*Freddie's flashback to the night he met Monica*

Amidst the thumping disco music and the almost blinding lights Freddie was making his way out of the toilet and weaving through the masses of jumping bodies in search for his friend Mary. He passed women in their glittery finery and men in their suave outfits until he spotted the blonde in her lurex minidress, standing still at the edge of the floor where she was before he left to relieve himself. She was not even moving gently to the groove and beat like everyone else in the room, her big blue eyes scanning her surroundings. He'd often go to the clubs with her when his friends couldn't, but tonight he had danced with her all night, and he wanted to have a bit of independence and fun on his own. The trip to the toilet gave him plenty of time to think about what to say to her; knowing Mary he had to be persuasive with her, as she was possessive and one to demand a good explanation.

"Mary! Mary there you are!" He shouted over the loud music as he rushed back over.

"You did what you needed to do?" She asked as she adjusted her bag strap.

"Yes and thanks for waiting on me dear, um listen-"

"What?" She cut across him, knowing he wanted something that was going to make her hang about and watch her ex dance with other men and women.

"I was thinking, maybe we could split up and I could hang around a little on my own for a while?"

Her upper lip stiffened as he looked at her hopefully.

"Why? I need to go home soon." She argued.

"I know, but I want to spend the remainder of my time alone before I leave." He explained calmly.

"Freddie look around... everyone is leaving now!" She exaggerated.

"You sure?" He looked around the club and the loft. And it was still busy as it was when they came in a few hours before.

"Of course I am sure..." Mary rambled on as Freddie looked around a bit more only for his eyes to be stopped by something he saw over her shoulder.

It was a girl. Not a man, but a young woman sitting across the room in one of the booths alone between two booths occupied with people engaged in conversations.

"Everyone is going to be getting high as a kite if we don't leave soon..." Mary continued, Freddie looking back and forth to make it appear that he was listening to her when his attention was now on this alone girl. If he kept his gaze on the girl for too long surely Mary would turn around to find out who had distracted him and try to take him away from her.

He watched her more as Mary pressed on, baffled as to why a boy hadn't sat down beside her with a drink. There she was sipping out of a glass, thick brown wavy hair that curtained her heart-shaped face with sparkling blue eyes that caught the beams of light being thrown across the dark room. Her outfit too was unlike any other girls' dress in the room. She was in fact one of the few women in the room wearing trousers the way she did. Black velvet with embellishment. Feminine yet dominant and eye catching, and most of all androgynous with glamour. He was on the lookout for men, his preference. But he could tell that this girl wasn't like anyone else in the room, and he wanted to know more. He wanted to have more.

"Do you understand what I'm trying to say?" She interrupted his thoughts as he noticed the girl look over in his direction, hoping he caught her attention.

"Uh huh" he replied, wondering why the mysterious brunette was looking so lost (little did he know she was shortsighted).

"Come on then Freddie, I have a night to get on with." Mary finished as he snapped back into reality.

But Freddie had made up his mind. His curiosity got the better of him.

"Sorry Mary... I've got a life to get on with" he looked at her straight in the eyes.

He watched with slight guilt as she let out a sharp sigh and said, "I'll see you in a bit" and made her way towards the womens' toilets.

Now that she was out of his hair he turned to face his chosen destination of the almost deserted club booth, wondering how he would introduce himself...

Several minutes later...

Mary decided enough was enough. The almost hedonistic behaviour and public displays of affection around her had gotten to her knowing Freddie could end up like the people around her if she didn't stop him. Although she was shy she didn't mind partying and clubbing, but seeing her Freddie behave like everyone else was enough to disgust her and make her feel envious.

She stormed across the floor in full alert, but Freddie wasn't where she left him. When she found him, she saw him across the room at one of the bar tables happily talking to a girl.

A girl...

She had to do a double take to make sure it wasn't a man. The girl had her back to Mary, so she couldn't see her face. And the worst bit was that Freddie looked keen in her... much more than he was when she dated him in '70.

"No way..." Mary mumbled as she walked towards the bar area. "I'm not letting a woman take him away his time, let alone a man...."

She had to stop him soon. He had a glimmer if passion in his eyes, and a sense of warmth. Combined, she knew he was falling for her...

***

Back to present setting...

A few weeks in and Monica's job at the restaurant had been going smoothly. Already she was feeling stable and more at home where she was. The pay was decent, the tips could be generous on a good evening and Christina could be an easy going manager if you were focused, which of course Monica was. At evening shifts various types of cakes were leftover in the kitchen that she was allowed to bring back to Freddie. There weren't any problems until one late morning.

"You wouldn't mind wiping all the tables down for me, Monica?" Christina asked as she gathered up some menus.

"Not at all." Monica wiped the back of her hands on her small apron.

"Thank you" her manager nodded before going to the door to tend to two ladies who had just entered the restaurant, those two ladies being Mary Austin and her redheaded friend.

"Oh god Stella it's her! Freddie's new lover! There she is!" Mary whispered in her friend's ear. "The brunette one who's turned away! I didn't know she worked here!"

Monica strolled towards the back the restaurant and into the cleaning store to grab a sponge and disinfectant spray, fortunately oblivious to who had just walked into the restaurant

"Do you want to eat somewhere else?" Stella offered Mary once they had both sat down in a booth, about to sit back up.

"No!" Mary hissed. "Stay! Since she's spoiled my afternoon I might as well spoil hers."

"Oh Mary really?" Her friend said pitifully. "Don't let it or her get to you. Move on from him and leave the girl alone! He didn't even cheat on you with her!"

She sighed, "She's weak, Stella. You should've seen her face at Biba when I told her that she was too big for the dresses because she was! And the way she dealt with it. What a whimp. If I had known that she was going to snatch up Freddie-"

"Your lunch menus" Christina interrupted, handing them out.

They thanked her and Stella resumed her conversation, "When did you next meet her?"

Mary lit her cigarette, "She was talking to him... it was after he told me he wanted to mingle in the club on his own for a while... "I've got a life to get on with", he said to me... and as he said that he appeared so distracted by something. And when I found him again several minutes later they were both sitting at the bar. I know it was her he was looking at earlier."

"Then what?" Stella pestered.

Mary took another drag of her cigarette, "She recognised me from the day before and therefore was being so rude. Freddie didn't even want to leave that stuck-up Irish bitch! He basically told me to leave!"

"Woah there, that's a bit harsh." Stella mumbled.

"Isn't it?" Mary tipped some ashes off. "I mean, we both agreed that we'd leave together and-"

"No, Mary." Stella interrupted. "Don't you think that you are being too harsh on her? And him? It  doesn't sound like him to make you leave. Are you sure you didn't try to make him leave first?"

Before Mary could defend herself she saw Monica approach the booth behind her in the reflection of the mirror that decorated the wall of the booth behind Stella.

"He gave me the money for a taxi while that girl just sat there like a coward, Stella. He was practically forcing me to go home."

The voice made Monica's skin prickle as she reached the bottom of the table, and she nearly stopped wiping. She didn't have to see who it was; she could tell by the voice. It had brought back some unpleasant memories for her. And there was more to come, for Mary decided to make her conversion take a very personal turn.

"Oh Stella, Freddie and I used to have such wonderful times. He was so madly and passionately in love with me that he'd literally sweep me off my feet. When we were in Hawaii he grabbed my hand and lead me around the corner of a beach and we went skinny dipping and-"

"Mary Austin, you wild thang!" Stella cackled, her interruption a relief to Monica at this point.

"Oh Stella it's not going to last. It won't last another month. It simply can't." She said a bit louder. "Freddie played around with a few other guys after me. His experimenting has got to be finished. She's probably only in it for the money. She thinks that just because she's artsy like him and that she shares some traits with him like shyness that she-"

"Are you ready to order?" Christina interrupted, before things could get worse.

Monica felt her breathing hitch and her heart begin to beat uncontrollably. She wasn't done wiping the tables but she didn't care at that point. She wanted out.

Through the corner of her eye Mary saw her rush to the back of the restaurant, a sense of triumph hitting her.

"And you, ma'am?" Mrs Bradley asked her.

"Oh, I'll have a cappuccino please." She said.

Monica didn't want to believe what she heard as she made her way out the back door. Freddie had told her very honestly about his past relationships, but not the way Mary had. She'd never felt more doubtful. After all, she was a one night stand but then he insisted on her coming with him, and she never believed something so beautiful could blossom out of it. Ever since he'd been ever so good to her and respectful, and so far their compatibility was only growing day by day. Their life probably wasn't as exciting as Mary made her time with him out to be, the Hawaii story especially, but Monica wouldn't have wanted it any other way.

But still, as she paced back and forth in the beer garden a lot of questions popped up in her head.

"What if I'll be an old flame... What if Mary is right... What if it isn't serious... what if he isn't serious?"

Suddenly she lost control of her breathing and she collapsed onto her knees as tears streamed down her face.

"Monica? I thought I'd asked you to-" Christina appeared at the back door a few minutes later but was interrupted by the sight.

"M-Mrs Bradley I didn't mean to but I had to get out of there-" she stammered inaudibly.

"Monica what in God's name," she rushed up to her huddled figure. "What happened darling?"

"That blonde woman. Sh-She's my boyfriend's ex."

"What? The one gossiping with the auburn one?" she put an arm around her shaking shoulders.

Monica nodded, "she-she was talking about their old sex life and saying that I was a coward only wanting Freddie's money which I honestly don't and that he was going to be unfaithful to me. Just let me pull myself together and I'll get back to work-"

"Oh dear I'm so sorry she said that. You and I know that isn't true. If you are in it for the money you wouldn't even have a job. You'd be a socialite running around every store in London by day and partying by night, spending his money. I know you're not that kind of girl." Christina shushed her gently and handed her a tissue.

"Oh... definitely not. I don't have the time and confidence." she giggled lightly. "You mean it?"

Her manager nodded, "of course I do. Take your time... it's alright. Sarah is on it inside... we haven't got too many reservations for tonight anyway dear."

"I'm sorry I promise I'll get back in there-"

"You said Freddie had a day off today, didn't you?" She asked her.

Monica nodded, "Mmhm."

"You can go home early." She rubbed her back soothingly. "You're in no state to work at the moment and I'm sure Freddie should know that you're upset. I'm sure he worries about you, and that he's the one who can and it all okay again."

Monica looked up, "you think so?"

She nodded, "Monica, when you both walked in that night, one thing that struck me most was the way he looked at you across the table. He looked at you the way any woman or girl wants to be looked at. Don't listen to that Mary. I'm sure he loves you very much."

Monica felt so flattered, "Oh Christina" she hugged her, "thank you so much once again. I'm sorry. This isn't like me, well, it is, but over the years I've gotten better at holding it together, honestly..."

"It's alright Monica, I believe you. Please don't apologise. Would you live me to give you a lift?"

She nodded, and Christina helped her stand back up gently.

"Deep breaths... that's it... get yourself in a glass of water or cup of tea in the staff room and I'll come back in a few minutes."

"Thank you." Monica said, and they headed back inside.

For the next several minutes Monica had made a tea to calm herself down and sat down in the corner of the small room, and soon enough Christina walked in with a proud smile on her face.

"Get your coat!" She beamed giddily. "I got those two to leave early."

"Oh my gosh!" Monica gasped and giggled, feeling a little better.  "How? What happened?"

"Well," she smirked. "A couple with a baby had just arrived, and those two girls were heavily smoking."

"Oh?" Monica set her cup down.

"They told me that the baby had asthma," Christina continued. "And requested that I ask the other two customers to stop. So, I went over to their table and pointed at the no smoking sign on the wall."

Monica's hand flew up to her mouth as Christina giggled.

"Oh but there's more. After their initial embarrassment I explained to them about the couples' baby and asked them both to leave."

"Christina!" She giggled. "I wish I was there! They must've looked so pissed!"

"I could've photographed their faces." She took Monica's coat and bag off the hanger. "Can you show me the way to your flat?"

Monica stood up and nodded, and soon the two left.

...............................................................................................................

Her early return and distressed state had surprised and worried Freddie greatly as he opened the door. Since she'd been with him he hadn't seen her cry once. He took her up to their room and pulled her close on top of the bed. And quite frankly he was shocked by what she had told him. It was hard to hear as well, and seeing her visibly feeling so defeated hurt him. This happened several minutes before:

***

Freddie was in the hall making his way into the lounge to get his music sitting on top of the piano. He stopped and bent down to stroke a feline passing by as there was a knock on the door.

"God, this better not be a bloody fan... how did they find me here?" He muttered under his breath.

But it wasn't a fan. There was his girlfriend, visibly shaken and blotchy-faced with the nice owner of the restaurant that he took her to not a few weeks before, helping her up the steps.

"Monica... love, what-"

"She had a bit of a wobble at work today," Christina said as he rushed out the door and wrapped an arm around her, lifting her chin. "I thought it'd be best to let her off early."

"How did this happen?" He pulled her to his chest as she started to sob.

"Well, it seems to be personal so I better leave that to her. Is that alright Monica?"

She nodded and snivelled, and Christina turned around to leave.

"Thank you very much for taking her home." Freddie said as he helped her through the door.

"Anytime." Christina nodded as she made her way down the steps. "Take care."

He lifted a hand up in acknowledgment as he rubbed Monica's back in reassurance before shutting the door behind them.

"Awwwww..." he cooed as he pulled her close again. "You know darling, this is the first time I've seen you cry."

"I'm s-so sorry" she blubbered as he held her red face in his hands.

"There's absolutely nothing to be sorry about," he kissed her nose. "Why don't we go upstairs and you tell me what happened, hm?"

"Mmhm" she noised in reply, and he nodded and lead her up the stairs.

And she took a deep breath and told him what happened.

***

"Oh darling I know none of that's true." He rubbed her back soothingly as she sobbed into his chest, practically craving his warmth. "I know that it's nothing to do with money. You absolutely hate me spoiling you!"

She lifted her head as they both giggled a little.

"The Hawaii story though," she snivelled. "Is it true?"

He sighed, "to be quite honest, we didn't even skinny dip once on that trip... and we-we didn't do it much... I still felt so confused about myself back then. The boys were there with us too, so how could we? It'd be too awkward. She tried to make you uncomfortable and mad."

She nodded a little and blushed.

"She always had a tendency to make things up and exaggerate, unfortunately." He mused, caressing her cheek. "I'm so sorry she did that to you. And I'm sorry she treated you that way the night we met. Honestly I felt so embarrassed by her behaviour that night, and that's why I tried to get her to go home."

"It wasn't the first time I met her." She blurted out a minute later as she wiped her eyes.

"What?" He looked down at her in his arms.

"They day before you and I met," she took a deep breath, rubbing his chest. "Paula and I, we went to Biba, and we found a yellow dress that I really liked but I couldn't find one to fit me. And then Mary appeared and asked if I needed help so I asked her if there was one in my size... well first she kinda cut across me and pretended not to understand me..."

She trailed off as Freddie's eyes widened and he obviously appeared to be thinking hard, but then he nodded for her to continue.

"So I asked my question again and she-she-" she murmured groggily. "ugh she made me feel so horrible and ugly and... I don't know, excluded? Out of place... left out... hopeless."

"What did she say?" He asked gently.

"She said that the clothes were only for slender girls and that I wasn't going to get anything from the shop." She breathed hoarsely. "... Small world, eh?" She added, trying to ease the tension, but failing.

Tears slid down her cheeks as she expected the worst reaction. But Freddie only wrapped his arms around her tighter.

"Oh baby why didn't you tell me?" He kissed her head.

"She's you're friend and I-I didn't want to upset you and I was scared you wouldn't believe me."

Freddie sat up a little and, in all seriousness, looked down at her and started to speak.

"Please know that I love you and I promise you I have never been in love the way I am now. The moment I laid eyes on you truly was love at first sight. I never had a feeling like that before. I mean, I was never one to judge by appearance. Personality is a big role for me in terms of love and it's most definitely reflected on the outside as well. I don't give a shit about how you look, Monica. You're beautiful, inside and out."

"Y-You mean it?" She blubbered.

"Of course. You're a strong, brave girl in so many ways."

"Oh I don't know about that." She blushed. "I don't know how you put up with me."

"Hush now." He smiled. "You took a big step moving here."

"But you've been through so much as well." She added. "You know, being frowned upon for your choices... and when you got teased for your smile."

"Oh..." he blushed and put his hand up to his mouth.

"Don't do that! You're hiding the bit that makes you more beautiful than ever!" She giggled a little and pried his hand away. "The fact that you're insecure about your teeth but you won't change them more the sake of doing what you love says a lot to me. Makes you more charming and likeable as well. Just like you said, personality is so important."

"Oh course, personality is what makes a person, obviously. All anyone will ever need is themselves to decide who they are," Freddie winced a little, knowing how dependent he was on others. "and of course there will be bumps along the way, but that's what makes a person."

"I wish you knew how happy you make me feel... always made me feel," she rubbed his chest. "And you don't even have to lift a finger. The sound of your voice and the advice you give me can make my day... that's why I listened to your records back in Belfast... you don't even need to try. Even watching you cooing over the cats like a child makes my day. You smiling at me without hiding it makes my day. "

"Oh darling," all he could do was whisper. "Nobody, not even Mary-Sorry, I didn't mean to bring her up- has ever spoken to me that way. So simple but still... oh Monica you have no idea what it means to me. You have now idea how much I love your way of explaining things. If you ever become a mother-"

He stopped himself, knowing parenting was a sensitive topic for them both, and she lifted her head and looked up at him.

"Please continue." She held his hand. "I want to hear."

"If you ever become a mother... one of the things that I would love most would be the way you'd talk to our...the children..."

He paused again, but she squeezed his hand, "I want to hear it Freddie. It's okay."

"Our children... the way you'd explain the world to our children would be ever so lovely, so that they understand... the way that you explain things to me.  You're more than just the girl in the nightclub... you're extraordinary.... beautiful."

"And you're more than just the rockstar in the night club. Rich or poor I knew I loved you nevertheless. Watching you look at our children the way you looked at me that night with such adoration would melt my heart. Loving them and taking care of them the way you love and take care of me... I can already see it."

"Oh come here you..." he smiled and pulled her closer and kissed her.

"I love you." She whispered when they broke.

"I love you too." He whispered back and nuzzled her, and they both giggled.

"What colour did you say the dress you wanted was? Yellow?" Freddie suddenly asked after a minute's silence.

She nodded, fiddling with the silver chains that fell from his neck, "yes. Buttercup yellow. It's always been my favourite colour. But that experience put me right off it, and the dress."

"What a shame, dear. I was going to see if I could find you one." Freddie bit his lip, a little suggestively as well, causing her to blush.

"You'll only waste your money and time. Come to think of it yellow actually doesn't suit me very well, but it definitely looks so good on you." She said, referring to the yellow buttoned down polo shirt that he happened to be wearing as she softly stroked some of his exposed chest hair.

"You think so?" He smiled, his eyes hovering to her lips.

"Oh yes." She wrapped her arms around him and caught the bottom of the shirt, swiftly peeling it off. "But you also look good without yellow, or anything for a matter of fact."

He rolled her under him, "you know, I was a little disappointed when you didn't come home with cake but I think that this is much better, don't you?"

She bit her lip, "much better than cake."

"You know me well" he smirked before leaning down to slide his tongue into her lips.