1.30.2010

An Affair to Remember

This is a story...a tragic tale about a dear friend of mine and her journey through the dark-side of love.

Her name is Jacqueline* ....

Jacqueline (who was often mistaken for rocker Marianne Faithful) met 'Steve' when they were both young & lacking of worldly knowledge, and wisdom; sexual and otherwise.

Steve was a product of urban Indiana and Jacqueline from a world away, swinging London, England. Steve was studying acting and had just landed a stage role preforming at the Old Vic Theater. They met on Carnaby Street on a lazy Saturday morning. She was drawn to his peering blue eyes and he to her long blond hair and equally long legs. Steve was once quoted ' I love a good pair of stems, and Jacqueline has all that and, well let's just say a lot more".
Not hard to understand the strong draw that Steve had on Jackie. This son of a Flying Circus stunt pilot was rough around the edges, in a brut sort of manor. He was moody, and pouty; all the things a young impressionable girl was challenged to 'fix' and made him all that more irresistible. That grin could melt this nubile girl right down to her knees.

Jackie and Steve enjoyed the London life. Steve was slowly becoming a celebrity and

he and Jackie were dressing and living their parts. The money was flowing in and so were the invites to all the chicest parties and events.

Steve's love for Jackie flourished. Her fabulous wit, smashing good looks and her devotion to him sealed the deal.

They had a passion for each other that paralleled that of Taylor and Burton, Simpson and King Edward VIII, & Spencer and Heidi.

Jackie would write me letters telling the tales of Steve's sexual prowess. They would make love in the most scandalous of places just to add to the excitement.

He even bought her an Austin Mini to see if they could conquer lovemaking in such a confined space while driving the streets of London.

Poor Jacqueline, she was not yet fully aware of why he was buying her this car. I look at this photo now & think, "you are in for one helluva ride my dear".

Steve tried his hardest at living the domestic life, even bringing home a shelter cat for Jackie.

She named him "Cool".

Late that year, their love-child was born. Steve loved their baby but slowly he started to feel the squeeze of "normalcy". The routine of every day life was tearing at his rustic soul.


He would take off to Palm Springs for extended periods of time to get away. All the while telling Jackie that he had taken a movie part in California. Soon enough he purchased a house there.

He was a man who craved solitude & freedom. even from bathing suits (or bathing 'costumes' as Jackie would write).

When he returned home to England Jackie wrote, "he'd come to bed with a pistol, I just thought he was happy to see me." Their affair became one tumultuous tryst after another.

When home in England he acted more and more mysterious; often disappearing for hours.

Besides his love for race car driving, he possessed a penchant for motorcycles, often favoring those British built bikes by Triumph. That's when I first met Steve. I had been a boarding school chum of Jacqueline's and I had landed a job with Triumph as one of their engineers. I delivered Steve his first custom 650cc 'Bonneville'.


But before too long Steve would leave Jacqueline behind., no longer riding the roads as a pair. She was crushed with agony and despair as to how to fix their strained relationship.

He spent every chance he could riding in his Ferrari. He started to love his cars and bikes more than time with his family.

Oh sure, he'd attempt to call when he'd remember to tote his man bag.

but more and more he was living the life of a reclusive star.

So Jacqueline went about life without him. She always would tell me, "It's better to be with no one at all, than the someone that does not love you back as you deserve." She was always wise beyond her tender years.

While filming the movie, "Love with the Proper Stranger", rumors started flying around the set and all of Hollywood that he was having a lurid affair with Natalie Wood. She at that time was married herself, to a hunk of a man, actor Robert Wagner.

Sadly Steve didn't stop there; he began a long reputation for shagging every dark haired co-star he could could lure.

After Natalie he was on to Ali Mc Graw.

Then he was on to more dark haired women, this time in Maserati's. Always dark-haired women to help him forget what he was missing with his long-time love and fair-haired Jacqueline.

While Steve was cavorting around Hollywood, Jackie began her own affair. 'Mick' was wildly talked about for his charisma and antics on the stage as well as off.

She didn't seem to care who saw them together, it no longer mattered. Where Steve was good in some areas of love making, Mick had his own weapon for passion, those bulbous lips with a zip code all of their own.

Hurt and jealous, Steve started to wash away his memories of his life in London with Jackie. I use to think, "ya, sure, laugh it off Mc Queen".

He was by then labeled the "King of Cool" by his fans. But inside, he was in turmoil. Wracked by guilt for leaving behind the good he had with his British babe.

He began a downhill spiral. Often flipping-off fans, and on-lookers; at the track & off.

All the ups & downs of their now non-relationship bored Jackie to tears. She had moved on with hip Mick.

Steve tried hard to pull himself together. Once again looking the part of a real movie star.

He chose to go back into seclusion,

and put his miserable life back together without her.

after that you would often see him tearing up the streets in anger. Desperately trying to forget those romantic times in that Austin Mini with his Jackie; non-replaceable Jacqueline.

Jacqueline resides in rural Hertfordshire, outside London. She is living in harmony with her beloved husband (who prefers his identity to be private) in their gorgeous, romantic home.

February 1st is my Jackie dear's birthday and I'm here to wish her a day only memories are made of; even if they are a wee bit sordid; all the better!



**Jacqueline writes one of the most unique and delightful blogs, called HOME. Her way with photos and words capture more comments in a day than most in a week. I know you've all heard of it, but just in case it's slipped between your digits, find it here.
Story is obviously fictional, it was in jest as Jacqueline loves Mr. McQueen & after all, it is her birthday!

____________________________________________________


Chad McQueen - Steve's son with the original Mustang "Bullitt" from Steve's 1968 film (in the rear) and with the limited-edition new version with that same name.

Dunbwit with her husbands 2001 Bullitt in that original 'Highland Green',

and with her Triumph 900cc America.


and @ Mc Queen's home in Palm Springs located within the famous 'Movie Colony'. The Realtor told us that Steve adored Mickey Mouse & had his pool built in Mickey's profile. I was so tempted to dive right in hopes of soaking up as much long-lost Steve as possible.

{go forth & live responsibly}
celebrate your friends



photo & research credits; Jose Lasheras; Polly Wreford, Joanna Henderson, Sarahkayepresents.com; aworldtowin.net; bradbarnett.net; thefader.com; fanpop.com; listal.com; lifemagazine.com; sundaymercury.net; artnet.com; michaelmanning.tv; gettyimages.com; wallpapergate.com; autotrend.com; tripod.com; blogdig.net; vintageculture.net; cracked.com; boson.com; sixtiescinema.com; bradfordid.com; absoluteastronomy.com; yuddy.com; pacific-standard.blogspot.com; listal.com; sealinnean.blogspot.com; loti.com; picapp.com; panachereport.com

74 comments:

debra@dustjacket said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
The Townhouselady said...

What an amazing journey. Your post was just fabulous. I enjoyed it tremendously.

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

Umm.... Gee.
Jacqueline is Marianne Faithfull??

debra@dustjacket said...

Oh what a journey is all I can say ...!

Happy happy birthday to darling Jac's!

Great post Deb,
xxx

Kellie Collis said...

A fabulous journey is right! xx

vicki archer said...

Great story...xv

Julie@beingRUBY said...

How Fabulous Deb!! and Happy Birthday Jacqueline!!

Fantastic post for a fantastic blogger that we all love....I think this will be the birthday post of the week and quite says it all in your unique and creative way...

Well you have beaten us all to it... I'll have to be fashionably late!! haha xx Julie

Jacqueline @ HOME said...

My dearest friend, Deb,
I am so moved that it's taken me 1/2 hour to write my reply !!
Oh those memories of my former life with my beloved Steve. The fire, the passion, the up's, the down's. ....IN MY DREAMS !!....he was my fantasy love of my life.... Steve AND Paul McCartney !!....but, fantasy is never as good as the real thing and, I've been married now for 33years to my real 'STEVE'.
I just had a couple of comments on my latest post and couldn't understand them...thought that they had got the wrong Jacqueline!!!!
Thank you SO much, Deb, for a whole post dedicated to little old 'moi' !! I cannot believe that you spent so much time doing that for me. You are so kind and have made my birthday SO special. You are the greatest blogging friend EVER and I LOVE YOU for your kindness, generosity, loyalty, sense of fun, and your friendship to me and many others in the world of blogging.
I am certainly not going over the top when I say that you are one of the lovliest people that I have ever NOT met !! and I hope that, one day, we will really meet up. How fun would that be ?
I am going out with my family today, where copious ammounts of champagne will be drunk and I will raise my glass to you, my dear friend.
Will email soon, love you lots, take care and , for me....let the festivities begin !!!! XXXX

Outside The Lines said...

Deb, what an amazing post! I especially love the photo of you with your Triumph!

AJ at OFLBlog said...

What an incredible, incredible post-I just read it three times, did not want to miss a word! I, too, love Steve, maybe just a tiny bit less than I love Clint but they are/were all real men, hairy and pouty and strong....And Jackie is a real woman....Happy BDay, Jackie!! oxoxoxo

AJ at OFLBlog said...

I just came back and read it again! Yes, HOME is a fantastic, inspiring blog and Marianne, I meant Jackie, has a new follower! ox AJ

James said...

You are a good friend.You spent all that time and energy to make her birthday special. Plus you look great next to the bike!

MFAMB said...

how dumb am i? i totally thought it was all real.
a testament to you or a testament to my gullability.
GREAT story!!

Kitty said...

what a great story! i didn't know steve was from indiana like me! thinking of you and hoping you are peaceful. love, kitty

Cashon&Co said...

Fabulous. I'm going to read it twice. I love the man tote and the speidi mentions. Ha!

Katarina KĂ¼hl ~ PencilFashion said...

oh wow, these pictures are amazing!

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

I'm fairly certain had Mr. McQueen met our Jacqueline he would have fallen madly in love for real!

SpryOnTheWall said...

Awesome Deb!! Love this post! Fun fact, I was watching a Biography about Steve McQueen when I was in labor getting things ready to go to the hospital. Nice Mustang!!! Keep up the great work. Hugs from GA!

My Passport to Style said...

Hi, so glad you found me, so I found you! What slick and fun blog you have I looove it! Steve is the bomb, he makes me go weak at the knees!I must start following you so I don't miss a thing! Sharon (uk) xx

Marina Saclley @ Iced VoVo's said...

When I started reading this, I thought ... wow ... some juicy gossip!
You are too brilliant Deb ... wonderful, wonderful post!
I did so enjoy reading it!
xx

escapade said...

What a story! Happy, happy birthday to lovely Jacqueline!

Renée Finberg said...

whoa!!!
quite a cool little bit of life you have posted.
and 'who knew' jackie was steve's squeeze.

"juicy juicy juicy"

a wonderfully told tragic love story.
and chad is so like his dad.
xxx

Millie said...

Geez Deb, I love how your mind works, I want some of that! Fabulous, fabulous post & a fitting tribute to the Birthday Girl & friend to many, the gorgeous Ms. Jac.
Millie ^_^

Jane said...

What a great tribute. I wouldn't have minded a bit of tryst with SM myself (long or short, wouldn't matter)!! Happy B Day Jackie dear xoxo

Simply Mel {Reverie} said...

OH DT,
You have such a way with words, and to twist and turn it into such a sordid (yet lovely) tale of our beloved Jackie was over-the-top fabulous! Just like her! What a wonderful birthday 'shout-out'!
~Melissa

Haute World said...

What a beautiful story for the birthday girl! I think if most people didin't know a thing about McQueen, they might think it was entirely true! And a wondeful selection of pictures to go with it! My favorites are of course you with the Triumph! Hope you had a wonderful weekend :)

Brabourne Farm said...

This is the BEST birthday post anyone could wish for! Leigh

Christy said...

One of my most favorite posts to read and devour on any blog, ever! So fun, thoughtful, and creative. Just loved it Deb! What a wonderful friend you are!

La Maison Fou said...

Thanks for the story this morning.
A lovely tale truth be told or not.....
Thanks & Happy Birthday to your friend,
Leslie

Jennifer Anderson said...

Simply Fabulous!
Jackie is lucky to have such a friend.
cheers
Jennifer

Chicago Chic said...

What an amazing post and incredible journey! I loved reading this today...hope you had a great weekend. :)

xoxoxo
Rachel

Anonymous said...

darling, you had us all!! even jackie! what a storyteller you are?!!?? need you in hollywood lovey! oh the magic you'd make.
swooning!
lots of west coast love,
katie

Porchlight Interiors said...

Great post...fabulous pics! Tracey xx

Iva Messy said...

what a fabulous journey! lovely post!

Barbara said...

You weave quite a spell, Deb. And I adored Steve McQueen. Think I read someplace he wore his first suit in The Thomas Crown Affair. (why they ever tried to do a remake of that will forever be a puzzle)
A wonderfully written birthday tribute to Jackie!

Bunny, The Paris House Designs said...

Deb, this post was such fun. I love how witty and unique! You made Jackie one very happy lady :)
xoxo
Hope you are doing well.

My Dog-Eared Pages said...

This was SO great!! What an incredible birthday present - just loved it, every word! Fantastic.
Happy Birthday to Jackie! ox

Duchess of Tea said...

My darling Deb, what an amazingly love filled post. You did an incredible job of writing the story. I truly enjoyed reading it. Hope you re feeling better now luv. Take care.

Happy Birthday Jacqueline darling.

Love & Hugs
Duchess

Sarah Ring said...

Thank you for this story, allowing me to escape into it, and helping me to avoid packing for a few mintutes! Happy birthday Jacqueline!

DesignTies said...

Deb, your posts are always so creative and fun, and you find the BEST pictures to complement your words :-)

Happy Birthday to your friend Jacqueline :-)

Kelly

Sacheverell Pei said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Sacheverell Pei said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
LenoreNeverM♡re said...

Wow, what a post Deb!
Steve McQueen pics make my heart jump a beat as well!
I have to check out J blog now~
BIG XO as always!

Janet said...

Awesome post! Just the quick trip to fantasy land I needed. Love Steve. ;)

Jg. for FatScribe said...

DT -- i think you just posted my favorite blog piece ever. really an extraordinary life journey, and i learned so very much! who can be that cool? only steve mcqueen. you have outdone yourself, and you and your friend in the story still look amazing! let us normal, squishy folks in on the secret ... -Jg.

Scott Fazzini said...

Deb -You are ridiculously fantastic! Jacqueline* is a lucky lady to have you in her life.

F.Y.I. My birthday is 4 April ; )

Carole said...

Great story...who knew Jackie had such a lurid past? You're right, it is easy to be nice about someone so deserving! Funny post.....clever girl! Love your sense of humor!
xo.....Carole

Debra said...

Holy smokes-you totally had me here! I love the way your mind works Deb. I'm still unwinding... fabulous.

Unknown said...

This was ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT Deb, well done!!
Gorgeous photos of gorgeous Steve....I bet Jackie just loved this!

Your comment about Mick Jagger's lips made me laugh out loud!

Well done! :)

JennyMac said...

This was INCREDIBLE, Deb. I couldnt stop reading.

Unknown said...

Quite frankly, sometimes men suck.
Good for Jacqueline for moving on and being her best self despite everything. Happy birthday to her.
*kisses* HH

Beth Connolly said...

Fun!

Punctuation Mark said...

Great way to tell the story... love the pics and the way you weaved the story around them... very cool!

Couture Carrie said...

What a story!
Happy bday to Jackie!

xoxox,
CC

Francine Gardner said...

You had me going! I was enthralled by your story....How do you do this? These stories and images are so incredible, I cannot even imagine how many hours of work are behind these fabulous stories..
Are you planning any trip to New York.I would love to hear more stories from you...in person...

A Perfect Gray said...

Thank you for that fantastic trip. I was totally lost in your words. Your friend is one lucky gal to have you.

FROM THE RIGHT BANK said...

You're a hell of a story teller, Deb! You had me mesmerized! Thank you so much for the link love, BTW! xoxo, Ally

Shannon of HAPPINESS IS said...

LOL - this is awesome. What a fun gift to your friend. Thank you for the entertainment tonight :) xoxo

Maria Jensen said...

This was great! You are great story teller :)

Great post!

Hanna Holliday said...

Great story! : )

Unknown said...

What a fantastic story! I think I even forgot how to breath for a minute or two. Thank you for sharing it with me. And this pictures! - they make the story so unique, so spectacular...Thank you for this fantastic experience! Have a wonderful weekend.

cjsullivan133 said...

This was cool. Loved all the old photo's and the story with images would make a good coffee-table book! You should continue your story!
My true story is that I met Steve McQueen when I was eleven years old during the filming of Bullit in-between his time of shooting, and my in-between time of after school play, right before bed-time.
My parents wanted me to ask him if it was really him! So I did that the first night. I was really embarrassed. He called me a kid or a little girl and asked me to be quiet. He jokingly did this while covering my mouth. I was hulla-hooping. I was probably the youngest female fan that ever approached him! Eventually my Mom (who in the day was always told she looked like Ali McGraw!), asked him over to give my sister's and I his autograph. I still have it on the piece of ripped lunch bag he signed it on- (I guess the closest piece of paper my Mom could find!)
Mr. McQueen could be seen nightly there for awhile, during his evening breaks on Union St. going into his favorite jaunt called The Cooperage. It was a pub. I saw him frequent it with Robert Vaughn his co-star, and I also met Jacqueline Bisset (Cathy) in the movie, outside on the street as I played as well. Steve was really handsome. I think his ward-robe in the movie were his real clothes. He looked like his stock images in real life. I'm still star struck when I see his photo. So like you Jackie- I can really dig your short novella, I hope you appreciate mine! :-)

Anthony said...

Your writing is so impressive! And the story just flows so well that you really had me going there for a minute! I mean, I was practically sitting in the palm of your hand!

You used great photos, too. Btw, I had never really thought about it before, but a few of the McQueen shots reminded me of Brad Pitt. I don't think they look THAT much alike... I guess it's just that they both seem like the same "type". Y'know what I mean? Maybe it's just me, I don't know. Has that totally been pointed out before, and I somehow slept through it?

Well, again, this was a WONDERFUL post! And Jacqueline, is lucky to have the nice and giving friend she has in you. I can't imagine ANYONE I've never even met before investing the kind of time you must have spent on this!You're crazy, woman! ;)

Unknown said...

Thank you once again for allowing me to become a part of your world. What a fantastic tribute to your friend and I enjoy reading your passion in each post. Bravo !

Sarah Klassen said...

Wow, what a fabulous story!

You had me following along so intently -- I love your writing and your posts :)

Hope you are enjoying a lovely weekend.

xo

BonjourRomance said...

Bonjour Deb,
What a fantastic storyteller you are, and what a good friend to go to all this trouble for our dear Jackie. Love your photo with your Triumph.
Thanks for coming by and leaving you very kind comment. I'll be following along and will be back soon got more of your marvelous posts.
Bonne week-end!

LenoreNeverM♡re said...

Lovely Sunday to you darrrling!
I'm off to a sunny place next week~

stay cozy warm okie~
hugs*

Jaime Rogers said...

Deb, that was fantastic!!! I love when you create these fabulous storylines, they are my favorite! I hope your girlfriend has the most wonderful birthday, what a wonderful way to kick it off! You're the best, XOXO.

Btw, what is the address of her blog? Thx.

Jaime

Jaime Rogers said...

Deb, I just located Jackie's blog, thanks love!

Best,
Jaime

Beadboard UpCountry said...

Boy you can certqinly spin a nice tale! I was totally enthralled all the way through. Nice Post and all the pictures were great! What a nice gift for Jackie!!!!!!Maaryanne xo

Lisa Porter said...

ok....you seriously need to start a new blog...it could be called Tell-Her-True-Lies!
great post!
xo Lisa

annechovie said...

Ok, Deb, you seriously had me going there for a while...Happy Belated Birthday to Jackie! How thoughtful of you. Have a great week. xx

Connie @ SogniESorrisi said...

What a fun post - lovely photos.

lisa golightly said...

You had me, as you always do, hanging on every word ! What a beautiful story and friend you are !

xoxo,
lisa