Heirs To Queen

Alyssia May

*Warning contains mentions of suicide*

September 1970

"That's it, keep stirring," Brian is baking a cake with Alice and Amelia's assistance. He's pulled their high chairs over to the kitchen counter so they can reach. It's Freddie's birthday tomorrow and Amelia insisted she wanted to make a cake so of course Alice wanted to help too.

Since Alice's arrival in June, the girls have been inseparable friends, more like sisters. Roger and Freddie are both working at their stall in Kensington Market so Brian's babysitting. Not that he minds.

He's currently guarding the bowl as the pair stir it then takes the batter and pours it into a cake tin before putting it in the oven.

He cleans the girl's hands and then finds them some colouring. There's a knock at the door as he's grabbing the pencils, it splits the girl's attention. While Amelia continues with her colouring, Alice is distracted wanting to know who is at the door, "Da?"

"No, it's not your dad, poppet," Brian ruffles her blonde hair and goes to the door.

Swinging it open he sees Sally Phillips standing there, "Mrs Philips? What can I do for you?"

"Sally, please," She corrects him, "I'm here on official business."

Brian doesn't like the sound of that, "Come in," He steps aside so she can enter and closes the door.

"Oh, hello girls," Sally chuckles seeing the pair in their high chairs.

"If it's to do with Alice or Amelia, Roger and Freddie are both at work that's why I'm babysitting."

"Not a problem it's you I need to speak to though it might be better for me to come back later. What I need to talk to you about is serious and I see you have your..."

She interrupted by Freddie and Roger coming in, "Mrs Philips?" Roger is surprised to see her when they enter.

"Are you here about Amelia or Alice?" Freddie asks.

"No, it's Brian I need to speak. Do you want to talk somewhere quieter?" Sally asks the guitarist.

"Whatever it is can be said in front of them."

"Alright, you might want to sit down and please remove the girls from earshot." Freddie takes the pair through to Alice's room putting them down for a nap.

"You're not going to tell him he's got a daughter too are you?" Roger jokes but Sally doesn't laugh and glances awkwardly at Brian.

Somehow Brian isn't surprised, "He's hit the nail on the head?"

"Yes, he has," Roger sheepishly sits down and Sally continues, "Alyssia was born on the 1st of October 1968, so she'll be two in a few weeks. Do you know someone called Annie Browns?"

"Yes, she was my girlfriend in 1966 for a little over a year. I think I know where this is going, I did get her pregnant. We used protection but it failed, I wasn't ecstatic about it but I said I'd do right by her if that's what she wanted and I'd look after both of them. Two months in she said had a miscarriage then broke up with me saying it was too much of a reminder."

"Annie reached out to social services a week ago about getting in contact with you, she explained what you just told me and that she never lost the baby she just didn't want to tie you down. Last night there was a change in situation, Annie took her own life."

Brian drops his head in his hands, "Christ. So want now, will Alyssia go it her grandparents?" He remembers Annie's parents well.

"No, while Annie's parents supported their daughter they disapproved of her having Alyssia and have refused to take their granddaughter in. In their words, 'It's your turn to look after her now'."