Relations between France and England have recently seen a symbolic gesture with the loan of the Bayeux Tapestry, a historic artifact depicting the Norman Conquest of England, which was displayed in the UK. During the event, UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham and French President Emmanuel Macron exchanged smiles, signaling a renewed sense of friendship between the two nations. However, a new book released in France may challenge this renewed camaraderie. In Code Yesterday, author Michel Bussi proposes a fictional theory that every song credited to the Beatles was actually written by a woman of French descent. Bussi clarifies that the book is a work of fiction, but it draws on real-life Beatles lore and historical settings. Bussi is one of France’s most successful thriller writers, with millions of books sold and several adaptations into films. His previous work, J'ai dû rêver trop fort, was inspired by the story of American folk singer Sixto Rodriguez. His latest novel stems from a lifelong fascination with the Beatles, whom he refers to as “garçons dans le vent” (boys in the wind). The plot centers on a character named Yvonne McKenzie, who meets John Lennon and Paul McCartney near St. Peter’s church on 6 July 1957, the day they first met. Yvonne, a customs inspector from Normandy with a French mother and an English father, develops a crush on them. She begins humming a song while sitting on a bus with Paul McCartney, which he later claims as his own. According to the novel, the song "I Feel Fine" was inspired by a household appliance interfering with the phone line, and "Can't Buy Me Love" by a rhythm she created while whisking an egg. "Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Da" is said to be the first syllables of her newborn son. As a female songwriter in the 1960s, Yvonne remains faceless but demands that the Beatles include nods to her French origins in their music. These include the first bars of "All You Need Is Love" referencing "La Marseillaise" and "Michelle" as a tribute to her mother, Micheline. Bussi claims his story is supported by research into books, movies, and documentaries, and he is particularly fond of the Beatles' albums Rubber Soul and Revolver, noting their experimental yet accessible energy. The novel touches on mysterious aspects of the Beatles’ history, including the deaths of Stuart Sutcliffe and Brian Epstein. A grumpy old rock critic, an ardent Stones fan, supports Yvonne’s story. Despite a MI5 disinformation campaign, the public begins to believe her, leading to a twist that makes Bussi’s story plausible. He describes the novel as a homage to the Beatles' enduring charm, suggesting their appeal is universal, as their songs could have been written by or about a woman. Bussi notes the Beatles' image as "nice-looking boys" yet their boldness surpasses that of many avant-garde artists. He adds that while creating Yvonne's French ancestry was fun, he acknowledges that the English are better at rock music.