Freddie And The Fahrenheits

"I Do Know How To Play Piano!"

Saturday 2nd October 1976

The week passed by pretty slowly at first, but soon enough it seemed to go by like lightning. On the Sunday after they were told of their TV appearance, they were planning what to do and how they'd do it, claiming that they had plenty of time - by Wednesday they were panicking slightly. Luckily though, they'd long since started practicing.

But back to the Saturday in question. They weren't going live until just after seven, so they could get away with a bit of a lie in. David suggested ten. They slept an hour extra.

It was at that time that things started to get very real. David woke up first, having broken into a cold sweat; he'd had a dream the night before that when they went on Top Of The Pops, they'd mucked it up. He decided to splash himself with water, have a coffee and hope for the best.

Freddie woke up not long after, his decision to get up being fuelled by cat cuddles. He was very excited, the whole experience being the only thing he talked about. That and the fact Terry had booked tickets to be in the studio audience.

David told Freddie about his dream over another cup of coffee. It was his second and Freddie's first, though he woke up a lot quicker than David so it didn't really matter.

"Don't worry yourself, darling." Freddie said, taking a sip as Dorothy rubbed herself against his leg. "You'll soon get used to it again. It's a whole new start, so you're bound to be a little nervous at first."

"I think someone wants cuddles." David chuckled, noticing the fluffy tail waving back and forth. "But yes, I'm sure you're right. I know someone who hasn't taken too long to get used to it."

"Elton is just a ball of crazy, perpetual excitement." Freddie laughed. "Performing is second nature to him, even without a costume covered in feathers!"

"Speaking of Elton, where is he?" David asked.

"Probably still sleeping." Freddie chuckled. "Maybe we should go wake him up."

So the two went upstairs to do just that. When they went into his room, he was indeed still completely out for the count. Oscar jumped onto his bed and started licking his ear, but even that didn't wake him. He didn't even stir.

"Elton, wake up." David said firmly. "We're going on telly later, remember?"

Not a single movement. As Oscar kept licking Elton's ear, Freddie realised what they had to do.

"Hm, should we listen to some music?" He asked. "Oh look, there's a Buddy Holly album!"

"Oh yeah, put it on!"

Elton's eyes snapped open. "Put the Crickets down."

They hadn't even touched it. Freddie and David laughed hysterically as Elton sat up and rubbed his eyes.

"Fine, I'm up."

"Were you actually still asleep then?" David asked through his laughter.

"I was until something touched my ear!" He said, reaching to grab his glasses. "Did you get one of the cats to lick me on purpose?"

"No, actually." Freddie said. "Oscar must have a sixth sense."

"Where are my specs?" Elton asked, being practically blind without them.

"Here." David chuckled, having picked them up to give him.

"Thanks, doll." He said in a very camp fashion. "Right, let's get down to business. What time is it and do I have time for a cuppa?"

"It's nearly twelve." Freddie smirked. "Lucky for you, I put the kettle on just before we came to get you."

"What would I do without you two?" Elton laughed, giving him a hug. "Come on then, we have no time to loose!"