Don't Talk! (Freddie Mercury / Queen)

12. Don't Put Your Foot In It

F.M.
London, England
21st, September

"I don't want to be in a house full of men who shoot innocent animals for leisure!"

"Good," Miami smiled, "Get all of your complaints out now before the event, because I do not want to hear of you kicking up a fuss tonight."

"I really do hope Brian behaves himself," I sighed, my gaze caught Roger's, who smiled.

"You can never be sure with him," Roger frowned, "I saw him making signs earlier, 'give the badgers a chance'. I think he's planning a protest."

"Do you think Hayes would let me hand out a petition?" Brian mused aloud, quite seriously.

"No, leave Hayes alone." I quickly sobered up.

There's no need to make things difficult for him when his horrifying father is around. He's been thoroughly stressed this week, that I know based on our daily phone calls. Daily phone calls I stubbornly insisted on after Hayes' strange behaviour at my home. He was quiet, lethargic, and wasn't half as snappy as usual. That suggested something was deeply wrong with the man.

"Nobody's handing out anything." Howard, our PR manager, sighed loudly, "I don't know why you four even agreed to go to this, especially you Freddie."

"Especially me!?" I repeated, "I am the one who snagged us this invite!"

"You're also the one who pushed the right honourable Hayes Griffith through a table."

"The honourable." I scoffed, "Dear we have moved past that."

"He's the youngest son of the Earl of Hertford, so yes, that's technically his title. The eldest Oliver you can address as Lord too."

"Fuck sake," Roger's brows shot up, "Good thing I won't be talking to any of them, except Hayes."

"Wait just a fucking second, how many titles does Hayes' father have?" I blurted.

Next I will be told Hayes is next in line for the fucking throne.

"It's because of his original Earl title that he got the other titles so easily." Roger rolled his eyes. "Sodding Tories, it's all about family names and deep pockets-"

"Definitely no saying anything like that either." Miami rubbed at his temples.

"Again, I don't see why they should go at all." Howard grumbled. "But it'll look bad to pull out from such a high profile charity event now."

Poor Howard was no doubt already envisaging all the damage control he would have to do in the coming week if things went wrong. But, it's not like there weren't other celebs in attendance, the charity sluts would be there too. You know, Bob Geldof and the like. The boys and I can just stick to our fellow musicians and be completely fine.

"Freddie somehow managed to get on Hayes' good side." John piped in. "That's why we're going."

"Does he have a good side?" Brian frowned.

Roger folded his arms, "Dominique seems to think every side of Hayes is his good side."

"He's honestly not that bad." I assured them.

What? He's not. Hayes can be perfectly... lovely... when he wants to be. It just so happens that he doesn't want to be 90% of the time. That's not his fault is it? And why am I defending him?

John glanced at me, "You have changed your tune."

"As far as journalists go, he's one with a shred of integrity. It's nice to have one on side."