The Art of Attraction

Chapter 1

December 2021

It was nice to be out doing something. Anything. After being stuck at home for what felt like an age, he was glad to be at an event. To be somewhere besides his house.

Roger showed his invitation to the doorman who allowed him entry into the noisy gallery. There were already several dozen people milling around. People who also appeared thrilled to be out in the world again. Everyone seemed dressed up and dolled up. Happy to be wearing their finest clothes again. Happy to be somewhere besides on the screen of their phone or laptop. A few still wore masks. But that was common nowadays.

Ambient music played softly in the background and the lighting was bright. Offering a good view of the collection of paintings and drawings hung on the white walls of the large art gallery in Mayfair. Roger did a cursory look around and admired the unique pieces in his eyeline. He heard people making remarks about the work and wondered how many of the pieces would sell that night.

Roger pulled off his coat and walked to the cloak room at the entrance of the gallery. Exchanging his long wool coat for a ticket as he offered it to the person checking coats. He turned around and spotted the gallery owner and smiled.

"Roger! You made it!" John declared with delight as he saw his friend.

"I did..." Roger responded as the men shared a warm embrace. "I decided to come after all..." he explained as John looked at him with appreciation.

"I'm glad..." John told him as he patted Roger's arm. "I think you needed to get out..." he remarked as Roger nodded agreement and sighed.

"Yes..." Roger concurred. "I definitely need to get out..." he said as John gestured at a waiter walking by. The man stopped and held out his tray of cocktails.

"You can start your evening by having one of these..." John advised as he handed Roger a tall glass filled with an orange liquid.

"What is it?" Roger questioned.

"It's an orange martini and you will love it!" John answered. Roger took a sip and found the fresh citrusy flavor appealing.

"It's good..." Roger remarked as John took his own glass from the tray. The men clinked their glasses together and took another sip. John then looked up and spotted the artist.

"Freddie!" John called to him. "I want you to meet the artist..." John advised as a young man with long black hair and a strikingly handsome face approached them. He was wearing a vintage black and yellow floral jacket and black satin trousers. Roger admired his style and held out his hand to the charismatic artist.

"Freddie Mercury...meet Roger Taylor...a friend of mine from my school days..." John stated as he introduced them. Freddie smiled brightly and shook Roger's hand.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Roger..." Freddie said as he eyed the older good looking blond.

"Nice to meet you too..." Roger replied. "I'm keen to see your work..." he stated as he smiled at the younger man. "John raved to me about it..." he said as Freddie formed a proud expression.

"John has been a great support with my show and I hope this is a success as much for him as for myself..." Freddie said appreciatively.

"The show will be a success because of your talent..." John assured him. A woman came up and tapped Freddie on the shoulder.

"Excuse me...enjoy the show..." Freddie said as he turned to meet someone the woman was with.

"I'm going to look around...go tend to your other guests..." Roger told John. Wanting him to know he didn't need to babysit him.