While they waited for Doctor Johnstone to phone them, Roger did his best to help keep their mind off of the waiting.
Over the weekend, he dragged Rebecca out shopping and like they used to do, they ducked into all of the charity shops they could find to see if anything caught their eyes before he took her to Kensington Market, where Roger told her some of the earlier stories about his time working there.
On Monday, Mary rang and asked if Rebecca wanted to meet up for lunch and just as she was about to turn her down, Roger swiped the phone from her and told her she'd be there.
"What did you do that for?" she asked, crossing her arms as he turned to look at him.
"You haven't seen Mary in ages. And the two of us moping around here isn't going to make time go any faster." he shrugged, "Need to get out, love."
She knew that he was right but she didn't exactly feel as if she was the best company right now. Rebecca didn't know how Roger was able to be so normal right now. A lot is riding on these test results and he's acting as if they're no big deal. She's not angry, she's not. She's envious. She wishes she could push the thought of them to the back of her mind too - even if it's just for a couple of hours.
So that's why agrees to go meet Mary. She wants to act normal and after putting on one of her favourite dresses, she grabs the keys to Roger's car as she walks back downstairs.
"Have a good time, love." he says as she leans over the back of the couch to give him a kiss, "And drive safe."
"I will," she promises, grabbing her coat from its hook, "I'll see you in a couple of hours."
"I love you!" he yells as the door starts to shut behind her, making her smile.
"I love you too!"
||-||
Roger told her that Mary would be at the little cafe that was across the street from Biba - it was always a favourite of theirs when they worked there and they did have some good food.
Mary's already there when Rebecca arrives, waving her over to what used to be their table.
"Hi," she grins, standing up to greet her with a kiss on the cheek.
"Wow," Rebecca sighs as she places her bag on the floor and takes off her coat, "It's been a long time since we've been here, hasn't it?"
"It's been a while since we've seen each other too," Mary points out and she smiles sadly, reaching over to place her hand on hers.
"I know, I'm sorry."
"Don't apologise, Rebecca. It's not your fault." Mary waves a hand, "These things happen. We have a lot to catch up on, don't we?"
They chat away and Rebecca fills her in on what she's been up to, how she's trying to get her business off the ground, how married life is, stuff like that.
"And how's Roger? The band? I feel like I haven't seen them in forever."
"They're good," she nods, "Rog says that he's heard they're going to be asked to play Madison Square Garden but they're still waiting for confirmation from Reid."
"Madison Square Garden?" Mary repeats, "That's incredible. That's one of the biggest venues in the world!"
"I know!" Rebecca gushes, sharing the excitement, "You'll come, right? I mean, Freddie will want you there."
"Oh, I don't know..."
"He's your best friend, Mary."
She lets out a bitter laugh, "Is he? I haven't seen him in weeks and I know they've been busy but...I miss him, Becca and whenever I ring to try and talk to him, Paul's always there."
She knew what Mary was talking about. Just the other week, she'd popped into the studio to give Roger his wallet and Paul had been in the mixing room with Freddie; laughing and joking away while the rest of the band were in the actual studio attempting to make some music.
She could see on even Brian's face that he was reaching the end of his tether and she'd made a quick escape after giving the wallet to her husband.
Tensions were rising.
"So, that's enough about me," Rebecca changed the subject. They were supposed to be out for a nice lunch and she wasn't going to let it be ruined by a conversation about that prick, "What's new with you?"
"Oh," Mary tucked some hair behind her ear, "Not much really. But, well, I've met someone."
Rebecca's mouth fell open, "Not much? Mary Austin, you liar."
She giggles and her friend smiles. She's never seen her act this way since she got with Freddie and it was nice to see the giddy smile that was on her face.
"What's his name?" Rebecca asks, wanting all the gossip she can.
"David. His name is David and Becca, he's lovely. He's funny and charming and his looks, they're just a bonus but honestly, I haven't felt this way about someone in years. It's how I felt when I first got together with Freddie."
"That's good, isn't it?"
She nods, "I think so. But it's still scary. It's all new to me. And..."
"And?" Rebecca leant in eagerly.
"I really like him." was all she said before picking up her mug of tea to take a sip.
"This is exciting," Rebecca grins, "Have you been seeing him long? When will we meet him?"
"It's been a couple of months," Mary nods, "But listen, I'd really like it to keep it quiet for a little longer. I don't...I don't know how Freddie's going to take it."
Rebecca frowns but nods. She's going to respect her friend's wishes besides, she'll tell them in her own time
||-||
Freddie was late again and while everyone was waiting for him to arrive, Brian was sat on the edge of the drum risers, Alice was watching him with a frown on her face. John and Hannah were on the sofa while Roger was sitting on the chair while Rebecca was sat on his lap, the two of them looking through a catalogue of rather expensive vehicles.
"I like this one," Roger points to a large boat, "I think we should get it."
"We're not getting a boat!" Rebecca laughs, "There's nowhere to sail it."
"We could go down the Thames on it," he shrugs, making her shake her head.
"With you at the helm? No thanks."
"I'm a good driver!"
She rolls her eyes and leans in to give him a soft kiss as Brian moves to stand in front of them.
"Everyone up on the drum risers," he instructs and everyone looks at him as if he's gone mad, "Up on the drum risers!"
"You heard the man," Alice grins as she gets up, "Come on!"
"Thank you, Alice. Showing some enthusiasm." Brian kisses her as she climbs up beside him and Rebecca eagerly gets up to go join them.
"Wives too?" John asks and Hannah smacks his arm.
"Yes, John, everyone. I'm not waiting any longer. Roger, come on!"
"Alright," he laughs, stepping up beside Rebecca, who's grinning down at the guitarist, "What's this about?"
"Remember our last concert? The crowd, they were singing our songs back to us. It was deafening...but it was wonderful. They're becoming a part of our show and I wanna encourage that so I've got an idea. Stamp to this beat."
Stomp-stomp...stomp-stomp...stomp-stomp...
Again, they're all looking at him as if he's gone mad.
"Genius,"
"Thank you, John," Brian says, "Well, come on!"
They all do as instructed, stomping in unison and Brian nods in approval.
"Now, I want you to clap on the third beat,"
Stomp-stomp-clap...Stomp-stomp-clap...Stomp-stomp-clap
"Brilliant. Keep that time, Roger." Brian says as he moves to stand behind the piano, just as Freddie walks in, "No Prenter? It's unusual to see you without your clone."
"It's unusual to see you being so bitchy," Freddie retorts.
"That's usually me," Deaky grins and Rebecca laughs, looking at Brian when he stands in front of them once more.
"You kept time, Rog. Good."
Freddie moves to stand beside him, eyes glancing at the group who are still stomping away beside them, "What's going on?"
"You'd know if you were on time," Roger says as he and John stop, the noise slowly fading out as one by one, their wives stop too.
"I'm a performer, darling. Not a Swiss train conductor."
He'd meant it as a joke but obviously, Freddie doesn't see it that way and Roger's smile fades and Rebecca, along with Hannah and Alice, all avert their gaze and Rebecca picks at a loose thread on the back of Roger's shirt.
"I'm sorry I'm late," Freddie said quietly, patting Brian on the shoulder lightly.
"Again."
He looked at John, "Alright. Now, will you please tell me why you're not playing any instruments?"
"I want to give the audience a song that they can perform. Make them feel like they're part of the bad. What can they do?"
He stomps his foot and claps, grinning at the rest of them as they start joining in and when Freddie joins in, Rebecca knows that he's on board and smiles at Roger.
"What's the lyric?"