the kensington market - freddie mercury one shot

{the kensington market}

November 20th, 1991

Beth slowly creeped open the door to find Freddie, snuggled under his covers, the wind gently blowing his short hair. He slowly turned his head toward the door and a smile creeped onto his pale face. "Hello Beth," he said smiling.  Beth sat next to him and put her arm around him. 

"How do you feel?" Beth said softly.

Freddie coughed. "I've been better."

They both turned their heads to face each other. Beth plastered a smile on her face, but couldn't feel happy. She knew the end was creeping closer.

"Do you remember the day we met? In the Kensington Markets?" Freddie said hoarsely.

"I'll never forget. June 15th, 1969."

________________________________

Elizabeth walked into the doors of the crowded Kensington Market. The humidity of the hot summers day spewed into the building, and the rays of sun danced through the front windows. Elizabeth had nothing to do all day. She was off work Sundays, her brother was always busy with work and she had nobody to do anything with.

She browsed the stores, not really interested in anything in the place. She strolled into a narrow walkway, and saw an interesting store to her left. She glanced to see two young people, one with short, dark hair hanging on his shoulders. He had dark brown eyes and a gentle stubble painted across his face. The other had long blonde hair and strapping blue eyes. Elizabeth thought he was a woman at first glance.

"Hello there!" The brown haired man yelled enthusiastically. Elizabeth shot up a kind wave as the two smile at her.

"I'm Freddie, and this is Roger," Freddie said, pointing towards the blonde.

"See anything you like?" Roger asked.

Elizabeth turned to look at a beautiful floral dress in the back of the unit, behind all of the beautiful antique clocks, necklaces, kettles and furniture, cluttered around the small unit.

"I quite like that dress over there." Beth said pointing. Freddie quickly turned his head and clapped, excited as over.

"That dress would look great on you darling!" Freddie said as he pulled the dress off the wall and gently placed it into her hands and ushered her into a small room. Freddie sat back down onto his small plastic chair, continuing his conversation with Roger about his band, Smile.

Elizabeth slowly creeped the door open. Freddie smiled and Roger widened his eyes. "My, Oh, My. You look amazing!" Freddie said. Elizabeth smiled at his response.

"How much is it?" Elizabeth said.

"Thirty-five pounds." Roger said in his raspy voice. Elizabeth reached down into her bag, and slumped her shoulders in disappointment.

"Ah. I only have thirty."

Freddie wagged his finger. "Don't worry about it. I will discount it for you, since it looks so good," Freddie paused for a moment, and began scrawling on a piece of paper with his orderly cursive handwriting, and folded the paper into a small square. "This is your receipt. What was your name again?" He asked.

"I'm Elizabeth. Elizabeth Newton. But you can call me Beth." She said with a smile, taking the paper from his hands.

"I'm Freddie. Freddie Bulsara."

"Nice to meet you both." Beth said with a smile walking out. She looked down, opening the paper. She looked to the bottom of the page and it read:

'Thank you for buying the dress.

(FM 5-1946) Call me here.'

________________________________________

"I remember that day like it was yesterday." Beth said, stroking Freddie's hair.

"So do I. Thank you for coming today Beth. Will you be back next week?" Freddie said smiling.

"Of course I will. Wednesday, half-ten. Just like always." Beth said, peeling herself off of Freddie's bed. 

"Goodbye Freddie." 

"Goodbye Elizabeth. See you next week." 

Beth closed the door and left Garden Lodge, waving goodbye to Jim as she left.

____________

November 24th, 1991

Beth sat down at her dining table, and the phone rang. 

"Hi Jim. How's Freddie?" Beth said, and silence met her ears.

"Hello Beth. I'm so sorry to say this, but-"

Beth dropped the phone. Jim didn't even need to finish his sentence before Beth knew what was going on. 

She had just lost her best friend of over twenty years.