POV Roger

After the Rainbow Theater show, the boys and I did some more presentations with Queen at Imperial College. Our living conditions are not the best. I still live with Les, Mike and Peter in a small apartment, I have my bedroom which is a cubicle. We live near the River Thames on Kew Road in Richmond. Freddie and Mary live in a rented apartment in Kensington and had to share the kitchen with another couple. The apartment is a cubicle and even Freddie's grand piano serves as no bedside for Mary and him. Mary paid a heavy cost because of her work in the Biba stores. Deacy, now a father, lives with Veronica in a rented room in Parsons Green. And soon they will get married. Bri, before marrying Ivy, lived in a rented apartment with Chrissy, a cubicle too, and they fed only on fish and chips. Now married to Ivy and living in her rented apartment, she helps her with little money for the expenses, after all we are not earning almost anything. Ivy that sustains virtually everything. Our situation is not easy.

At the beginning of December, I asked for an advance to Trident Studios, to rent a better apartment, to live in better conditions. Freddie also asked for an advance to rent a new apartment to live with Mary and buy a new grand piano, Bri wanted an advance too, for him to help in the daily expenses with Ivy, after all he thought it was unfair that everything was on his wife's back. Our three requests were denied.

Deacy's case was more urgent. Veronica, who had been pregnant for two months, had to undergo some medical exams and prenatal care and would have to pay for the exams. Deacy also wanted to rent a larger apartment, after all Veronica and he will get married soon and have the baby. Then Deacy asked for an advance for four-thousand-pound Trident Studios.

Bri, Freddie and I went with Deacy. Trident denied our requests, but Deacy has to accept. It's an exceptional case.

"Unfortunately we can not make that advance now, Deacon. "Said Norman Sheffield. - Maybe in two months ...

"But I need this money now," Deacy said irritably. "My girlfriend is pregnant, she needs to get tested, we need to get out of the little apartment we live in." Soon my son will be born.

"I'm sorry, but you'll have to wait." Said Norman, lighting a cigarette.

- Wait longer what? - Angry - My friends and I have been recording the band's albums here for over two years, we've toured, sold records and we do not see the color of the money enough. We live in absolute poverty and you ask Deacy to wait? FUCK, HE WILL BE FATHER AND NEEDS A NEW HOUSE, VERONICA NEEDS TO MAKE THE EXAMS AND YOU NEGA ADVANCE TO HIM FOR HIM? MY FRIEND IS WHAT YOU NEED MORE MONEY NOW! DAMN YOU!

"You better control yourself, Taylor," Norman said irritably.

- CHECK A FUCK! YOU ARE STEALING PEOPLE, YOU ARE MAKING MONEY AT THE COST OF QUEEN, BUT THAT WILL NOT BE YOUR MERCENARY, THE SON OF THE BITCH. He shouted.

Bri, Deacy, Freddie and I were in Norman's office, so I saw a crystal on Norman's desk, it was actually a crystal that had the symbol of Venice. I picked up the crystal and threw it to the floor, shattering everything. I threw papers to the floor, knocked over folders, kicked chairs. Norman looked at me in amazement.

Deacy and Bri held me.

- Calm Rog, stay calm, my friend. Said Deacy. "Do not hurt yourself.

- THAT'S NOT WILL BE, NORMAN. We'll get a lawyer to get us out of TRIDENT, "I shouted.

Freddie, Deacy, and Bri got me out of the office. The four of us left Trident Studios and got into my car. I was the most nervous.

"Rog, please calm down." Deacy asked. "Unfortunately the damned will not make the advance for me. It's no use breaking your office.

"That's unfair, Deacy. He said looking at my friend. "Did he deny you an advance?" Damn, that's not right. I said turning on my car.

"Dear Rog, we'll find a way. We'll help Deacy and Veronica pay for at least the medical tests. Said Freddie.

I left in the car and went to Bri and Ivy's apartment. Today is Saturday and Ivy invited us to lunch. Veronica is already at her apartment.

When we arrived we told Ivy and Veronica what happened. Ivy was in her apron, her hair tied. Even so she looks beautiful.

"My love, I'm sorry for giving you all this trouble," Veronica said with tears in her eyes.

"My love, do not say that," Deacy commented. "Our baby will come in good health and have all the love in the world. I will give much love to our son and to you.

At that moment Deacy stroked Veronica's belly.

"We'll soon be husband and wife." I love you, Veronica. We will have a beautiful family and everything will work out. I swear to you that I will give a life of comfort to you and our baby in the future. Deacy kissed her lips.

Ivy, Freddie, Bri and I were thrilled.

"John, Veronica, I have something to say. Ivy commented.

Veronica and John looked at her.

"I know the medical tests that Veronica needs to do are expensive. I want to help them. I'll pay for the medical exams. Ivy said.

- What? Deacy said in amazement.

"I'll pay for the necessary medical tests." Ivy smiled. "You are my friends and I see the situation you are experiencing. Veronica, my dear, I'll make the money transfer to your account on Monday.

Veronica and Deacy had their eyes full of tears and hugged Ivy with all the tenderness.

"Ivy, I do not know how to thank you. Commented Deacy. "You're an angel in our lives. In everyone's life.

"My friend, I will be eternally grateful," said Veronica crying.

"Do you know what I want in return?" May all of you always be my friends, be with me. This is what I want. I love you. Ivy smiled.

At that moment we all hugged Ivy.

POV Ivy

On Monday I transferred the money to Veronica's current account so she could pay for all exams. I'm already on vacation from the Master's College, but, the work in the restaurant continues. I gained a lot of experience as a Chef, but, there is still a main Chef in the restaurant. He came up to me and said,

"Ivy, I have some good news: our boss told me to indicate between you and the other two Chefs at the restaurant, to see who was best able to win a Confectionery course in Paris in February. And I indicated you. The course will last one month, you will stay in Paris, in a hotel, with everything paid and the course paid. You have shown a great professional of Gastronomy and deserve this course. I have done this course in Paris before and I assure you that it is very important.

"Paris, the City of Light?" I know Paris, I went there in my late teens for a walk. It's a lovely city. And now will I go to learn the most important confectionery techniques in the world? Of course I accept. My French course will be of great value, finally. It will be wonderful for me. It will be something else in my resume. He said with a smile. "Jean, thank you for pointing me out.

"You deserve Ivy." Actually your French course you will put into practice now. How long have you been taking the course? Asked Jean.

- A year ago. I know the basics of French, but I can do very well. And on what date will I travel? I asked.

"On the first of February you will be leaving for Paris and returning to London on the first of March. You deserve every success. Jean said smiling.

I hugged my friend and thanked the opportunity offered.

For now, I will not talk to Bri or my friends. I want to make them a New Year surprise. I'm sure they'll be happy for me.

Quickly the month of December was passing. The city is decorated for the Christmas holidays. I learned from the boys that EMI's Bob Mercer put QUEEN in contact with attorney Jim Beach of the Harbotte & Lewis law firm. Beach acquired copies of the band's contracts with Trident and started looking for some way out. EMI's Mercer also had many problems with Trident Studios. Beach asked the boys a little patience, saying that by next year, the whole legal matter will be resolved and QUEEN will no longer have contract with Trident Studios.

Christmas was approaching. On December 20, John and Veronica traveled to Leicester to spend Christmas with their families and promised to return on the 30th of December to spend the New Year with us.

Igor, my beloved brother arrived in London on December twenty-first. He will spend the holidays with me. Unfortunately our parents did not come. They really do not accept my relationship with Brian. Igor will be in London until January 10. Then I will return with him to Rio de Janeiro and spend two weeks in the Marvelous City, visiting my relatives. Bri will not go with me, then, you have to sort things out. When I return, I will have to prepare my trip to Paris.

The rest of my friends will spend Christmas in London. This year Winifred, Clare and Roger will not go to Truro. So I invited Rog, his mother and sister to spend Christmas and New Year with me, Bri and my brother. They accepted.

On Christmas Eve, Bri's parents, my brother Igor, Roger, Clare, and Winifred were in my apartment. Bri was glad we were together with them. Freddie was with his family. On Christmas Day, they all passed us again. Clare and Winifred helped me with the Christmas dinner.

New Year's Eve was celebrated in Clare and Winifred's apartment. John and Veronica were with us. Rog had already drunk a little beyond the bill and in a certain moment delivered a glass of champagne to me and said smiling.

"Let's toast our friendship, my angel. May the year of 1975 that is about to come will be of great prosperity for us, Ivy and that our friendship may grow more and more. Cheers!

- Cheer my dear drummer boy. I smiled at him and had the champagne.

Then he wanted to put more champagne in his cup but I took it from him.

"Rog, you've had too much to drink, and it's not midnight yet. He said with a smile.

"It's a party night, Ivy. Night to renew our hopes. He said, smiling angelically at me.

Rog has a smile so sweet, so beautiful. I hugged him smiling.

Soon midnight arrived and we all wished each other a Happy New Year. Bri popped a new champagne and toasted. Finally 1975.

On the first of January we all had lunch at Clare's apartment. After lunch there was dessert. After everyone ate I said,

"My dear friends, I have something important to communicate to you. I want to share with you all. As you know, on the 10th of January I will go to Rio de Janeiro with my brother Igor. I will spend fifteen days in the Marvelous City to visit my Brazilian friends and family and take a lot of sun on the beach, after all it is summer in Brazil.

"Lucky for your friend, to take a bronze in Rio de Janeiro, which is summer all year long, while here in London it's cold. Clare smiled.

"I'll take you to Brazil one day, Clare. I'm sure you'll love it. She said with a smile.

"Unfortunately, I will not go with you, my love. - Bri said - I have to settle the band's issues.

"My love, there will be no lack of opportunity. I said kissing him on the lips. "And I'm going to Rio because I miss my relatives, Bri.

- I understand you my princess. Said Bri, taking a glass of beer.

"After I come back from Rio de Janeiro, I'll soon have to travel again, but this time to Paris." I'll stay in the Light City for a month, "I said, and at this moment everyone looked at me.

"One month my sister, but why so long?" Asked Igor.

- Because in the restaurant where I work, I was appointed as an exemplary Chef and I won a course of Patisserie with everything paid in Paris. I will stay in a hotel with everything paid for. Of course I did. I travel to Paris on the first of February. He said with a smile.

"Wonderful news, Ivy. - Roged smiled rising and hugged me - My friend, congratulations. You deserve. You are competent. One more course of Confectionery in Paris. It will be very important for your Gastronomy career.

- Of course, Rog. I already know Paris. I was in my teens, but now, as well as touring the City of Light, I will also be learning the most important culinary techniques in the world. She said with a smile.

Then my brother hugged me and wished me luck. Everyone hugged me, except Bri. I was amazed. I did not receive a hug, congratulations even from my husband. I looked at Bri. Everyone looked at him. He noticed, looked at me and said:

"A month away from me, Ivy?" More than a month to speak the truth. First you will go to Rio de Janeiro, you will spend the next fifteen days visiting your family, and when you come back you will stay with me for another week, and then you will go to Paris and you will not see me for another month? Will I stay for a month without your company?

"Bri, my love, a month passes quickly. I'll be taking a course. It is very important for my professional training. - I said.

- I do not agree. You will not go to Paris. Said authoritarian Bri.

I've missed your way.

"Of course I will." Passage area was already bought, hotel was already booked. I'll go Bri, whether you like it or not. She said resentfully.

"You are my wife and owe me obedience." He said in a louder voice.

They all looked at us in silence.

"I am your wife, not your servant, I am not submissive to any man. I've never complained about your touring with the boys, Brian. I've been fifteen, twenty, thirty days without seeing you, my dear, you'll survive my absence for a month too. I'll go Brian, period! He said with a steady hand.

Brian looked at me angrily and left everyone.

Roger came up to me and hugged me.

"Bri will understand that you must go to Paris and be absent one month, Ivy. What matters is that everyone here is happy for you. Let's make a toast to Ivy for that achievement. Rog said smiling.

Everyone toasted me and soon the laid back atmosphere returned. As for Brian, he was gone. I see that I will have serious problems with my husband.

To be continued...