You've Got To Hide Your Love Away

Don't Forget To Smile...Part 1

Introduction -  Welcome to my first attempt at a longer story as well as my first Maylor work.  I hope you can find something you like about it.  I will try to be diligent about chapter updates.  This will contain multiple POV's.  I am on a learning curve with dialogue so I appreciate your patience.  

Note - While trying to consider real events for storytelling, some timelines may not be accurate.  This is a work of fiction so no implication of any factual events is implied.  Enjoy!

CAUTION - MATURE CONTENT

Summer 1969 - London

It was such a perfect summer.  Man was on the Moon.  London was still a major scene for popular music and culture.  Young adults were the most important group in Western society and the world was theirs for the taking.  Brian May felt the future was bright.  At 22, he was enrolled at Imperial College and was making marks as a student of physics and astronomy.  His parents were happy and proud of his education.  They were not thrilled with this other aspiration.  Rock and Roll and academics were not something they felt mixed well.  Their only child needed to remain focused and serious about studying, not performing.  Brian understood their feelings but couldn't help his passion for music.  His band Smile was as important as his degree.

Roger Taylor was excited for his new freedom as a student in London.  While he was not entirely serious about his studies, he loved being in the big city and meeting new people.  Having switched from Dentistry to Biology, he felt a bit weary of school and was more interested in playing in a band.   Since he had met Brian and became part of Smile, he felt he had a purpose and happiness.  Turning 20 this summer had made him feel more confident about his future.  He wanted to be a star!  While their singer and bass player, Tim, left the band, their friend Freddie joined the group.  Roger felt they could really do something.

Since most of their time revolved around the band and music, they had organically moved into each others lives.  No one had any real money and with decreasing student funds, the need to pool resources became critical.  With luck, they landed in a flat shared with some fellow students.  With couches, floor space and 3 mattresses pushed together, communal living was a reality.  Some of their roomies were girls but it seemed to work.  Freddie, Roger, Brian, Eric, Susan and Mandy  - they all survived together.

The roommates loved to hang out with each other and were surprised how well they all got along.  Many nights were spent sharing wine, cigarettes and other substances, when available.   If the band had a gig, the party always ended up in the shared flat.

Roger's POV

I felt high after the Templar Gate show.  Well, high from playing and getting a reaction from the crowd.  Our new lineup was really starting to take shape.  While we struggled to find a good bass player, the other three of us seemed to gel.  We had something.  

Our roomie Eric had a car and helped me haul my kit from the gig back to the flat.  Mandy rode with us as we laughed about one of the audience members who kept shouting at Freddie.  They were a bit too much; even for Freddie.  Brian even had a fan tonight.  They were mesmerized by his playing.  It was great to see him get some recognition.  I had a few ladies hanging by my kit by the end of the show.  Two were really cute; but kind of dumb.  The other was really pretty and I felt a possibility.  Her boyfriend showed up just as I was giving her a pull.  Too bad...

Eric and Mandy helped me bring my kit inside the flat and others ran out to grab the rest of the equipment.  Once inside, I noticed the party gearing up.  The lighting was dark and the air a bit smoky.  You could make out the lingering sweetness of incense mixed with tobacco and pot.  Wine glasses and beer bottles clinked and the room was warm with cheer.  I saw Freddie in the corner chair with Susan in his lap.  Several others were gathered round and were laughing at Freddie's banter.  He sure knew how to entertain.