You're My Best Friend • Roger Taylor

• 53 •

November 26th 1979

Barbara had decided to go to Japan with Roger from October to December before he would begin touring with Queen from January. At first she had been hesitant, but Roger was extremely happy that she could and wanted to come with him. The doctor had advised that she shouldn't spend too much time abroad due to having to have check ups too.

Nonetheless, Barbara was having a good time in Japan with her second family, Roger and the rest of the Queen boys along with their roadies and management (apart from Paul). Freddie had celebrated Halloween in his hotel room with everyone and it was just like old times. It was a breath of fresh air for Barbara, the travelling and the fun without having to deal with the stress of staying up most nights for a show and constant travelling.

Barbara felt more secure after leaving to have a break from being at home and being abroad with the boys. It was a way of easing her back into the lifestyle that she had before she was famous for being a singer and model. In fact, a lot of the time she couldn't stop smiling and neither could Roger, they hadn't yet revealed the apparent gender of the baby to Freddie, Brian and Deaky or anyone else for that matter. Not many people knew of the news apart from themselves, the band, Jim Beach, Paul Prenter and most people who worked around or with Queen along with their families. Barbara and Roger had been surprised that Paul hadn't let his mouth spill the news to journalists or paparazzi.

Before leaving for Japan, Barbara had been to the Doctor for her check up and ultrasound to find out the gender of the baby and it was also the day that she'd been advised by the doctor about travelling and how once the baby was born, even after having injections, it would still be quite a challenge with how frequent and often we'd change hotels - not that Barbara really wanted to travel on tour with a newborn baby, she felt as though she wouldn't ever have the confidence to.

Right now it was fine, while she had Roger and her friends and the information was on the down low. With how supportive Roger had been since they'd been to Truro to see their families, he'd reassured her constantly and had come to the ultrasound with the most excited look on his face throughout the whole check up. It was an uplifting, yet discreet situation and Barbara couldn't wait to tell Freddie and the rest. Roger was jumping for joy afterwards, even though he'd expressed the fact that he didn't mind too much, whether it was a girl or boy.

Barbara's P.O.V

I'd insisted on staying in the hotel room for my birthday, listening to music and playing board games like we did for Roger's birthday this year. I wanted it to be relaxed. I was afraid that if we went out then it would've been a bit miserable, not being able to drink or have a smoke, being completely surrounded by dancing people - I didn't want that right now, perhaps if I wasn't pregnant it would've been a different story, I was fine with spending company with my favourite people.

Roger, Freddie and me had left our hotel with Crystal and he drove us around in the morning, Freddie insisted on stopping off at a dessert place to take away a few treats for tonight. I was sandwiched between the boys and Crystal followed close behind us. A lot of people recognised us, it was lucky that we had a car, I was anxious but smiled over at a few people, sending them shy waves.

"What do you fancy, my love?" Freddie asks as he gestures towards the selection of desserts on show, "The honey toast looks rather nice - or the - Mochi? Oh goodness - it all looks delicious!" Freddie then wraps an arm around my waist tightly, my head falling on his shoulder at the same time, "We could get it all if we wanted to!"