There For Me • queen • r.t

(5)

5th September 1971

"Thanks for coming with me Mon,"

"Who would wanna miss out on free food?" She laughed

The girls had arrived at Freddie's parents house for his birthday meal. Celeste has brought along Monica seen as she and Freddie were quite close.

While everyone was having their own conversations, Celeste fumbled with the rings on Rogers fingers.

"Did Farrokh not tell you he was born in Zanzibar?" Asked Freddie's mother Zer.

"No he did not," replied Mary

"I used to know a girl who was Zanzibari," said Roger
"Congratulations want a gold medal?" replied Celeste

"I thought Freddie was born in London?" Asked John

"Kash, Freddie's sister replied, "oh, he was, at the age of 18,"

"Our family is Indian Parsee," Freddie's mother had appeared once again with what looked like a photo album.

This resulted in protests from both Freddie and Kashmira.

"We need to see these," exclaimed Monica.

"thousand years ago, the Parsees fled to India from Persia to escape Muslim persecution.

"Really? That's terrible. So why did you leave Zanzibar?

Bomi, Freddie's father replied, "We didn't leave. He's so small.
We were chased out with just the clothes on our backs. He was quite a good boxer, actually,"

While the rest of the table and minor conversation and about a boxing skills from when he was younger both Kash and Celeste had noticed Freddie singing and playing the piano.

"Mercury?" Asked Kash

"No looking back. Only forward."

"So now the family name's not good enough for you?" Asked Bomi

"It's just a stage name." Spoke Zer trying to keep the peace.

"No, it's not. I changed it legally. Got a new passport and everything."

"Kash, how old are you here?" Celeste asked pointing to the young girl in the picture.

"I don't know. It was before Freddie went off to boarding school."

"I sent Farrokh away to make a good Parsee boy of him. He was too wild and unruly. But what good did it do?
Good thoughts, good words, good deeds. You can't get anywhere pretending to be
someone you're not!"

"Who'd like some cake?" Asked Zer as the phone rang

"Who wouldn't," laugh Monica
"Chandler," laughs Celeste

"Cake is always good." Says Brian

"Freddie Mercury. Phone call." Smiles Kash
"Quite like the sound of that."

Celeste seemed to have been daydreaming while eating the cake until her ears pricked up at the conversation beside her.

"Kash...what are you doing later?" Roger asks
"Homework." She replies clearly oblivious to point Roger was trying to get across.

Celeste jabbed her elbow into Roger earning a groan
Bomi clears his throat glaring at the blonde boy.

"Just making conversation."

"I have an announcement. One of the A&R men... from EMI saw us recording. Gave our demo to John Reid. He looks after Elton John."

"Oh, my God." Whispers Celeste

"Mr. Reid wants to meet us... and possibly, even manage us."

"Shut up." Says Brian

"You're joking!"

"Oh, my god!"

The band circles together hugging each other in disbelief.