Why would I forget ? | Roger Taylor

6- birthday

19th July 1972

"Freddie ! I've not got my fucking cigs wait !" I shouted, Freddie giggling as he made his way out of the door and down the many flights of stairs.

"Fuck you." I laughed, finally grabbing my packet of cigarettes and Brian's present before leaving my flat and locking the door behind me. I followed behind Freddie as we walked out of the apartment building and to my car parked round the corner.

I was wearing a brown leather skirt, that was dangerously short, and a long sleeved black top to match. As well as the same boots I always wore and an old jacket that used to be Emily's. Freddie was wearing another pare of flared jeans that looked like they made him suffocate, and a shirt that I was certain I'd seen Roger wear before.

We both got into my old, slightly run down car, Freddie checking his eyeliner in my wing mirror as I drove us both to Brian's place. It wasn't far, but Freddie wasn't a fan of walking. He didn't drive himself, he always got lifts of other people.

"Oh fuck. Darling tell me you've got the bag ?" Freddie asked, a clear panic in his tone.

"What the one with Brian's present ?" I replied, glancing at the singer in the passenger seat who was freaking out a little. "It's in the boot. Calm down, calm down." We both laughed as Freddie let out a little sigh of relief.

The majority of the car journey was full of small talk, just simple words to fill the gaps in the air between us as we neared Brian's house.

"It's that one there darling! Park the bloody car women." He exclaimed, frantically pointing at the guitarists house.

"Yes yes I know, what do you think I'm doing. Do you want to drive do you ?" He shook his head rapidly and let out a little snigger as we got out of the car.

Freddie tapped loudly on the guitarist's door as I stood behind him shyly, Brian's present in one hand and the other playing nervously with the zip on my jacket.

"Fred, Tee !" John smiled brightly and squeezed me and Freddie into a big hug.

"We thought you weren't gonna bloody show up at this rate." Deaky laughed. Me and Fred stepped through Brian's front door and both followed him into the lounge were I presumed the other guys were.

"Happy birthday Bri !" Freddie yelled as his eyes met Brian's. The guitarist went a bright shade of red, causing Roger and John to laugh at his embarrassment.

"Thanks Freddie." They exchanged a small hug before Fred crashed down into an armchair next to the couch Roger and John were sat on.

"Happy birthday." I planted a small kiss on Brian's cheek, causing him to blush the slightest bit, and handed him the bag in my hand. He rummaged through the bundles of tissue paper Fred had stuffed on top of his gift and found one of his favourite Jimi Hendrix albums.

"It's not much... but we didn't wanna come empty handed love." Freddie added.

"No no, thank you." Brian gave me a small hug of appreciation.

"Yeah well, your old now Bri." I replied. The others laughed loudly as I took a seat next to Roger on the sofa. The guitarist softly shook his head and chuckled as I lit a cigarette and offered one to the drummer sat beside me, and he obviously didn't refuse.

"Fred do you want a drink ?" Roger asked, breaking the very brief moment of silence.

"Yeah... can of beer wouldn't be missed." Roger raised an eyebrow at Brian, hinting at the fact he had no clue where anything was.

"The fridge you spoon." John and I laughed.

"Oh right. Peps, do you want a drink whilst I'm up ?" Roger asked, rubbing the back of his neck gently. I took a moment to think, and mainly to wait for a nod of approval from Freddie opposite to let me know I could drink. He was trying to get me to cut down a bit since, well since I seemed to consume more alcohol than air these days.