Drowse - First Season - Finished

Chapter 31 - Queen II and Miss London/March 1974

POV Helena

March

On March first, Friday, after a busy morning in college with jobs and exams, and the afternoon spent preparing for Miss London, finally at eight in the evening, I arrived exhausted. Clare had already arrived from the Architecture stage she's doing this afternoon, just as Sarah and Vanessa had already come in from their stages. I greeted the three of them and Clare was finishing dinner.

"Go take a relaxing shower and come to dinner with my friend and then tell us about the preparations for Miss London today," she said, smiling.

I took a really relaxing shower and then went to dinner. I commented on Clare, Vanessa and Sarah about the swimsuit parades that the candidates had to do today, the jury question. They were four jurors and I did not intimidate them. My friends were excited about the contest, much more than I was.

About ten o'clock in the evening, Freddie called to me exultingly. The band would make a presentation at Blackpool Winter Gardens in a few moments. I wished all the luck in the world for my friend and the band. The Queen II album will be released on March 8th. Freddie said that Bri is already well, that is normal, still I asked my friend to talk a lot with Bri, to give some advice to him. I worry about Brian doing something stupid again. Glad they're on tour, at least have something to mind with.

On March 2, Saturday, almost midnight I was in the living room finishing reading a book on Art History that the teacher asked to read, for a theoretical test that the students will do in two weeks, In college. The test will be difficult. Clare, Vanessa and Sarah went out with Les, Tim and Louis. They went to a pub. They called me, but I said I'd stay tonight, studying. I wanted peace of mind too, and whoever is Miss's candidate can not be in those places where there are alcoholic drinks. You have to behave above all else. I already have a good behavior, I have always been quiet, but, now I want to demonstrate dedication.

He would finish reading a chapter of the book, making some notes on the paper, when the phone rang. Midnight. Who could it be at this hour?

I picked up the phone. It was Freddie, talking to me about the show on the second night of the tour. They performed at Friars Club in Aylesbury. Freddie said the band's performance was good, but it could have been better. Freddie commented that Bri had felt an intense pain in his arm and that compromised the presentation of the band. After the presentation they took Bri to the local hospital and it was found that Bri's swollen arm was caused by an unsterile needle. It is that when the boys went to Australia, they took vaccines, but as the needle that they applied in Bri was not sterilized it caused an infection in his arm. Bri took some medications at the hospital and the doctor said that he would soon be well for Queen's upcoming performances. As Freddie talked about Bri, I was very worried about him. They were at the hotel and for a moment I asked Freddie to call Bri so I could talk to him, but I remembered that the guitarist did not want to talk to me. Bri is very hurt with me still and I do not know how long. After a little chat with me, Freddie hung up the phone, saying he was going to sleep, to be ready for the show the next night. Sunday I stayed home studying for the future college exams and thinking about Brian's health. By eleven o'clock that evening, Freddie called me and said that they had performed at the Guildhall in Plymouth and that Bri was much better.

The days passed ... On March 8, the Queen II album was released. When I arrived at night in the apartment, the girls were exultant, in the living room, with LPs of the band in hand. Clare hugged me and said:

- Helena, the LPs arrived. The boys sent it to us. Look. Freddie sent it specially for you.

Helena handed me my LP. I picked it up and saw the beautiful cover that Mick Rock played, similar to the actress Marlene Dietrich, in the movie The Shanghai Express. Freddie was in the same position as Marlene in the photo. The cover is iconic. It will attract everyone's attention. Later, Freddie called the apartment and asked if he liked the surprise. He said that I loved and thanked him very much. He said he would not have much time to talk, because the band would, in a few moments, get on the stage. I wished the band a great presentation. Freddie just said,