried to light the cigarette in his mouth but was having a difficult time from laughing so much, "Is that what you spend your bob on?"
"Come off it, I didn't buy it," his glare remained on Paul, "Her dad gave it to me to give to her one day, ya know.." his eyes shifted to George, "And I can't just ask now her after all the shite she's been through. Divorces take a bit of time."
George chuckled, "Paul would know, wouldn't ya?"
Paul grinned, refraining from laughing and boosting John's temper, "Shut it," he smacked George in the arm, "Well, when? Tired of seein' ya mope 'round 'bout her and then go off with a different bird each night."
"Christ, Paul... I mean Mimi," Stu laughed, exhaling his cigarette smoke.
John threw his carton of cigarettes at Paul, "Can we talk 'bout somethin' else?"
Paul snatched the carton from the floor, "Alright, then," he strolled to the turntable on the other side of the room, "Me dad picked up a new record today. I wanna have ya listen to the harmonies."
George hesitated, biting his bottom lip, "I don't think that's a good idea."
Paul's eyes glanced at the stair railing then shrugged George's comment off, continuing to place the record in his hand and on the platter of the turntable. Carefully, he brought the stylus over, placing the needle down onto it.
A smile spread to his lips as the intro of the song started to play, fiddling with the volume knob and turning the sound up.
Stu and John's heads perked up from their guitars the moment they had recognised the melody of the intro.
Stu removed his shades as the artists began to sing the words of the song, "Isn't that.."
"The Everly Brothers!" Paul beamed, turning the volume up a little, "Listen to those harmonies right at the beginnin'," he stepped away from the turntable, finding a place on the floor next to George.
"Ya better turn that off, son," John pointed at the turntable, furrowing his eyebrows, "That's sensitive content for the one upstairs."
Paul plopped his guitar on his lap, "She's not gonna hear it. It's not as if it's 'bout her."
John pursed his lips in frustration, "Are ya off yer bend? Cathy's Clown is 'bout her. Catherine is her middle name, ya know." he glared over at Paul once more, raising his voice, "Turn it off!"
But it was too late. Olivia had indeed heard it from upstairs and wasn't just upset; she was furious. How could they play that song when they knew everything she was currently going through?
She sat on Paul's bed, waiting for them to turn it off, but it continued to play. Every time she heard this song, it sent unwanted cringes up her spine. The sound of Don's voice felt as if he was trying to creep back into her mind and her life, and she wanted nothing more to do with him, nor his music.
"Turn it off!" She shouted as she descended the stairs in irritation, "Paul, turn it off!"
Paul stood to his feet, staring at the anger on her face, "We were just listenin'.."
"I don't fuckin' care what you were doin'! I said, turn it off!" She stared him dead in the eye, waiting for him to take the record off, but her anger surprised him that all he could do was stand still like a statue.
By then, she couldn't control her temper, stepping to the turntable, "Are ya deaf and dumb too?" Olivia pulled the stylus off and yanked the record off the platter, holding it in her hands, "This is what turnin' it off means," she grimaced and with both hands on the record, she put every bit of the strength in her, snapping the small 45 in half, throwing the scraps at Paul.
"Jesus Christ, Liv! Me dad bought me this!" Paul's widened eyes stared at the pieces of the broken record on the floor, "He's gonna be livid."
Olivia rolled her eyes at him, "I can go livid if ya want, Paul. Do I need to remind you who me soon-to-be ex-husband is? He wrote this song specifically about me," she sighed, trying to keep her emotions intact, "I've had everyone reminding me about this song, and I don't need to hear it 'round the lot of ya. Do I need to make it that clear for that thick mind of yours?"
There was something in that shout, a pain behind it. John watched Olivia's eyes, and he knew. The anger was nothing but a shield for pain, scared for her life - lonely and desperate. John knew that the last few months were a taunting nightmare for her. He sensed her troubles but saw her bravery. She held on like a fighter, as she always had, rising to a better and new day. All he could offer her was a brighter horizon and that she would get through this. John promised himself that from now on, he would be there to protect her in any and every way he could.
To lighten the mood, he threw a guitar pick at Paul, chuckling, "I told him to turn it off, but he doesn't listen."
"Nor can't he keep any secrets," George mumbled, smiling at Olivia then peering back at John.
There was a little fear she might have heard him or caught onto any suspicions, but he didn't. His eyes stared in awe at Olivia as she stood there and scolded Paul like a mother to a child. Though they had spoken to one another through letters and phone calls, he had not seen her since a few days after she moved back to London. Olivia's long and slender, yet curvy frame indicated she had lost the baby weight and was back to herself, not only physically, but also her snappy and sassy personality was back, and he missed that.
John patted the cushion next to him, "Come 'ead over here, Mother."
With a glare present on her face, she turned as she heard John's voice. John started to give various obnoxious looks at her, turning her glare into a smile.
She strode to the sofa where John sat at with a sly smile on her face. Right before she sat on the cushion, John suddenly over to where he had patted, raising his eyebrows with a cheeky grin on his face.
"Move over, I'm not sittin' on your lap," she giggled, watching John scoot back to his spot as she plopped next to him.
"I don't even get a hello?" Stu batted his eyes at her, pouting out his lip.
She leaned forward, exchanging a wink, "Hello there, Stu. Nice to see ya again."
Stu frowned, "That's it?"
"What is it you want from me? A kiss?"
"I'd take one," John raised his eyebrows at her, pushing his tongue to the inside of his bottom lip.
Her cheeks turned a bright red and rolled her eyes, "You'd take more if I let you," she said, with a small chuckle.
It felt so great to be back with her favourite kind of company, where she felt like she could be and act herself. She didn't have to hide anything or be careful what she said; she was finally free.
Her eyes wandered to the floor and caught a glimpse of the newspaper, "So, I see you've seen the latest news."
John's smile disappeared once he had seen what she stared at, "Did he do that to ya?"
While her yes kept a steady stare at the newspaper some of the horrific memories of the moments of him forcing her down, choking and kicking her had entered into her mind once more. These were the memories that had haunted her dreams when she slept and what she feared most about Don.
It was tough for her to admit, especially to John. Her eyes kept a steady stare to it, "A few times, but it's over and done with."
"If I'd knew, I would have bashed.."
"The only reason I filed these claims was for him to stop draggin' his feet and get the divorce over with," she played with her fingers the more his name was mention, "Ruddy foul git, he is."
John's eyes felt her fingers shaking with fear when Don's name was said. He didn't realise what the extent of the abuse she had gone through, but seeing this reaction made him wonder just what all happened during their marriage. Why was she still so afraid of him?
"Ay, here's an idea," he quickly changed the subject, "We've got a gig tonight. You should come and watch since ya know, ya haven't since the good ol' Quarrymen days."
She bit her lip, glancing over at Stu, George, then Paul, "I dunno, I'm supposed to be hiding out. The press has been tryin' to find me and.."
"Ya have a disguise or anything?" Stu leaned back onto the palms of his hands with a suspicious smile on his face.
Olivia shook her head slowly but curiously, "I left all me wigs in London I'm afraid," she narrowed her eyes at him, "What do ya have in mind?"
He leaned onto his elbows, "I've got a ginger wig at our bedsitter," Stu chuckled as he pictured the wig, "It's not a completely flattering one. If you're lookin' for a shag tonight, then this won't be for you."
She pondered for a moment, staring at each one of them. Olivia was a little frightened to go out into town for the first time in a while. For the last year or so, every event that she had gone to always had Don by her side. It had started to sink in that she was getting divorced from her companion, someone that she just got used to being around all the time.
"I cannot be recognised at all, ya hear?" She started to panic, "Them press is wanderin' 'round Liddypool tryin' to find me. If I get caught, then.."
John placed his hand on top of hers, "Nothin' will happen to ya, ya hear?" His thumb stroked the top of the knuckles in comfort, "I promise."
She inhaled a long but deep breath and smiled at John, giving him a quick nod. John's comforting yet straightforward touch always reassured Olivia. There was something about his voice and the way he made her feel at times that caused her heartbeat to beat instantly. It was a feeling she had tried to push away and ignore the past year, but she realised she couldn't do that anymore. She didn't need to hide her feelings anymore. She had to find the strength to tell him exactly how she felt because for once, Olivia finally felt home.
Since the whole Don and Olivia chapter has come to an end, I wanted to take a moment just let you all know it had been so difficult for me to write Don out this way. I've been a fan of his music for a long time, and he has been *my* favourite Everly Brother but, the experiences Olivia had with Don are based on some of the experiences between him and his first wife, Mary Sue Ingraham. The image below is the real newspaper clipping.