CAUSE & EFFECT (Vol III)

Part 27- "Come on then big boy"

Uncomfortably, Freddie kept his head down as he walked through the restaurant. Under normal circumstances, he was never bothered by people staring at him, but on this occasion he was desperately praying no one would approach him or Brian for an autograph or picture.

"I can't believe you talked me into coming here" he sat down with his back was towards the dining area, while Brian was forced to sit in full view of peering eyes.

"Since when do you care about a few looks?" Brian asked as he opened the menu hungrily.

"Since..." Freddie couldn't finish his sentence, the truth was, he had no idea why he was being such a recluse. His entire life revolved around being in the studio or being in Daisy's apartment, where he was safe and happy.

Brian noticed the pause in Freddie's sentence and looked up "are you ok mate?" He asked with slight concern in his tone.

"I'm fine. Let's just eat" Freddie snapped while picking up his own menu.

"Oh great" Brian mumbled under his breath "don't turn around, I don't think he's seen us"

"For fucks sake Brian you can't tell me not to turn around!" Freddie turned his head in annoyance.

Alex, was being seated a few tables away and it appeared he would be dining alone, as the waited cleared the second place setting.

Freddie quickly turned back to Brian, his face tense and irritated "I hate that wanker" running his hands through his hair he looked around, trying to find a way to leave without needing to pass Alex.

"Fuck" Brian mumbled smiling and waving

"Tell me you're not waving at him"

With a continued beaming mouth full of teeth Brian clenched his jaw "he's coming over"

Despite not having any confrontations with Alex, the band had collectively agreed that he was, quite frankly, a fuck wit.

"Alex, great to see you mate" Brian welcomed as he stood up and shook Alex's hand.

Freddie stood silently while screaming profanities inside his own head "Alex its been a while"

"It certainly has Freddie, I'm glad to see you both looking well"

A momentary pause between the three reached awkwardness before Brian broke it "would you like to join us?"

"I would appreciate that, thank you." He replied as he pulled over a chair from the table beside them.

Freddie kept his head low and adjusted his cutlery wondering whether he would get away with stabbing Brian in the throat with his fork.

"Freddie, I am terribly sorry to hear about Daisy, she speaks so fondly of you I am sure you miss her greatly"

Alex's comment, despite not being directly rude, felt to Freddie, as though he was making a mockery of the situation.

"Actually, I'm staying with her at the moment so I don't really miss her at all, we're together every evening" Freddie's casual response had Brian stare at him in confusion. So much effort has been made to keep his stay with Daisy under wraps, and now he was openly telling Alex who had no business knowing.

"I see" Alex was quite taken aback by Freddie's confession but refused to let on that he wasn't already aware "yes she had mentioned that you were at her place temporarily. She tells me so many things I simply can't keep up"

Brian attempted to diffuse the growing tension "I hear the fish here is magnificent"

"The other night she was telling me about how long it took her to get her bikini area waxed" Alex laughed "I simply said, darling, I don't care about the upkeep I just want the end product"