Winter Queen (Roger Taylor fanfic)

24. ...Freddie had a birthday party

Josie prepared her costume carefully. She definitely refused to be Alice, although Brian agreed with Freddie, that she would be perfect. She had a top hat and black ornate silk collar with a bow, black tank top and red jacket with tails. She wore white lace cuffs on her wrists. She adjusted her white stockings with black lace patter and black miniskirt. After that she put on black ankle shoes with high heels and checked herself out in the mirror. At last she pinned pocket watch to the jacket pocket and was satisfied.

Scott came to her in his suit, he was getting ready for a bussiness dinner.

"Wow, hot." His hand ran under her skirt.

"Alice would be so boring."

"Are all Mercury's parties like this?"

"I remember you could wear casual clothes back then." she smiled a little. "But it was never a peaceful party."

"You want to get a ride? You can't wear this on the subway."

She wrinkled her nose, it hurt her linguist's heart to hear their dear London tube be called subway.

"No, it's in the Green Bar, I can walk, it's a short way."

They said goodbye, Josie had a bit of time to do her make up. She didn't want to drive around London with a car, she was so happy to be back, that she enjoyed every walk, every underground ride, to see her old favourite places and to see what's new. She loved the English weather and today it was exceptionally nice.

She went out through the back door of the embassy, nodded at the watchmen, who looked at her in disbelief.

She walked carelessly, sometimes somebody looked at her, otherwise people in London were used to everything and she wasn't that interesting to anyone. She missed that too.

At the entrance to the bar, she said her name and went in. She remembered, like two years ago, just a few streets further, she slipped to the private party with Susan, just by an accident and how it changed her live. But here they were again, Susan appeared next to her in her Queen of hearts costume, in the company of a Hare, her newly-wed husband. Josie felt sorry she missed her wedding because of the fuss with moving.

They were introduced, the girls hugged. Soon enough Freddie came running to them, also in a Queen of hearts costume, but really elaborate one. Josie wished him happy birthday.

"How can you be so cute and sexy at the same time, darling?" Freddie asked. "I'm thrilled you came. Come on, let's have tea!"

They sat by the bar and Freddie really asked for tea. To nobody's surprise, it was London iced tea, with a generous portion of vodka, white rum and gin, although they served in cups, poured from a teapot.

Josie looked around from her high stool to see the rest. She wasn't surprised Brian was also dressed as the Mad Hatter, Deaky had a simple card costume. Roger had a stripped suit, at the beginning of the party he wore mask of grinning cat. It laid beside him now, because stradled on his lap sat a red-haired girl and they were kissing. Josie looked away.

Susan watched her with worries, but thanks to the magical tea Josie relaxed and chatted with others. But soon enough Susan noticed Josie drinks much more, than she used to and so Susan grabbed the first opportunity to talk to Josie alone.

"So, are you drinking profesionally now or is the stuff about Roger bothering you?"

"You can guess." Josie answered.

"Well I guess you're not over him in the least."

"I should be." Josie sighed. "He said ugly things, he's doing, well, what's he doing now..."

Susan hugged her.

"I know that..." Josie sobbed, partly because of all the alcohol. "I know this is him, everybody always said so, but... it never was my Roger."

"Sweetie." Susan comforted her. "Do you know what we have to do? We need to show him! Stop crying, you'll smudge your make up. Look at you. You are sexy as hell! Mysterious, seductive, plus your girly face, look, I'd fuck you right now, if I had the right parts. So we'll go now, large it on the dance floor, make his head burst, when he'll see what he let get away!"

Josie required more tea boost, before went to the dance floor with Susan.

"Josie!" Chris exclaimed and ran to them. Josie hugged her and Chris joined their dance. When they lost breath, they went to get some more tea and went back.

"I think Brian would take you to a threesome!" Freddie shouted to Josie's ear, when he joined them.

"You are disgusting!" Josie smacked his shoulder. "I need a minute!"

While she danced, she was alright but now she had small issues to walk straight. She went to the dark corridor that lead to the toilets and leaned against the wall.

"Careful there, Alice." she heard a voice behind her and somebody held her waist. She stepped away, but the person hold her tight.

"I'm not Alice." she growled unfriendly and turned to see the man. He was a stranger, she didn't remember him, not even from the past. Judging by his clothes, he wasn't invited, he didn't wear a costume and Freddie wouldn't tolerate that.

"I noticed you're alone here, all your friends have their husbands." he noted, she stepped away again, but he followed her. "Aren't you lonely?"

"Let me go." she tried to sound steady, but her voiced shook a bit.

"Oh come on, I don't mean to hurt you, just to give you a bit of man's attention. That's why you writhe at the dance floor, to get an attention, right? In this tiny skirt."

"Let her go before I smash your face." Roger shouted from the other end of the corridor.

"Get out, we don't need anyone here. Everyhing is fine, right, Alice?"

Roger ran for the few last yards, pushed him away from Josie and hit him in the face with a fist.

"Warned you."

"Don't do it!" Josie shouted, when he raised his hand to strike again. She grabbed his forearm.

"We'll leave now, you'll get up and out. If I see you again, it will not end well." Roger warned him, grabbed Josie's hand and lead her to the backyard.