John was an extraordinary man. Our relationship has shaped much of my life. I have always loved him and never stopped loving him. Thatโs why I want to tell the real story of the real John โ the infuriating, lovable, sometimes cruel, funny, talented and needy man who made such an impact on the world. John believed in the truth and he would want nothing less.
Cynthia LennonI was proud, excited and a little frightened. It was all taking off so quicklyโฆthe more successful the boys were, the further away from me John felt. I was getting used to being a mum, but most of the time I felt like a single parentโฆit was hard not to feel frustrated with being stuck at home. I loved Julian, but I knew that if I hadnโt had him I could have seen much more of John and that was hardโฆI felt shut off from the life he was living. After years at his side, I was excluded, just as it was all happening.
Cynthia LennonWe were both sort of bowled over by the fact that we were married. It wasn't a question of 'Have we done the right thing?' It was all perfectly natural that we should be together. But John didn't get a real chance to be first a real husband or later, a real father. Once he got on the Beatles bangwagon he couldn't get off, even if he wanted to.
Cynthia LennonRingo had this habit of lighting up two cigarettes, one for Maureen at the same time that he lit his own. I remember thinking it was a loving thing to do and wishing John did it for me. But that would have been too obviously demonstrative, maybe, for John.
Cynthia LennonI didn't marry a Beatle, I married a broke student who played the guitar and ponced all my grant money off me for fags.
Cynthia LennonThe first thing Julian wanted to do in life, well, before he wanted to be an artist and then a musician, was to be a chef. He'd come home and say 'Why don't you bake cakes like my friends' mothers?' I'd say, 'Oh, Julian, go out and buy a Mary Baker cake mix and do it yourself!' That started him off! By the time he was 13, he'd disappear into the kitchen whenever we had visitors and emerge with beautiful canapes. Now he thinks nothing of cooking for ten or 15 people, and he does it so calmly.
Cynthia Lennon