TURN BACK THE TIME, BABE. BOOK 4. SUNNY SKIES BREAK THROUGH BEHIND THE CLOUDS

I'M NOT AT MY USUAL TOP BILLING

I've just turned to 27 years old and I felt like the loneliest person in the planet. Country Cousins looked amazing to the surprise party Freddie had thrown for Black and me. I had no idea we shared birthday and the same age. I was sure we were born at the same hour, though separated by the Atlantic. Our coincidences were weird in people so different as ourselves. It seemed the destiny wanted to keep us together and so stop being the fierce enemies we were.

Paul came to meet me at my home telling me with wide smile that Freddie had a present for me. I didn't expect the leader of Queen could even know in which damn day of the year I was born. I knew quite well he loved giving presents and memorize the dates. I hadn't so clear he regarded me important enough to get me into that exclusive circle.

All through my life, my birthday date was never a reason to celebrate. Since my parents died, 2nd february was just another day in the calendar. My uncle and aunt never gave me anything and very soon at an early age I started to find out that was going to be one of the first perversities that kept me company. I looked around and all the children led so different lives, so carefree. They celebrated those parties in their nice homes, with mountain of presents, candies and clowns entertaining. And I came back to a wreckage of a home where the first thing I had to do was washing the dishes from the day before and cooking my dinner if I wanted to fill my stomach. When there was any food in the fridge.

Well, really that outlook was the most favorable. Other times these childhood tasks must add cleaning up vomits from the shameless drunks of my uncle in law, make sure my auntie didn't keep all the garbage under her bed. Very appropriate things for a little girl.

With that pleasant and edifying background was understandable I didn't know what it was celebrating a birthday party and Paul's words were hard to take.

I didn't meet Harris again since I came back from the tour. He didn't call me and I didn't call him. I knew he was not free, he lived with a woman. That, of course, fueled my endless envy and I imagined in my wild fantasies I could did away with her as soon as I intended to do it. But then I forced myself to calm down and admit I was a distraction for Bob and come to terms with it. And he was for me.

Such a big distraction to lose my calculating brain in the clouds and stop taking my daily pill. And now I was fucking pregnant of that wild passing fancy. I was a bloody fool, I never thought I would lower my guard so much.

I wasn't at my prime. I found strangely sensitive and I knew I would cry if I wasn't able to control myself. Too many emotions involved. My damn pregnancy, memories of Harris which haunted me, Freddie's gift. I was falling apart and I was glad Paul was witness once again of that crumbling.

- Why do you cry?

- Because it's going to be my first birthday party that someone throws for me.

- Really? Not even when you were a child...?

- Not even.

- Well, I think it's time someone celebrates the day you were born, darling.

I put on an outfit of tight tartan pants and strap top which showed my belly still impecably plain. Then I put on a baby blue coat and a wool beige hat. To finish the outfit military boots. My body language said: "Just you dare messing with me".

They sang me happy birthday from the minute I entered and I covered my mouth with my hands as my eyes scouted everything around me. I must look like a child moving over the chimney to see the presents.