Real Life or Fantasy? - 'Bohemian Rhapsody', Roger Taylor

No Looking Back, Only Forward

"This is bollocks," cried Roger as the group convened on the roadside next to their broken-down van. They had been travelling back from playing at a bunch of pub gigs when something with the back tire went wrong. "Sold out every pub and uni South of Glasgow and I'm stuck out here in the middle of nowhere eating a ham sandwich!"

"At least you've got good company," spoke up Mallory from where she was leaning against the side of the van.

The group had been playing together for close to a year now, continuing with gigs at universities and pubs, but increasing in number and size. They had also renamed themselves 'Queen', after Her Royal Highness, as Freddie had said. They were all becoming more ambitious though.

John was trying his best, albeit struggling, trying to fix the van's problem. "Bloody tire," he grunted, smacking the side of the van.

"Oi!" said Roger. "Gently with my van."

"It's the love of his life," Mal chuckled.

"It's counter-clockwise I think you'll find, John," Brian instructed, standing over John while he worked, hands in his pockets.

"Oh, is it? Thank you Brian, would you like to do it? Please, feel free."

"No, no, you're doing a good job. Please continue."

"How much do you think we could get for the van?" Freddie suddenly asked.

"I hope you're joking," exclaimed Roger, almost spitting out his bite of sandwich.

"I've been thinking we need to go bigger."

"What do you have in mind, Fred?" asked Brian.

"An album."

"We can't afford an album," spoke up John from where he was crouched almost underneath the van.

"Hence, the van-" The others saw where Freddie was going with this.

"But, my van!" Roger was still gawking at the possibility that anyone would even suggest that he part with his precious van.

"Cheer up, Darling," said Freddie, clapping his hands. "You're recording an album!"

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For his birthday, Freddie finally took the band to meet his family, his mum, dad, and younger sister, Kashmira.

The other guests included Freddie's girlfriend and closest friend, Mary, as well as her father.

"Please tell your father it's nice to meet him," Freddie told Mary. Her father was deaf and communicated using sign language.

"I have."

"Then thank him for the lovely birthday cake."

"I have." She smiled.

"Hmm." Freddie lowered his voice, then said, "Then tell him his daughter's an epic shag."

Mary's smile fell. "Freddie, he can read lips."

Freddie's smile also fell and he looked up to see Mary's father staring at him from across the table.

Mary quickly intervened and whispered to Freddie. "Are Roger and Mallory-" She nodded to the two. "Dating?" They had been flirting this whole time, and were sitting very close. She had thought they were a couple the first time she met them, and wasn't the only one to think that.

"I don't think so," Freddie answered, glancing over at his two lovesick band mates. "Though it's hard to tell, isn't it?"

"I think it's cute," Kash joined in, who was sitting on her brother's other side.