Freddie And The Fahrenheits

It Ain't Gonna Be Easy

Monday 4th October 1976

After a day of relaxation following their well received Top Of The Pops appearance, the band had the next big task in their sights: recording a single. Or at least, if they could be bothered to get out of bed.

Freddie was the only one actually up and about, even though it was already nearly noon. He'd already had multiple cups of coffee, a decent breakfast and half a glass of Prosecco, and so decided it might just be time to wake the other two up.

He went to David first, purely because he knew he'd be easier. It was getting up early when he became a problem - just like when Elton woke him up at eight just to go shopping.

He opened the door slowly, but was surprised to find him sat up in bed, presumably writing lyrics.

"Morning, darling." Freddie whispered. "It's nearly noon, you know."

"Is it really?" David asked, sounding disappointed. "But I'm so cozy."

"I know, I didn't want to get up either." He chuckled. "I'll tell you what, you stay here and I'll make you some tea."

"Oh Freddie, that would be lovely."

So Freddie left to do just that. He stopped outside Elton's room on his way and listened in, concluding that he most definitely wasn't awake. It was completely silent in there, yet he still decided to at least try and get him up.

"Elton?" He whispered. "Wake up."

Nothing. He was completely out of it, just like last time. It was a sweet sight actually - he had a Watford scarf snuggled close to him, presumably from watching last night's successful match on the telly, and Dorothy was purring quietly against him.

"My loves." Freddie whispered happily to himself. "Forever."

He made his way to the kitchen, deciding to make Elton a drink too, and put the kettle on for the fourth time that day. He put on the radio and picked up Delilah, who had been sat by his feet, holding her close and eventually dancing around the room with her as the upbeat sounds of The Beach Boys played in the background.

Then the mood suddenly changed; the song changed to a heart wrenching ballad called "Song For A Rainy Day" by the now fading teen idol David Cassidy. Freddie sung to it, not realising that David could hear him from upstairs. What he also didn't realise was that this particular song has reminded him of something he'd failed to acknowledge a few days before: Terry hadn't turned up at the Top Of The Pops shoot.

He figured he'd always knew, but just didn't want to accept it.

It made him sad, but he quickly decided to leave it alone as he gently put Delilah down and poured the now boiled water into two cups, stirring them slowly. He had other things on his mind anyway. Much more important things.

He brought them upstairs and placed Elton's drink down before gently taking David's in to him.

"Here you are, darling." He said.

"Thank you, Fred." David said, taking a sip before seeming to remember something. "You were very passionate about it today."

"What?"

"You know what!" David laughed. "The singing. I could hear you - I'm surprised Elton couldn't too."

"Oh." Freddie uttered. "You really heard all that?"

"Of course I did." He said. "You're normally so cool about it."

There was an awkward silence between the two that David quickly and sensibly broke. "What's on your mind, Freddie?"