Mary's Birthday (1972)

Photographer unknown but photo taken on August 28, 1972 at Cavendish

 

No name article

Written by Kris Martell

With a Little Help From My Friends

December 1972

    The date was August 28, Mary's birthday, and also the day I was to leave London. Well, my flight was at 6pm or so. So, where was I? My last hours at Cavendish, of course, waiting up near the hospital at the corner. It was the bank holiday there, and most stores were closed. We were looking frantically for an open bakery, because we wanted to get Mary a cake. We found one that was open on High Street, bought the cake, and went back to Cavendish. It was still early, 10am to be exact. 

    We wanted to catch Rosie before she went in. We were going to ask her if she thought Paul might be upset over the cake, and if she said yes, we were going to give her the cake to take in. Apparently, she had the day off and never showed up.

     At noon, who did we see coming out on bikes, but Paul and Linda! We were taken a bit by surprise. I noticed that Paul's bike had a little back seat, probably for Mary. Anyhow, we decided not to follow, lest they'd get a bit mad if we did. So we just casually strolled on the opposite side of the street, walking in pairs or threes. When about eight minutes later, they took us by surprise and came around the corner. I was a few yards from turning the corner when I saw them. Oddly enough, Paul was sort of smiling. They were riding abreast, but when he saw us, he slowed down a bit and rode behind her, and they turned their heads completely around while riding to their house. I don't know if he rides zigzag or not, but he certainly was that day.  I assume it was because he was looking at us backward instead of keeping his eye on the road in front of him. What's more, he was whistling as he rode. By the way, the bikes were the crankiest bikes I ever heard, but I suppose on a Sunday morning on Cavendish, anything can be heard. 

    Well, after they were in, we rang the bell and spoke to Mrs. Meeken, their babysitter. We said we were leaving Mary's cake at the gate, and she said, "Thank you". When we saw the cake wasn't being taken in, we sent them a telegram that read, "Happy birthday, Mary, your cake is waiting alone outside the gate." Eventually, it was taken in. 

    Henry McCullough showed up with his wife and little boy, as did some other people and children. I remember walking by the gate. Some people had just arrived, and Paul greeted them at the door, as did all the kids in the house. Mary was having a birthday party. The dishes couldn't have been clanked louder. I had to leave at 2:30pm in order to pick up my luggage at my friend's house and make it to the airport in time for my flight home, but my friend Karen wrote and said they came out a half hour after I left, then they went off to Piccadilly to see a cartoon movie,